I have been practicing in the field of law exclusively for over 28 years. For 20 of those years, my practice has been limited exclusively to the practice of family law. I act as both counsel and, more recently, as a family mediator.
Family law is about people. My philosophy is that people going through divorce need knowledge about their rights and obligations, certainty as to where the process will leave them and guidance to get them to the end of the process with dignity and fairness. My practice focus is on client education. Educated clients have reasonable expectations, are more closely involved in the management of their case and are more invested in the resolution of their affairs. I will always guide clients towards settlement and towards a cost effective and child focused resolution of their issues.
I have extensive litigation experience representing clients in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Family Division and in Ontario Appellate Courts. I am a member of the Ottawa Collaborative Law Panel and a former lecturer for the Law Society of Upper Canada Bar Admission Course.
I received my law degree at Queens University to which I was accepted after two years of undergraduate studies at Carleton University in Commerce. I am admitted to practice law by the Law Society of Upper Canada in all Ontario Provincial Courts and have offered services as far afield as Red Lake, Ontario.
I have been (and still am) an avid soccer player for my entire adult life. I live in Ottawa’s West end with my wife, Michele Hamilton (a parenting mediator) and am blessed with four adult children and a wonderful grandchild.
The following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson proudly hangs on my wall (a gift from my wife) which guides my professional and personal life):
“The definition of success? To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived- this is to have succeeded!”
