Professional Highlights
- Partner, Lerners LLP (2013 to present)
- Partner, Bastedo Stewart Smith (1997 to 2013)
- Partner, Bastedo Sheldon McGivney & Peck (1990 to 1996)
- Partner, Bastedo Cooper & Shostack (1989 to 1990)
- Called to Ontario Bar 1983, and New Brunswick Bar 1984
- Joanne has been a family law lawyer for more than 30 years, has been married for 30 years, and has raised her kids and her cats. She has a huge dose of common sense, in addition to her knowledge of law and process. Her 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.
- "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 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 Lawyer
- Ontario Bar Association
- Member, Collaborative Practice Toronto
- Called to New Brunswick Bar (1984)
- Called to Ontario Bar (1983)
- Bachelor of Laws, York University (1981)
- Bachelor of Science, Dalhousie University (1978)
Insights
Contact
- Phone:
- 416.601.2361
- Fax:
- 416.867.2468
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