EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST!
Gilead Kay and Deborah L. Stewart
WHY US?
- We have over 50 years of combined experience as lawyers practicing in the area of family law and dispute resolution
- We are accredited (OAFM) Mediators – trained and qualified to practice in the area of family mediation
- We are experienced in dealing with a variety of family matters including high conflict parenting situations, and parents who require a parenting coordinator
- We have a roster of highly qualified lawyers who provide independent legal advice to participants before the agreement is finalized
GILEAD KAY
EXPERIENCE: Over 20 years in Family Law
EDUCATION:
- University of Toronto (B.A.)
- York University – Osgood Hall Law School (L.L.B.)
- Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM)
MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS/PANEL MEMBERSHIP:
- Family Law Association (FLA)
- Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM)
- Ontario Bar Association (OBA)
- Office of the Children’s Law (OCL)
- Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
- ARCH Disability Law Center
- Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO)
PUBLICATIONS:
- Lexis Nexis – Lexis Practice Advisor Canada.
- CLE training programs
A little bit more about Gilead…
I am a Family lawyer who has practiced in all areas of Family Law and at all court levels, for over twenty years. I have practiced extensively in all areas of family and child protection law, including as lead counsel for the Family Responsibility Office. I am also an Accredited Family Mediator (OAFM). For over 10 years, I have been an active member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) panel and Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) panel, including custody/access matters, child protection matters and openness/adoption matters.
I have handled thousands of cases on behalf of the Family Responsibility Office both as counsel for the Family Responsibility Office in Toronto and as payor’s counsel. I have appeared as counsel for the Family Responsibility Office throughout Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area and I have appeared as their counsel before the Court of Appeal.
I am currently one of a limited number of lawyers, in Toronto, who the OCL regularly appoints to act on behalf of child(ren) in Openness Applications. I have extensive trial experience, and I have conducted a number of secure treatment hearings on behalf of the OCL. I have done extensive work with clients who are undergoing treatment for addiction/mental health issues as well as clients who have suffered from domestic violence. I have completed training on domestic violence, as well as significant training in screening for domestic violence clients in the context of Family Mediation.
I have been a presenter and speaker at continuing legal education programs focused on the Family Responsibility Office and Child Protection law. I authored the section “Responding to FRO Enforcement” of the 2015: Lexis Nexis – Lexis Practice Advisor Canada.
DEBORAH L. STEWART
EXPERIENCE: Over 30 years in Family Law
EDUCATION:
- University of Toronto (B.A. Economics and Commerce)
- University of Toronto (L.L.B)
- Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM)
- Trained Parenting Coordinator
- Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) in Child Protection matters
- Trained Mediator in Openness matters
MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS/PANEL MEMBERSHIP:
- Family Law Association (FLA)
- Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM)
- Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL)
- Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
- Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO)
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
- ARCH Disability Law Centre
A little bit more about Deborah…
I am a Senior Family lawyer who has practiced in all areas of Family Law and at all court levels, for over thirty years. I have practiced as a lawyer in in the following areas for more than two decades: child and spousal support, s. 7 expenses, equalization of net family property, unequal property claims, child protection, and custody and access matters.
I am an Accredited Family Mediator (OAFM), with experience in parenting plans and coordination, complex custody/access matters, child protection matters, domestic violence, child and spousal support, complex property issues (including unequal division of net family property claims).
I am a qualified and trained Parenting Coordinator.
For over 25 years, I have been an active member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) panel, including custody/access matters and child protection matters.
I have conducted numerous CLE training programs in a variety of areas of family law and child protection law. I am also a founding Board member and trainer of mediation interns at WillowTree Mediation Services, a non profit community based mediation service operating in Toronto.
I have acted on behalf of a number of hearing impaired and visually impaired persons, as well as those with serious physical challenges, (including quadriplegic). I am currently one of a limited number of lawyers, in Toronto, who the OCL regularly appoints to act on behalf of child(ren) in Openness Applications.