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We assist busy family law lawyers and select appeal clients by providing high-quality, creative, and cost-efficient advice and research-related services. Our strategic and practical services are customized to your particular file, taking into account your timelines and workflow schedule. By providing research and advice you can trust, you can focus on other critical tasks. |
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- Services
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Litigation and dispute resolution strategies, brainstorming potential resolutions, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a case |
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Drafting factums, statements of law, submissions, and other court documents |
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Drafting and advising on appeal materials (e.g., seeking or opposing leave to appeal, stay pending appeal materials, further evidence on appeal materials, and substantive appeal materials including the notice of appeal and factum) |
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Lengthier legal opinions / research memos |
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Shorter emails / informal memos highlighting relevant legislation, cases, and commentary |
Our Approach
We are service-oriented and dedicated to making your practice more manageable. We know how challenging your job can be, and that family law clients rely on their lawyers to handle their private and often most important issues.
We also understand the realities of everyday practice and where research fits within the overall context of a particular file.
More than “Just” Research
We provide a unique service where needed that goes beyond just research – we collaborate with ours clients to help them develop innovative arguments and new strategies to resolve complex and multi-faceted legal and emotional family law issues.
Our clients benefit from our specialized knowledge and focus, honed over a combined 25+ years in traditional and non-traditional family law settings. Given our experiences, we are particularly well-equipped to offer solid and strategic insight, in a helpful and respectful way. This may include advice and research related to:
- the strengths and weaknesses of a case,
- creative suggestions on offers/settlement, or
- the types of evidence a court or arbitrator is likely to find convincing.
Appeal Services
In addition to assisting lawyers with appeals, Lam Family Law provides direct services to litigants involved in family law appeals in select cases. In general, appeals are complex, technical, and extremely challenging to navigate without assistance.
We strongly believe in providing access to justice for families in the context of appeals. Thus, we provide the following services on appeals:
- consulting services and/or formal written opinions to help clients assess the potential merits of an appeal, and/or to explain the steps, procedure, and likely costs of an appeal,
- strategic advising on key appeal decision points, on an “unbundled/limited scope” services basis,
- drafting appeal materials, on an “unbundled/limited scope” services basis,
- appearing in court as your agent, on an “unbundled/limited scope” services basis, and/or,
- full representation on an appeal, including appearing in court on your behalf and corresponding with the other parties/lawyers and the court, as needed.
- About Us
About Vanessa Lam
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Vanessa has been providing freelance legal advice and research-related services to other family law lawyers since 2012. By focusing on family law strategy, research, and written advocacy, she’s developed a specialized expertise. Vanessa can quickly grasp important issues and apply the law and a common-sense approach to a particular scenario based on this expertise and her past related experiences.
After graduating from Queen’s Law at the top of her class, Vanessa clerked for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and then worked at a prominent boutique family law firm in Toronto. She started as a traditional associate, but was fortunate to transition her work to align more closely with her interests in research, knowledge management, and appeal work.
Vanessa is a frequent speaker at continuing professional development programs for other lawyers, including programs hosted by the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, and Law Society of Ontario.
In addition to speaking at and contributing papers to continuing professional development programs, she authors and co-authors (with Rebecca Winninger) various “Family Law Appeals” documents, published on LexisNexis Practical Guidance as part of the Family Law Litigation Resource Kit (Ontario). Vanessa also co-authors (with Ann Wilton and Gary Joseph) Cohabitation Law in Ontario published by Thomson Reuters and available on WestLawNext Canada.
She has also developed plain language family law materials for the public through her various roles with CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario).
Vanessa can be reached at vanessa@lamfamilylaw.ca.
Education
- Called to the Ontario Bar (2009)
- Juris Doctor (JD) from Queen’s University (2008)
- University Medal in Law – Highest Standing (highest cumulative grade point average for the program)
- The Law Society of Ontario
- The Ontario Bar Association
- Public Affairs Liaison of the Family Law Section’s Executive Committee (2022 to 2023)
- Newsletter Editor of the Family Law Section’s Executive Committee (2021 to 2022)
- Public Affairs Liaison of the Family Law Section’s Executive Committee (2019 to 2021)
- Volunteer and Member-at-Large of the Family Law Section’s Executive Committee (2018 to 2019)
- The Canadian Bar Association
- Member-at-Large of the National Family Law Section’s Executive Committee (2018 to 2023)
- Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
- Women’s Law Association of Ontario
- Co-Author with Kayleigh Pink, “Proceed With Caution: The Reluctance and Risks of Surreptitious Recordings in Family Law Proceedings”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 38(9), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2025.
- Speaker, Family Law Update for Family Mediators (mediate393, November 2024). Vanessa spoke on updates that mediators need to know in key areas of family law.
