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.