About Us

Mission, Vision and Values:

The AFCC is an interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. AFCC members share a strong commitment to education, innovation, and collaboration in order to benefit communities, empower families, and promote a healthy future for children.

We promote a collaborative approach to serving the needs of children among those who work in and with family law systems, encouraging education, research and innovation and identifying best practices. Our Vision is a justice system in which all professionals work collaboratively through education, support, and access to services to achieve the best possible outcome for children and families.

The AFCC, Ontario Chapter provides opportunities for our members to network and share their interdisciplinary views of family court matters on a local level and within a Canadian context.

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Board Of Directors, Executive

Dr. Kimberly Harris graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in School and Clinical Child Psychology. She is a registered clinical and forensic psychologist in the province of Ontario and currently works at the London Family Court Clinic. Dr. Harris has a diverse workload that includes assessment and consultation for youth and their families involved in the justice system addressing issues such as mental health, violence risk, parenting capacity, custody and access, and capacity to testify. Dr. Harris has been declared an expert witness in the areas of mental health, psychological assessment, and parenting capacity. Dr. Harris also provides intervention to children and youth who are in conflict with the law and families involved in custody disputes. Some of these interventions include Parenting Coordination, Parent Management Training, and the use of cognitive-behavioural approaches in residential, custodial, outpatient, day treatment, and home settings. Dr. Harris provides leadership for a number of community collaborations related to high conflict custody disputes and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. She engages in teaching, training, and program development in family assessments, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, domestic violence, applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavior therapy, and forensic issues. Dr. Harris supervises graduate students in these areas and has co-authored papers in scholarly journals, a chapter in the book entitled Juvenile Justice: Advancing Research, Policy, and Practice, and more recently, publications for clinical practice and training.

Kaitlyn McCabe was called to the Bar in 1996 after which she practiced family and estate litigation and was OCL panel member. She joined Legal Aid Ontario in 2003 and is currently Director General for LAO’s West District. She is a past sessional instructor for the University of Windsor Law School, past member of the Child Abuse Prevention Council and past Director of the Spirit of Windsor Youth Community Marching Band.

Virginia Workman, B.A., LLB, Acc. FM(OAFM) was called to the Bar in 1988 having obtained her BA in Economics and Canadian Studies from McGill University and her law degree from the University of Toronto.  She is a sole practitioner in Niagara, and practices in all areas of Family Law including child protection. She is a panel member for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, a Dispute Resolution officer in St. Catharines, a member of the AXIS Family Mediation team providing comprehensive family mediation, and provides private Mediation/Arbitration Services. She has been an instructor at Niagara College in their Dispute Resolution Certificate program and at Brock University.  

Virginia is an enthusiastic community volunteer, sitting on the Local Judicial Liaison Committee since its inception, and on various community boards over the years including: Distress Centre, The St. Catharines Museum, Bethlehem Place Housing, Niagara Health Systems Foundation, Niagara Big Brothers and Sister (BBBS), and the Ridley College Guild. Having raised their daughter Arwyn, Virginia and her husband reside in St. Catharines with their two Golden Retrievers, and on some cold February nights, can be found in the Arctic Circle chasing the Northern Lights.

Fadwa Yehia is an Associate Lawyer at Jamal Family Law Professional Corporation. Fadwapractices primarily in the area of family law. Her experience includes:

• Representation of clients with a focus on child custody and visitation issues, including mobility and cross-border enforcement
• Advising clients on issues related to child and spousal support, matrimonial homes, division of property, pension issues, and income determination
• Drafting of contracts and agreements (separation, cohabitation and marriage), settlement proposals, memorandums of understanding and general pleadings/Court applications
• Successfully representing client in motions, conferences, negotiation meetings, examinations and trials in both the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice
• Development of office administration policies and procedures, and business plan focusing on client needs and reasonable approaches to settlement
• Networking and community outreach in order to expand client base including providing educational seminars to local universities, community and professional organizations
• Advocate on behalf of marginalized groups, whilst highlighting cultural and gender issues, including the welfare of new immigrants and refugees

Carolyn Leach is Deputy Legal Director of the Property Rights Department of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL).  In this role, she supervises and leads the delivery of legal services on behalf of minors in complex estate/trust proceedings and in personal injury/medical malpractice and other civil litigation. 

