J K Hannaford Barristers

About

J K Hannaford Barristers is a boutique practice, focusing exclusively on family law litigation.

 

The firm was established in 2006 by Julie Hannaford, a seasoned litigator, who has been recognized as one of the leading family law lawyers in Canada. Since its inception, J K Hannaford Barristers has steadily grown its team of advocates, all of whom are dedicated to the practice of family law.

 

The firm provides advice and representation on all aspects of family law, including domestic contracts, property, support, custody and access and child protection. We are regularly retained to work on complex and high conflict family law matters.

 

We are proud to have a number of notable cases to our name, and we continue the hard work on behalf of all our clients.

 

J K Hannaford Barristers is defined not only by the hard work we do for our clients, but by a belief in honesty and candour – with our clients, with the courts and tribunals and with each other. We believe in providing our clients with clear and understandable explanations of the law, and in being candid about realistic outcomes. We believe in exploring less contentious ways to solve difficult problems that arise in the family law context, but when it is necessary we take up our clients’ cases in the courts.

 

Outside of our focus on the practice of law, the members at J K Hannaford Barristers lend their support to charitable causes, including the Barbra Schlifer Clinic, the Red Door Shelter and the Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.

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Julie K. Hannaford

President

Julie Hannaford went to law school after graduate studies in English literature at the University of Toronto. Julie was a partner at a leading law firm, practising in the area of litigation until she formed J K Hannaford Barristers in 2006. Julie has published widely in family law, has conducted trials and appeals and has taught trial advocacy in the United States and Canada.

 

She holds memberships in the American Bar Association (Section of Litigation), the Canadian and Ontario Bar Association and the Advocates Society. She is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), and has served on a number of boards.

Charu Chande

(Charu Ruparelia)

Partner

Charu is a partner at J K Hannaford Barristers. Dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and principled resolution in family law, Charu applies her experience to arrive at multifaceted approaches and solutions to complex problems.

 

Charu maintains a diverse practice, devoted to family law and dispute resolution. This includes advising and representing clients on support claims, division of property, custody and access claims and domestic contracts. Charu engages the intersection between business and valuation issues and works closely with chartered business valuators, accountants and financial planners.

 

Charu pivoted quickly into the practice of family law at J K Hannaford Barristers after her call to the Ontario Bar in 2011. She has had the privilege of being trained and mentored by the firm’s principal, Julie Hannaford. Charu has experience advocating for clients through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and at Court.

 

Charu is regularly invited to speak on family law issues, including with the Law Society of Ontario and with Osgoode Professional Development. She has served as faculty advisor on Advanced Issues in Child and Spousal Support; Recent Developments and Complex Issues in Property and Equalization; the Osgoode Family Law Skills Certificate; and the Six Minute Family Law Lawyer.

Anita Volikis

Partner

Anita is a partner at J K Hannaford Barristers. Anita practices family law with integrity and compassion, advocating tirelessly for her clients whether engaged in a negotiation, litigating in a courtroom, or representing individuals in an alternative dispute resolution forum.

 

Before joining J K Hannaford Barristers, Anita practiced family law at Niman Gelgoot and Associates from her call to the Bar of Ontario in 2001 and for the next 19 years. Anita represents and advises clients on all aspects of separation and divorce and has extensive experience dealing with complex financial issues. Anita has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario. In addition to being a strong litigator, Anita is skilled at reaching negotiated settlements and achieving creative resolutions for her clients.

 

During a brief interlude from practice, Anita became a certified life coach and worked with individuals navigating life transitions. A prolific writer and multi-published author, Anita was a longstanding coauthor of The Annotated Ontario Children’s Law Reform Act and served as associate editor of Evidence in Family Law for many years. Anita is the author of the nonfiction book Unfolding My Wild & Precious Life.

Angela Pagano

Senior Associate

Hailing from an arts background, Angela spent many years performing in musicals on stages across Canada before shifting her focus to law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Honours Psychology from York University and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law in 2018. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2019.

 

During her legal studies, Angela was a caseworker with Downtown Legal Services and an active participant in the Faculty of Law’s competitive mooting program. She was a member of the Best Overall Team at the 2017 Walsh Family Law Moot, and received the award for Best Overall Advocate at the 2018 Sopinka Cup.

 

Since returning as an associate after completing her articles with the firm, Angela has assisted clients in a diverse array of family law matters, from high conflict parenting issues to complex financial disputes. She is focused on achieving creative solutions to suit the unique needs and goals of each client. Whether in the context of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, Angela is dedicated to helping clients navigate through what can often be the most challenging time in their lives with compassion and support.

Jamie Ahn

Associate

Jamie is an associate at J K Hannaford Barristers. Prior to earning her Juris Doctor at the University of Toronto, Jamie earned her Bachelor of Science at Queen’s University. As a law student, she discovered her passion for family law as a caseworker at Downtown Legal Services’ Family Law Clinic and as an active volunteer in Pro Bono Students Canada’s Family Law Project. She was awarded Top Oralist in the 2022 Walsh Family Law Moot Competition.

