The family lawyers of Sheridan, Ippolito & Associates are your cool voice of reason to help get you through your divorce as smoothly as possible.

It's an understatement that divorce is an upsetting period. However calm and rational a person you normally are, it's difficult to make clear-headed decisions at such an emotional time. The lawyers at Sheridan, Ippolito & Associates can reduce your stress enormously by lending you a sympathetic ear -- and an eye to see clearly, putting you on track to the best possible post-divorce future.

A realistic and rational outlook

"Be realistic," advises Linda Ippolito, a partner with the firm since its establishment in 1994. "Don't make decisions based on emotion. Every solution is a compromise. There are no winners or losers: everybody goes away with a little happiness and a little unhappiness. Once you're prepared to compromise, you'll be more open to creative solutions and more satisfied with the result." And the firm's co-founding partner, Joseph Sheridan, adds: "Don't act out of anger."

Conveniently located in Bloor West Village, this firm concentrates on family law as well as estates, employment, and civil litigation. Such versatility is necessary in a field so complex. As Ippolito explains, "Family law encompasses so many areas: litigation, negotiation, mediation, real estate, taxes, even criminal law when domestic violence or child protection is involved." She and her colleagues have expertise in many of these areas, rather than merely touching on them from a family-law context.

Working together as a team for you

Ippolito, Sheridan, and associate Karina Sacca (who now practices in British Columbia) offer accessible, affordable legal services in a relaxed atmosphere. Behind the scenes, they work together on each case. "We bounce ideas off one another all the time," says Sheridan. "We meet nearly every day to discuss each other's work and come up with new strategies." And Ippolito notes, "We see ourselves as a team. If one of us is unavailable, the other, or one of our experienced clerks, will step in. We also rely on resources from our large network of colleagues."

From start to finish of each case, the client's needs and wants come first. "Clients are involved in every step," says Ippolito, "and we encourage them to take an active part in all aspects of their cases, from putting forward solutions to wading through documents." Another way this team shows respect for clients is through their complete honesty. "We're frank about how much the case will cost -- not just in dollars but in emotion. We're up front about the pros and cons of pursuing certain avenues."

Creative resolutions outside the courtroom

The firm's goal is to obtain a reasonable settlement outside of court if possible. "I consider it a failure if we're in front of a judge at a trial," says Ippolito. "I like being part of a creative process in which both parties work hard to come up with the kind of resolution that a court can't give them."

Linda Ippolito is completing her Master of Laws degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School, and both she and Joseph Sheridan are certified Collaborative Practitioners.

For more information or to book a free half-hour consultation, please contact:

2 Jane Street, Suite 506 (at Bloor)
Toronto, Ontario M6S 4W3
Phone: (416) 763-3399
Fax: (416) 763-3443
e-mail: sheridan.ippolito@bellnet.ca

Joe Sheridan has written the following articles:

• FAQ: "Should I tell my lawyer the whole truth?"
• FAQ: "Do I need to set goals for my divorce, or will my lawyer do that for me?"

Linda Ippolito has written the following article:

• FAQ: "I want to change my name back to my maiden name. How?"

Karina V. Sacca has written the following article:

• FAQ: "If you date as soon as you're separated, will it affect your divorce?"