- Speaker, Fifteenth Annual Bread and Butter Issues in Family Law (Ontario Bar Association, September 20, 2024). Vanessa, Rebecca Winninger, and the Honourable Justice Diamond spoke on the recognition and impact of a foreign divorce.
- Speaker, 2024 National Family Law Program (Federation of Law Societies of Canada, July 22-25, 2024). Vanessa and Rebecca Winninger spoke on the recognition and impact of a foreign divorce. Their paper “Recognition and Impact of a Foreign Divorce in Canada” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2024) 43 Can Fam LQ 231.
- Speaker, 2024 National Family Law Program (Federation of Law Societies of Canada, July 22-25, 2024). Vanessa and Kayleigh Pink spoke on expert evidence in family law and possible alternatives.
- Speaker, 33rd Annual Institute of Family Law (County of Carleton Law Association, April 5-6, 2024). Vanessa spoke about family law appeals.
- Speaker, The 18th Family Law Summit (Law Society of Ontario, March 20-21, 2024). Vanessa and Maria Golarz spoke on costs in family law proceedings. Their paper “Frequently Asked Questions: Family Law Costs in Ontario” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2024) 43 Can Fam LQ 45.
- Speaker, Ontario Legal Conference: Family, Estates and Real Estate Law (Ontario Bar Association, February 7-8, 2024). Vanessa spoke on how family law case law and practices have developed in the approximately three years since major changes were made to Canada’s Divorce Act and Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act.
- Program Co-chair, Matrimonial Home Deep Dive (Ontario Bar Association, November 17, 2023).
- Speaker, A Guide for Law Practice Transitions to Part-Time and Alternative Practice Arrangements (Law Society of Ontario, November 4, 2023). Vanessa spoke about her experience transitioning to an alternative practice arrangement.
- Speaker, Fourteenth Annual Bread and Butter Issues in Family Law (Ontario Bar Association, October 6, 2023). Vanessa spoke with Michael Zalev on starting, restarting, and moving your case.
- Speaker, Ethical Considerations in Family Law: Codifying Changes in the Model Code and Beyond (Canadian Bar Association, September 20, 2023). Vanessa and John-Paul Boyd, KC, led the discussion on why family law is different and raises unique ethical considerations.
- Speaker, Osgoode Certificate in Family Law Skills and Practice (Osgoode Professional Development, April 2023 and March 2022). Vanessa spoke on factum drafting and written advocacy.
- Speaker, CanLII Research in Family Law (Family Lawyer’s Association, March 2023).
- Speaker, Legal Drafting in Family Law (Family Lawyer’s Association, March 2023).
- Speaker, Ontario Legal Conference: Family, Trusts and Estates Law (Ontario Bar Association, February 8, 2023). Vanessa spoke on little used but extremely helpful provisions in family law statutes and regulations. Her material, co-authored with Shmuel Stern, was subsequently published in the Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 36(11) and Volume 36(12), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2023.
- Speaker, Conduct of the Family Law Motion (The Advocates’ Society, October 27, 2022). Vanessa spoke on factum drafting and written advocacy.
- Speaker, The 16th Family Law Summit (Law Society of Ontario, March 28-29, 2022). Vanessa spoke on jurisdiction issues. Her paper “Jurisdiction Issues Facing Ontario Courts” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2022) 40 C.F.L.Q. 294.
- Speaker, Serving the Family: Unpacking the Intersecting Issues in Family, Estates and Real Estate Law (Ontario Bar Association’s Institute Series, February 2, 2022). Vanessa spoke on what’s new in family law (mainly on changes to the Family Law Rules).
- Speaker, The Six-Minute Family Law Lawyer 2021 (Law Society of Ontario, December 1, 2021). Vanessa spoke on determining the valuation date. Her paper “Determining the V-Date: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, When Can I Stop Sharing Property with You?” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2022) 40 C.F.L.Q. 193.
- Speaker, 15th Family Law Summit (Law Society of Ontario, April 12-13, 2021). Vanessa spoke on family law appeals. Her material, some of which was co-authored with Frances Wood, was subsequently published in the Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 34(11), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2021.
- Speaker, Institute Series: Serving the Family (Ontario Bar Association, February 3-4, 2021). Vanessa spoke on recent family law legislative updates (mainly on relocation and updated appeal routes).
- Speaker, Motions to Change: Your Complete Guide – Part 2: Navigating Motions to Change in the COVID Era (Ontario Bar Association, July 21, 2020). Read Vanessa’s related articles “A Huge Problem Without a Clear Answer: COVID-19 and Support Obligations (Part 1 of 2)” and “Access to Justice Challenges: COVID-19 and Support Obligations (Part 2 of 2)”.