Danielle Rafalson

Associate

Danielle Rafalson is an associate at J K Hannaford Barristers. Danielle obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from York University in Law and Society.

 

During her legal studies, Danielle was a caseworker at Community Legal Aid and completed a semester-long externship at a Child Protection Law firm. She was also an executive committee member of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (Windsor Branch) throughout her time in law school. Danielle has tailored her law school experience to courses in family law.

 

Prior to law school, Danielle worked for several law firms in client-facing, legal administration roles.

Carol Hutchison

Senior Law Clerk

Throughout my extensive years in family law, I have worked with many fine advocates. I began my career with Julie at Borden Ladner Gervais in the family law department, rapidly gaining experience preparing for and assisting at numerous court attendances and notable trials. I knew I had found my “calling” when I had a client with the last name of Love, divorced on Valentine’s Day!

 

Julie left BLG to start her own firm in 2006, and I subsequently joined the family law department at a midsize firm. In 2014, I circled back and joined Julie at her firm as senior law clerk. In 2015 I was granted the designation of Certified Expert in Family Law by The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario, the first designation of its kind. In addition to the position of senior law clerk at J K Hannaford Barristers, I have also taken on the role of Manager Administration. This new position continues to challenge me, but provides a great sense of accomplishment. When not in the office, you can find me in my garden or on local hiking trails, and in the winter months, the snowshoe trails in the Collingwood area.

Shannon Foley

Law Clerk

Shannon has worked exclusively in family law since 2009. Shannon holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Toronto as well as a Court and Tribunal Agent Diploma from Seneca College. In 2008 Shannon was granted a Paralegal License by the Law Society of Ontario. Shannon brings not only a high degree of excellence to her work on every case, but a strong analytical approach to all areas of family law. Shannon is an integral part of the cases that the firm handles, bringing dedication to the work and a focus on the unique demands of each client and each file.

Ani Vartanian

Law Clerk

Ani joined J K Hannaford Barristers in 2023. She works with the advocates at J K Hannaford Barristers as a law clerk. Ani brings a rich history of experience and training to her work, having worked as a licensed private investigator, a paralegal, and a law clerk over the past three decades.

 

Ani has extensive experience in a wide range of fields including civil litigation, commercial and corporate law, and intellectual property. She has assisted senior counsel in the work on complex financial and parenting matters, from inception up to trial.

Ashely Kirshenblatt

Articling Student

Ashley Kirshenblatt is an articling student at J K Hannaford Barristers. Ashley obtained her Juris Doctor from Queen’s University – Faculty of Law in 2024.

 

While in law school, Ashley was selected to join the Queen’s Family Law Clinic as a student caseworker. She also completed a semester-long placement at the Ontario Family Court in Kingston and the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto where she shadowed judges during various stages of the family court process. She was also the Vice President of Administration for the Queen’s Law Family Law Club and a student volunteer for Pro Bono Students Canada. Ashley gained valuable research and negotiation experience as a team member in the National Family Law Negotiation Competition in 2023.

 

Ashley is passionate about all things family law and tailored her law school experience to just that.

 

Before law school, Ashley received her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, where she graduated with High Distinction. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys travelling and spending time with her family, friends, and numerous pets.

Ryan Hughes

Summer Paralegal Student

Monica Romero

Summer Law Student

Sheila M. Holmes

Counsel

It is with heavy hearts that we commemorate the passing of our colleague, counsel and friend, Sheila Holmes on January 8, 2023. Sheila was an integral part of our firm until her retirement. She had a genuine passion for family law throughout her long and successful career and demonstrated empathy and compassion to her clients. Sheila left the world the way she lived in it—with dignity, energy, principle—and on her own terms. Together with friends and colleagues of Sheila, J K Hannaford Barristers has participated in the creation of a bursary at the University of Toronto in honour of Sheila.

 

“Because I could not stop for Death-
He kindly stopped for me-
The Carriage held but just Ourselves-
And Immortality.” (Emily Dickinson)

 

You will always be in our hearts, Sheila.

 

Any inquiries, please contact Carol Hutchison at chutchison@jkhannaford.com

Gabrielle McLaughlin

Articling Student

Philanthropy

J K Hannaford Barristers has an art collection arising from acquisitions made at charitable events that feature the works of emerging and established Canadian artists. Among the charitable events from which the collection has been created are, Art with Heart (an auction supporting Casey House), SNAP (an event supporting the AIDS community of Toronto), and Art Gems (a fundraiser for the Creative Works Studio).

 

The firm is also involved in several charitable endeavours including, Lawyers Feed the Hungry and our annual Gingerbread Holiday party supporting the Red Door Family Shelter.

Red Door Family Shelter Benefit — 2018 Annual Gingerbread Holiday Party

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Please note that any email correspondence is informational only. You will not be considered a client until we have agreed to act for you in accordance with our usual policies for accepting clients. The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. No action with regards to your particular matter should be taken until you have first sought full legal or professional advice from a lawyer fully retained to act on your behalf.

 

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