Carolyn spent the first 20 years of her legal career as in-house counsel with the OCL, where she represented children in child protection and parenting proceedings at both the trial and appellate level.  In February 2018, she was seconded to the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services, where she provided legal advice to the Ontario government regarding the interpretation of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, civil and constitutional litigation matter relating to child welfare, and proposed legislative and regulatory amendments.  In August 2022, Carolyn was further seconded to the Indigenous Justice Division, Ministry of the Attorney General, where she provided advice on policy initiatives and civil matters that involved or affected Indigenous people or communities, with a focus on child welfare and family law matters.  Carolyn also acted as Coroner’s counsel in inquests of the deaths of Indigenous persons and sat on the Indigenous Pediatric Death Review Committee. 

Carolyn is trained as a family mediator.  In 2015, she received her Masters in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, specializing in civil litigation and dispute resolution. 

Board of Directors, Members At Large

Chantel is passionate about family law, but the intermingling of family matters with various forms of alternative dispute resolution is her new-found joy. Whether it be through mediation, parenting coordination, or Med-Arb, Chantel is able to assist separated families progress from complex, emotionally-charged and multi-layered circumstances to an outcome which benefits both of them, and more importantly, their children. She is an experienced children’s lawyer and much of her practice is dedicated to representing children. Chantel is an accredited Family Mediator with the OAFM and she particularly enjoys mediating parenting disputes. She is a trained Collaborative Family Law professional. She recently completed her training both as a Parenting Coordinator and an Arbitrator and she is excited to venture on this new path in her career.

Chantel graduated from Law School at the University of Windsor in 1999 and she was called to the Bar in Ottawa in 2001. As a junior lawyer, she practised family law and criminal law (both as defence counsel and as a per diem Crown Attorney) in Renfrew County. She began representing children as a panel member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer in 2006 and continues doing so to this day. In January 2010, she opened Carvallo Family Law in downtown Ottawa and practised family law exclusively. In January 2013, Chantel joined Sicotte Guilbault Professional Corporation where she was able to specialize even more in her chosen areas of family law – representing children, and mediating family disputes. She took a two-year leave of absence between 2016 and 2018 in order to practise family law at a legal aid clinic in Yellowknife, NT; it was one of the most amazing and educational experiences of her life. Since 2018, Chantel has expanded her practice at Sicotte Guilbault to include Parenting Coordination, Screening for Domestic Violence and Power Imbalances, and Arbitration. 

COMPETENCIES FOR CHANTEL:

  • Family Mediation
  • Child Representation
  • Voice of the Child Report
  • Child-Inclusive Mediation
  • Parenting Coordination
  • Collaborative Family Law Services
  • Screening for Domestic Violence and Power Imbalances
  • Arbitration
  • Separation and Divorce
  • Parenting issues (decision -making responsibility and parenting time)
  • Child Custody and Parenting
  • Spousal and Child Support
  • Domestic Contracts
  • Division of Family Assets
  • Complex Financial Matters upon Marriage or Separation

Christine Doucet obtained her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2012. Christine also holds a Bachelor of Social Work from York University. Christine articled at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), Ministry of the Attorney General and was called to the bar in 2013. From 2013-2023, Christine worked as in house counsel with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Christine returned to the OCL as counsel in 2023 where she provides legal representation to children and youth in family and child protection cases. In this role, Christine also acts as a regional supervisor to OCL panel agents across the province. She also co-manages the OCL’s secure treatment and older youth programs.

Christine is passionate about mentorship and regularly acts as a mentor to law students and new lawyers. Christine is an instructor at Osgoode Hall Law School teaching trial advocacy to upper year law students. Christine sits on the Board of Directors of the Osgoode Hall Alumni Association. Since 2022, Christine has been a cast member of the Lawyer Show, the annual musical fundraiser for Toronto’s Nightwood Theatre.