- Speaker, Parenting During a Pandemic – What Family Law Lawyers Should Know (Canadian Bar Association, May 11, 2020). Please contact Vanessa if you would like a copy of her paper 10 Themes from the COVID-19 Parenting Case Law.
- Speaker, Divorce Act Amendments: Open Dialogue on Continuity & Change in Custody (Ontario Bar Association, October 24, 2019). Read Vanessa’s paper “Divorce Act Amendments: Overview of Amendments Most Likely to Impact School & Education-Related Issues”.
- Verdicts and Voices: The use of AI at the Federal Court, the tort of family violence, and R v. Drybones (The Canadian Bar Association Modern Law: Verdicts and Voices podcast, March 2025).
- Diversity of family violence (CBA National, November 22, 2022).
- Ontario Bar Association Honours Legal Superstars at Annual Awards Gala (Ontario Bar Association News, June 10, 2022).
- Law’08 grad named Ontario Bar Association’s top volunteer (Queen’s Law News, August 20, 2021).
- A wave of domestic violence, divorce and custody cases comes as court backlogs rise (Canadian Lawyer, June 26, 2020).
- ‘No one knows what tomorrow will bring:’ Urgent matters for kids, families persist as pandemic rages (Canadian Lawyer, March 26, 2020).
About Maria Golarz
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Maria has been providing legal advice and research-related services to other family law lawyers since 2013. Before joining Lam Family Law, she provided comprehensive legal research and strategic advice on family law and child protection issues at Legal Aid Ontario for over six years. She has experience dealing with all areas of family and child protection law, with a particular interest in parenting and support, and has litigated on behalf of clients at various levels of court.
While at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, she volunteered with Downtown Legal Services, providing direct services to clients as well as serving on the Board.
She currently sits on the Board of the Family Lawyers’ Association (FLA), where she often organizes and chairs educational webinars in family law, and volunteers with Kids Help Phone. She has also contributed to LexisNexis’ Practical Guidance on family law issues, and has written for the Family Law Section newsletter of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA).
Maria is a skilled researcher and dedicated advocate, committed to delivering the best law and strategy for your case.
Maria can be reached at maria@lamfamilylaw.ca.
- Called to the Ontario Bar (2011)
- Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Toronto (2010)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minors in Behavioural Science and English Literature (B.Arts) from McGill University (2006)
- The Law Society of Ontario
- Family Lawyers Association (Ontario)
- Board Member (2022 to present)
- Ontario Association of Child Protection Lawyers
- The Hamilton Lawyers Association
- Author, “Vexatious Litigant Orders in Ontario Family Law — Case Law Commentary”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 37(12), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2024.
- Speaker, The 18th Family Law Summit (Law Society of Ontario, March 20-21, 2024). Maria and Vanessa Lam spoke on costs in family law proceedings. Their paper “Frequently Asked Questions: Family Law Costs in Ontario” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2024) 43 Can Fam LQ 45.
- Author, “Best Interests of the Indigenous Child, and Irrelevant Factors for Determining Urban vs. Reserve Residence”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 37(9), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2024.
- Speaker, CanLII Research in Family Law (Family Lawyer’s Association, March 2023).
- Chair and Speaker, Legal Drafting in Family Law (Family Lawyer’s Association, March 2023).
- Author, Do Parenting Changes in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Create a New Status Quo?, Family Law Section Newsletter (Ontario Bar Association, February 2023).
About Rebecca Winninger
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Rebecca has practiced family law exclusively since she was called to the bar in 2014. She worked at family law firms in downtown Toronto and Oshawa, and represented clients in courts throughout the GTA. She has experience dealing with all areas of family law, with a particular interest in property issues, domestic contracts, and parentage issues.
Before pursuing family law, Rebecca held a number of research-intensive positions. While attending the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, she worked as a research assistant, and summered at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Rebecca graduated as the silver medallist and clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
She currently co-authors (with Vanessa Lam) various “Family Law Appeals” documents, published on LexisNexis Practical Guidance as part of the Family Law Litigation Resource Kit (Ontario).
Rebecca believes that her core skills lie in legal research, analysis, and drafting. She is pleased to be able to combine these skills with her practical knowledge of family law and procedure at Lam Family Law.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@lamfamilylaw.ca.
- Called to the Ontario Bar (2014)
- Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Toronto (2013)
- Master of Arts in English from Western University (2009)
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in English, Minor in French Studies from the University of Toronto (2008)
- The Law Society of Ontario
- Family Lawyers Association (Ontario)
- Speaker, Fifteenth Annual Bread and Butter Issues in Family Law (Ontario Bar Association, September 20, 2024). Rebecca, Vanessa Lam, and the Honourable Justice Diamond spoke on the recognition and impact of a foreign divorce.
