Joanne H. Stewart
Partner
Joanne has 40+ years of Family Law experience. She formerly managed a boutique firm and led our Family Law group. A Certified Specialist for 25 years, she’s known for her commitment, integrity, and practical approach to complex human and financial issues.
Office
Awards & Recognitions
Areas of Expertise
Litigation, Mediation, Arbitration & Collaborative
Education
Called to New Brunswick Bar (1984)
Called to Ontario Bar (1983)
Bachelor of Laws, York University (1981)
Bachelor of Science, Dalhousie University (1978)
Education
Called to New Brunswick Bar (1984)
Called to Ontario Bar (1983)
Bachelor of Laws, York University (1981)
Bachelor of Science, Dalhousie University (1978)
Education
Called to New Brunswick Bar (1984)
Called to Ontario Bar (1983)
Bachelor of Laws, York University (1981)
Bachelor of Science, Dalhousie University (1978)
Awards and Recognitions
Selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law and Family Law Mediation
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Family Law
Certified by the Denver Institute as a Mediator
Distinguished lawyer rating by Martindale Hubbell
Completed the Ministry of the Attorney General training to conduct mediations and to screen for domestic violence
Certified to practice Collaborative Law
Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Awards and Recognitions
Selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law and Family Law Mediation
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Family Law
Certified by the Denver Institute as a Mediator
Distinguished lawyer rating by Martindale Hubbell
Completed the Ministry of the Attorney General training to conduct mediations and to screen for domestic violence
Certified to practice Collaborative Law
Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Awards and Recognitions
Selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Family Law and Family Law Mediation
Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Family Law
Certified by the Denver Institute as a Mediator
Distinguished lawyer rating by Martindale Hubbell
Completed the Ministry of the Attorney General training to conduct mediations and to screen for domestic violence
Certified to practice Collaborative Law
Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Selected Presentations and Publications
"Psychology of Communication (with client, opposing counsel, judges, witnesses)", Presenter, Canadian Bar Association, April 28, 2020
“Business Valuators and Dispute Services”, Guest speaker, Deloitte, October 15, 2015
“Don’t neglect planning for mental capacity changes”, The Lawyers Weekly, September 25, 2015
Guest speaker, Family Law, “WhatSheSaid” Talk Radio, July – December, 2015
“Drafting for Clarity and Efficiency”, Guest speaker, Law Society of Upper Canada Solo and Small Firm Conference, June 25, 2015
“Retiring boomers revisiting separation agreements”, The Lawyers Weekly, February 20, 2015
Family Law Update, Scarborough District CPA Association, January 14, 2015
“The fine art of fast-tracking a divorce”, with Upasana Sharma, The Lawyers Weekly, February 21, 2014
Selected Presentations and Publications
"Psychology of Communication (with client, opposing counsel, judges, witnesses)", Presenter, Canadian Bar Association, April 28, 2020
“Business Valuators and Dispute Services”, Guest speaker, Deloitte, October 15, 2015
“Don’t neglect planning for mental capacity changes”, The Lawyers Weekly, September 25, 2015
Guest speaker, Family Law, “WhatSheSaid” Talk Radio, July – December, 2015
“Drafting for Clarity and Efficiency”, Guest speaker, Law Society of Upper Canada Solo and Small Firm Conference, June 25, 2015
“Retiring boomers revisiting separation agreements”, The Lawyers Weekly, February 20, 2015
Family Law Update, Scarborough District CPA Association, January 14, 2015
“The fine art of fast-tracking a divorce”, with Upasana Sharma, The Lawyers Weekly, February 21, 2014
Selected Presentations and Publications
"Psychology of Communication (with client, opposing counsel, judges, witnesses)", Presenter, Canadian Bar Association, April 28, 2020
“Business Valuators and Dispute Services”, Guest speaker, Deloitte, October 15, 2015
“Don’t neglect planning for mental capacity changes”, The Lawyers Weekly, September 25, 2015
Guest speaker, Family Law, “WhatSheSaid” Talk Radio, July – December, 2015
“Drafting for Clarity and Efficiency”, Guest speaker, Law Society of Upper Canada Solo and Small Firm Conference, June 25, 2015
“Retiring boomers revisiting separation agreements”, The Lawyers Weekly, February 20, 2015
Family Law Update, Scarborough District CPA Association, January 14, 2015
“The fine art of fast-tracking a divorce”, with Upasana Sharma, The Lawyers Weekly, February 21, 2014
Practice Description
Joanne has been a family law lawyer for more than 30 years. She has a huge dose of common sense, in addition to her knowledge of law and process.
Joanne's task is to get to know her client, where her client wants to go, and then set a path with her client that ensures the client will reach his or her goal. Joanne encourages her clients to keep the money in the family, keep legal accounts as low as possible, and keep the conflict to a minimum, to get the best outcome in what usually is a difficult, complicated situation. She sets her clients up for success.