Dr. Catherine Horvath is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ottawa Centre for Resilience (OCFR), a mental health centre for childhood trauma and dissociation, attachment, adoption, and high-conflict families in Ottawa and surrounding regions. Dr. Horvath is a clinical and forensic psychologist, as well as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, EMDR therapist, Circle of Security – Parenting facilitator, and Safe and Sound Protocol practitioner.

Dr. Horvath focuses on working with those struggling with disruptive behaviours, self-regulation, attachment, and sexual behaviour issues related to histories of adverse childhood experiences, complex developmental trauma, adoption related issues, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, high-conflict parenting dynamics, and involvement with the child welfare, family court, and criminal justice systems.

Dr. Horvath regularly provides consultation and trainings in the areas of child development, parenting, trauma, attachment, trauma-informed approaches, and high-risk, complex youth. Dr. Horvath also has expertise in conducting forensic assessments (e.g., Parenting Assessments, Juvenile Forensic Risk Assessments, Secure Treatment Assessments, Expert Opinion for civil and child welfare matters) and has been qualified as an expert witness in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Family Court and by the Child and Family Services Review Board of Ontario.

Imran Kamal is Crown Counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, specializing in Indigenous rights. Imran was legal counsel at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCAS) from 2014 to 2021. Imran is a LSO Certified Specialist in Indigenous Legal Issues. In 2021, Imran was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In 2023, Imran received the Precedent Setter Award for his work with Indigenous communities and received the Diversity Award from the South Asian Bar Association for his work in de-stigmatizing mental health and addiction as well as for his work with reconciliation.

Imran established Hamilton Lawyers Feed the Hungry, is a weekly volunteer at a Men’s Live-in Addiction Treatment Centre, and Board Member of Mission Services of Hamilton.

Imran was a member of the Family Law Subcommittee of the Hamilton law Association and the Bench and Bar subcommittee of the Hamilton Law Association, and was the Treasurer for the Organization of Counsel for Children’s Aid Societies of Ontario. Imran is currently a pro-bono consultant for the Adoption Council of Ontario and the Chairperson of the Adult Adoption Advocacy Group and a member of the organizing committee of the United Way John Sopinka Legal Luncheon. Imran serves as a LPP mentor for Ryerson University, and is a consultant for the University of Toronto’s “Toolkit for Evidence-Based Child Protection Practice”, as well as an Expert Lawyer for Pro Bono Students Canada. Imran has organized and presented at numerous conferences on issues of family law, child protection and Indigenous legal issues.

With over 7 years of recovery, Imran has dedicated himself to support others recovering from addiction. Since 2016, Imran has been a weekly volunteer at a men’s residential addiction treatment centre, providing support and resources for men overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. Imran is an active member of Voices for Mental Health which is a grassroots group of MAG employees who strives for change in the area of mental health within the Ontario Public Service and the legal profession. In 2023 Imran shared his experience as a presenter at the LSO Mental Health Summit. He has presented to numerous Bay Street firms, various law associations and within the Ontario Public Service about his journey recovering from addiction.

Imran is particularly passionate about Indigenous child welfare. Imran was involved in forming the Indigenous Resource Group at the CCAS and was the chairperson of the Indigenous Resource Group for five years. In addition, he works in the community to enhance the service delivery to Indigenous families involved in the child welfare system. Imran is the founding Co-Chairperson of the Indigenous Child Welfare Collaborative, which brings together seven (7) Indigenous community organizations and the two child welfare agencies in Hamilton to systemically and holistically address child welfare issues in the Indigenous community. He is  part of the Collaboratory for the Boldness Project to address Indigenous issues in the justice system and has been appointed a Steward to move forward with the Hamilton Boldness Project. Most recently, Imran was appointed as the Chairperson of the Indigenous Child Welfare “Court”  SCJ working group.

Imran was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2013. Prior to joining the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton, Imran practiced in domestic family law in Halton region where his main area of practice was custody and access issues.

Professor Shelley Kierstead teaches Family Law (core and advanced) and Child Protection law at Osgoode Hall Law School.  She completed a doctoral dissertation in the family law area and received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Professor Kierstead, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Attorney General, developed a Child Protection externship for upper year students. She is also Director of the Legal Process course at Osgoode and teaches a number of courses within Osgoode’s Professional Development program. Her research interests lie in the areas of children and families, professionalism, the development of expertise in legal writing, and Therapeutic Jurisprudence.