- Speaker, 2024 National Family Law Program (Federation of Law Societies of Canada, July 22-25, 2024). Rebecca and Vanessa Lam spoke on the recognition and impact of a foreign divorce. Their paper “Recognition and Impact of a Foreign Divorce in Canada” was subsequently published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly (2024) 43 Can Fam LQ 231.
- Speaker, Legal Drafting in Family Law (Family Lawyer’s Association, March 2023).
- Author, Raising the Bar on Foreign and Extra-Provincial Marriage Contracts: Torgersrud v. Lightstone and the “High Threshold” for Ousting Equalization Under the Family Law Act, Family Law Section Newsletter (Ontario Bar Association, February 2023).
About Kayleigh Pink
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Kayleigh summered, articled, and practiced in the area of family law. She worked at a prominent Ottawa Family law firm, where she represented clients in court and mediation.
During her studies, Kayleigh focused on honing her research and written advocacy skills. She competed at the Walsh Family Law Negotiation competition, worked as a legal Research Assistant at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, volunteered as a workshop facilitator with Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, and volunteered at a non-profit organization to assist with drafting and editing court materials.
Since graduating, Kayleigh has returned to the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law as a guest speaker in Advanced Family Law and to assist in training students in family law negotiation.
Kayleigh is grateful to be able to assist clients by combining her passion for family law, written advocacy, and research.
Kayleigh can be reached at kayleigh@lamfamilylaw.ca.
- Called to the Ontario Bar (2022)
- Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Ottawa (2021)
- Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Law with a concentration in Transnational Law and Human Rights and a minor in Indigenous Studies from Carleton University (2018)
- The Law Society of Ontario
- Author, “Top Ontario Family Law Cases of 2025 (So Far): Speed Reads”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 38(12), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2025.
- Author, “When Liabilities Aren’t Set in Stone: How Ontario Courts Handle Contingent Liabilities in Determining Equalization of Net Family Property”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 38(10), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2025.
- Co-Author with Vanessa Lam, “Proceed With Caution: The Reluctance and Risks of Surreptitious Recordings in Family Law Proceedings”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 38(9), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2025.
- Speaker, 2024 National Family Law Program (Federation of Law Societies of Canada, July 22-25, 2024). Kayleigh and Vanessa Lam spoke on expert evidence in family law and possible alternatives.
- Author, “Judicial Reliance on the AFCC-O Parenting Plan Guide”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 37(11), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2024.
- Speaker, 33rd Annual Institute of Family Law (County of Carleton Law Association, April 5-6, 2024). Kayleigh spoke about Y.H.P v. J.N., 2023 ONSC 5766 (CanLII), which addresses temporary variations of final parenting orders and parental alienation.
- Author, “A Potential Shift Away from Imputing Minimum Wage”, Ontario Family Law Reporter, Volume 37(8), © LexisNexis Canada Inc. 2024.
- Testimonials
Our clients range from solo and small firm practitioners to lawyers at larger firms. They are located in different parts of Ontario.
Here is what some of our clients have to say about our services:
“Vanessa Lam has provided me with invaluable support with research and complex drafting of Facta. She is efficient, timely and respectful of the budget that I give her. Her work is thorough and her analysis is detailed and insightful. When Vanessa sends me back the draft Factum, Research Memo or Case Brief it is ready to go to the Court or client without any further work required by me. I have no hesitation in recommending Vanessa for all of your research and drafting needs.”
Lorna M. Yates
Cohen Peeters Yates LLP
“I have a small law firm and outsource all of my research to Vanessa. I have worked with her for many years. The quality and timeliness and analytical rigour of her work is fantastic. I have worked for many years on large national law firm platforms and have not previously seen a researcher as skilled.”
Brian Ludmer
Ludmer Law
“We can not thank Vanessa enough for her support, including legal research, drafting and strategizing in our cases. Vanessa’s work exceeded our expectations in terms of her knowledge and quality of her work. We are beyond grateful and continue to refer to all our colleagues.”
Ritu and Reena Horra
Horra Family Law
Read more testimonials
- Process
Usually, lawyers contact us directly by email or phone when they have a request.
If you request work for a specific client file, we need to do a conflict check. After that, we can discuss the timeline and scope of the project. We will send a short retainer letter to confirm your instructions.
Our Fees
We usually charge a reasonable hourly rate, but we are more than willing to discuss an hours cap or flat-fee arrangement.
Your Preferences
We work with our client’s preferences in how they like things done. Our goal is to get you quality work as seamlessly as possible.
- Contact
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647-779-8429 
vanessa@lamfamilylaw.ca Service Standards
We will get back to you as soon as possible, no later than 24 hours or one business day after your call or e-mail. If this isn’t possible, you will get an out of office message.