Where Court, a public process, is necessary, Joanne and her clients go. Typically however, privacy is a gift many of Joanne’s clients want, so her clients task her with stick-handling them through the situation to get to a private resolution. Family matters are tough enough without added publicity.
Joanne is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Certified Specialist in Family Law in Ontario, acts as counsel and as mediator, and is a regular contributor to education for Family Law lawyers and the public through papers, articles, and speaking engagements.
Practice Description
Joanne has been a family law lawyer for more than 30 years. She has a huge dose of common sense, in addition to her knowledge of law and process.
Joanne's task is to get to know her client, where her client wants to go, and then set a path with her client that ensures the client will reach his or her goal. Joanne encourages her clients to keep the money in the family, keep legal accounts as low as possible, and keep the conflict to a minimum, to get the best outcome in what usually is a difficult, complicated situation. She sets her clients up for success.
Where Court, a public process, is necessary, Joanne and her clients go. Typically however, privacy is a gift many of Joanne’s clients want, so her clients task her with stick-handling them through the situation to get to a private resolution. Family matters are tough enough without added publicity.
Joanne is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Certified Specialist in Family Law in Ontario, acts as counsel and as mediator, and is a regular contributor to education for Family Law lawyers and the public through papers, articles, and speaking engagements.
Practice Description
Joanne has been a family law lawyer for more than 30 years. She has a huge dose of common sense, in addition to her knowledge of law and process.
Joanne's task is to get to know her client, where her client wants to go, and then set a path with her client that ensures the client will reach his or her goal. Joanne encourages her clients to keep the money in the family, keep legal accounts as low as possible, and keep the conflict to a minimum, to get the best outcome in what usually is a difficult, complicated situation. She sets her clients up for success.
Where Court, a public process, is necessary, Joanne and her clients go. Typically however, privacy is a gift many of Joanne’s clients want, so her clients task her with stick-handling them through the situation to get to a private resolution. Family matters are tough enough without added publicity.
Joanne is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Certified Specialist in Family Law in Ontario, acts as counsel and as mediator, and is a regular contributor to education for Family Law lawyers and the public through papers, articles, and speaking engagements.
Memberships
Ontario Bar Association
Member, Collaborative Practice Toronto
Memberships
Ontario Bar Association
Member, Collaborative Practice Toronto
Memberships
Ontario Bar Association
Member, Collaborative Practice Toronto
Legal Expertise Meets Common Sense
I have been a family law lawyer for over 40 years. I worked in New Brunswick in the mid ‘80s and then in Toronto. For 27 years I worked in a boutique family law firm with exceptional clients, lawyers and staff, and I managed that practice and business for 17 years. Since 2013 I have worked at Lerners where I led the group for seven years.
My/our commitment to our clients is without falter. We answer calls and emails nearly always in 24 hours. We see our clients as
My work is largely from word-of-mouth referral. I don’t advertise digitally and have taken a “say nothing” approach about the work and always the client.
I have been a family law lawyer for over 40 years. I worked in New Brunswick in the mid ‘80s and then in Toronto. For 27 years I worked in a boutique family law firm with exceptional clients, lawyers and staff, and I managed that practice and business for 17 years. Since 2013 I have worked at Lerners where I led the group for seven years.
My/our commitment to our clients is without falter. We answer calls and emails nearly always in 24 hours. We see our clients as people, not files. We do our best to remove as much burden as we can from our client’s shoulders. We account for our time and work in detail. We work with our clients, setting strategy and then we follow through, using advocacy, tenacity, and common sense. We respect our clients and the situations in which they find themselves. We act with integrity and civility and have the respect of the court, and our peers. We don’t wholly please every client, but we do please almost 10/10.
I have been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a family law Specialist for about 25 years. I am a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, repeatedly recognized in Best Lawyers, and recognized in Divorce Angels.
My work is largely from word-of-mouth referral. I don’t advertise digitally and have taken a “say nothing” approach about the work and always the client.
I have been a family law lawyer for over 40 years. I worked in New Brunswick in the mid ‘80s and then in Toronto. For 27 years I worked in a boutique family law firm with exceptional clients, lawyers and staff, and I managed that practice and business for 17 years. Since 2013 I have worked at Lerners where I led the group for seven years.
My/our commitment to our clients is without falter. We answer calls and emails nearly always in 24 hours. We see our clients as people, not files. We do our best to remove as much burden as we can from our client’s shoulders. We account for our time and work in detail. We work with our clients, setting strategy and then we follow through, using advocacy, tenacity, and common sense. We respect our clients and the situations in which they find themselves. We act with integrity and civility and have the respect of the court, and our peers. We don’t wholly please every client, but we do please almost 10/10.
I have been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a family law Specialist for about 25 years. I am a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, repeatedly recognized in Best Lawyers, and recognized in Divorce Angels.
My work is largely from word-of-mouth referral. I don’t advertise digitally and have taken a “say nothing” approach about the work and always the client.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.