Professor Kierstead is currently Chair of the International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence.

Justice McGee is the lead family judge for the Brampton Superior Court of Justice and has been the judicial lead for the successful expansion of Brampton’s Dispute Resolution Program, and Mediation Services. Prior to July of 2020 she was the most senior full time Unified Family Court Judge in Newmarket, appointed in May of 2009.

Justice McGee hears cases in all areas of the law, including civil and family appeals. In family law, she champions an evidence based, trauma informed and multidisciplinary approach to helping families in transition; recognizing at the same time that our society as a whole is in transition.

Prior to her appointment, Justice McGee was a President of the Ontario Bar Association and a Practise Reviewer for the Law Society of Ontario. She has served on committees, legislative working groups and legal associations from the local to the national level. She continues to speak at Judicial and Legal Education programs with a focus on Modern Court Procedures, Evidence, and Effective Advocacy. She supports young lawyer initiatives and annually presides at the Walsh Family Law Negotiation Competition, a province wide law school competition that she co-established in 2013.

Justice Heather-Ann Mendes was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice on May 23, 2019.  She was called to the bar in July 2005 after graduating from the University of Windsor Law School in 2004.  Justice Mendes also has her Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.  Before her appointment, her law practice focused on family and child protection law. Justice Mendes was also a panel lawyer with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, and she was an accredited family, child protection and adoption mediator.  Justice Mendes also presided as a Deputy Small Claims Court judge and she was a chairperson for the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal.

Dr. Rana Pishva C. Psych is a clinical psychologist in private practice. She provides psychological services to children, adolescents and adults. She offers individual psychotherapy, mental health assessments, and parenting assessments.  She is a trained facilitator of the Circle of Security parenting program, certified in the treatment of perinatal trauma and on the Emotional Availability rating scales. Dr. Pishva has served on the board of AFCC-O since 2021, and participated on the task force for the development of the AFCC-O Parenting Plan Guide and Template. She is now co-chair of the Education Committee.

Dr. Pishva is passionate about providing a space for clients to make sense of their personal story. Her clinical work is focused on relationships and includes trauma-related and attachment disorders, peri-natal and parenting issues, including separation planning, as well as court-ordered parenting assessments. Dr. Pishva also provides parenting workshops, supervision and training to professionals. She volunteers as a Board Member for the Youville Center in Ottawa. 

Family Law Lawyer
Simaei Law Professional Corporation

Michael is a skilled and strategic litigator, negotiator, and problem solver who provides tactical, sensible, and proactive advice to his clients. He meticulously prepares clients for mediations, hearings, arbitrations, and trials, taking the necessary time to explain the finer details of each case. He is experienced in dealing with cases at all levels of court, including the Divisional Court, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

As a partner at Epstein Cole, Michael’s practice focuses on family law and the defence of professional negligence claims against family law lawyers as Preferred Counsel for the lawyer’s insurer, LawPRO. He regularly deals with complex family law parenting and financial issues involving appeals, contested facts, inter-jurisdictional matters, abduction, parent-child contact problems, stock options, private businesses, pensions, bankruptcy, and more. Michael works to minimize conflict, focusing on problem solving, loss prevention, and repairs, often working on behalf of LawPRO, lawyers, and other professionals.

Michael has been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2023 Lawyer of the Year in Family Law – Toronto.

Michael is an Associate Editor of the Reports of Family Law, and the co-author of “Franks & Zalev, This Week in Family Law”, a weekly family law newsletter published in FamilySource by WestlawNext Canada. He has been appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. He regularly presents at continuing legal education programs about family law and professional negligence issues, and is the former co-chair of the annual Walsh Family Law Negotiation Competition.

Michael’s previous work as a clerk for the Judges of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has given him unique insight into how contentious decisions are made in court and this experience has positively shaped how he approaches all legal matters. For Michael, the first step is determining how best to set up the case, build a factual record, and synthesize it all without sacrificing quality. He is quick to assess the state of any legal matter, effectively evaluating how to achieve the most desirable outcome for his clients.

Leave A Reply