Jim is a Family Law pioneer. He was one of the founders of Family Law as a specialized area of practice. The founding chairman of the National Family Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and a former Director of Legal Education of the Law Society and head lecturer in Family Law, he was the first recipient of the Canadian Bar Association's Award for Excellence in Family Law (1997). He was the founder and the first president of the Toronto Collaborative Law Group (now Collaborative Practice Toronto), an organization devoted to settling family law matters using co-operative instead of confrontational strategies. A fierce proponent of family justice, Jim's philosophy of a client-centered approach guides the firm's approach to law and his insights have shaped the very direction of family law in Ontario. His formidable experience has included tremendous commitment to the development of the law and the training of well-qualified family law lawyers. He has represented some of Canada's most illustrious citizens, and done so with discretion and success. Currently working on his sixth book, MacDonald is one of the most published lawyers in the field of family law. He practices as a collaborative family law lawyer.

Gary is a certified specialist in family law with an LL.M. in constitutional law. He was called to the bar in Ontario in 1978 and is also a member of the Alberta bar. He has extensive trial and appellate experience at all levels of the courts in both Ontario and Alberta and has appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada.

A highly respected family law practitioner, Mr. Joseph also lectures frequently in family law, has been an instructor in family law for the Bar Admission course and has published many articles on family law. He is a founding lecturer for the Family Information Session program of the Superior Court of Justice and was recently recognized by the Chief Justice for his efforts in this regard.

Phyllis is a Specialist in Family Law and has practiced in this area since 1989. She has a strong commitment to her clients. She is an effective negotiator and works hard to find a way to resolve even the most difficult of cases. If settlement is not possible, she utilizes her extensive trial experience to bring about the best outcome. Phyllis prides herself on being "tough but fair" and will fight for her client's rights both at the negotiating table and in court. Life experience and maturity has taught her to apply her vast knowledge of family law to successfully resolve even the most complex of family matters.

Phyllis has developed a unique expertise in international child abduction cases and Hague Applications for the return of children from foreign countries. Her high level of proficiency for these often challenging cases is combined with a passion for her clients' interests that is unparalleled.

Phyllis is also at the forefront of practitioners who assist parties with the legal aspects of in vitro fertilization, gestational carriage and donor contracts.

Will completed his undergraduate degree at Bishop's University in Lennoxville Quebec in 1988, graduated from the University of Windsor Law School in 1993 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995. Will practices in all areas of family law and negotiations. His attention to detail and thorough preparation of materials used in litigation, mediation or arbitration has proven invaluable in obtaining favourable results for the firm's clients.

Georgina has practiced family law exclusively for 15 years. As an experienced practitioner, she was appointed a Dispute Resolution Officer in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, a quasi-judicial capacity in which she assists parties in resolving their disputes.  Georgina assists her own clients with often complex property, tax, estate, custody and support issues. She appears regularly in all levels of court in Ontario.   Georgina's approach to family law is solution-based. She invokes alternative dispute mechanisms to assist her clients whenever possible and attempts to resolve matters efficiently and cost-effectively. Georgina is fully trained as a collaborative lawyer and is a member of the Collaborative Family Law Association of Ontario. Georgina has acted as a panel lawyer for the Office of the Children's Lawyer, representing children in custody and access disputes as well as in child protection matters.  Georgina is a popular speaker, writer and teacher of family law. She is an executive member of the family law section of the Ontario Bar Association.

Cheryl graduated from the Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000. Ms. Williams has had a long association with family law through her involvement with the Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and later articles at the Office of the Children's Lawyer. Ms. Williams' practice involves all areas of family law including property, custody, access, and support issues. Ms. Williams has appeared at the Provincial and Superior Court levels, and has acted for clients in mediations and arbitrations. She is part of a team with the more senior practitioners in the firm where her strong analytic and writing skills are maximized. She is equally effective in cases where she is the responsible lawyer. Cheryl contributes to the books produced by the firm, has written for the family law section of the Bar Admission Course, and appears in an educational film on separation and divorce produced by the Superior Court of Justice.

Geoffrey joined the firm in 2004 as an associate. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003 after receiving his LL.B. from Queen's University. Geoffrey completed his B. Sc. (Hons) at Trent University in 1994 and his M.A. in Business Economics at Wilfred Laurier University in 1995. Prior to practicing law, Geoffrey worked in finance in the telecommunications industry and has adapted those skills to benefit his clients. His practice includes all aspects of matrimonial litigation. Geoffrey is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.

Michael completed his undergraduate degree at University College, University of Toronto, where he graduated with Distinction and received several awards for academic achievement. He studied law at the University of Western Ontario and was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2005. He took part in oral advocacy competitions and worked at the Dispute Resolution Centre, where he developed his negotiation and mediation skills. Michael acquired his interest in family law while working for a prominent London area family lawyer during law school. He focuses on all aspects of family law, including custody, access, support and property issues. His strong work ethic and dedication to achieving the best possible results for clients make him a valued member of the MacDonald & Partners team.

Kim completed her undergraduate Honours degree in History at McGill University. She then obtained her law degree at at the University of Ottawa where she graduated cum laude in 2001 and was called to the Ontario Bar in October 2002. Over the years, Kim has gained invaluable experience through her work for the Washington D.C. Government Prosecution in Child Abuse and Neglect, for the Child Support Team at the Department of Justice in Ottawa, and a battered women's shelter in Montreal. These activities, along with her experience in private practice, have enabled Kim to offer strong legal skills, with an understanding of the client's unique, personal needs. Kim takes a balanced, reasonable approach to her practice, while striving to obtain success for the client. Kim's practice includes all aspects of Family Law.

MacDonald & Partners' clients benefit tremendously from Ann's prodigious knowledge of the law and ability to locate the appropriate case law to support their interests. Ann is a research lawyer with 19 years of experience and contributes significantly to the highly respected books produced by the firm. Her experience and skills are also invaluable to the firm in advising its clients and in preparing materials for the courts.

James MacDonald has written the following faqs and articles:

FAQs:

• "My wife and I agreed to divorce via a collaborative process, but she and her lawyer are not cooperating fairly."
• "How can we negotiate our divorce rather than battle it out?"
• "When does my divorce become effective? And what happens after the divorce judgment has been entered?"

Article:

• Collaborative Law

Gary Joseph and Michael Stangarone have written the following articles:

• Is parallel parenting back?
  Making joint custody work in high conflict cases – decisions since Kaplanis v. Kaplanis