All online; combination of live and asynchronous learning.
Certificate
Designed as a deeper learning experience for all professionals, certificates are intensive, practice-based programs taught by faculty with real-world experience.
Family Law Skills and Practice
Program Directors
Adam Black
Torkin Manes LLP
Julie K. Hannaford
J K Hannaford Barristers
Eligible for
If you practise or want to practise Family Law – you MUST take this unique, hands-on skills program.
Over 10 intensive modules – spread out over 3 months – you will work closely with and receive personalized feedback from senior family law judges, experienced counsel, and specially trained simulated clients. With hands-on skills workshops and interactive, discussion-based lectures you will acquire the key foundational knowledge and practical skills you need to practice family law with confidence.
The Osgoode Certificate in Family Law Skills and Practice was designed and is delivered by the leading family law judges, lawyers and experts. Focusing on the practical, we will work through the key stages of a family law file using a combination of in-depth case studies, simulated clients, and skills workshops. You will benefit from individualized feedback and practice learned concepts in a supportive learning environment.
In an intimate online environment, you will have lots of opportunities to ask questions, engage with faculty and forge valuable connections with other family law professionals.
Given the interactive nature of this program, space is strictly limited. Reserve your place now to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity.
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
How to master the initial client interview (and why it is so critical)
Strategies for managing your client, including those “difficult” client and clients with special challenges
What you should and shouldn’t include in your Financial Statement, and what you should look for in the other sides’
How to assess options for consensual resolution: learn how to determine what your client really wants and needs; participate in a simulated negotiation
Tactics for drafting Minutes of Settlement
What needs to be done when your matter doesn’t settle, including mastering the case conference
Effective affidavits
Successful strategies in motion advocacy: how to give the Court what it needs
How to effectively structure your written and oral submissions
Best practices for dealing with experts. Using your own and strategies for challenging the other side’s
Critical tips for drafting separation agreements
Practice management techniques for avoiding issues after you wrap up the file
Stephanie Luskey
Bradley Law P.C.
“I absolutely loved this program! I am a new family law practitioner and the [certificate] provided me with the substantive legal knowledge necessary to feel confident handling a variety of family law issues. Prior to taking this program I was constantly overwhelmed… After attending the program my confidence has improved and I have a renewed passion for family law in both litigation and negotiation settings. The feedback received from senior family law judges and experienced counsel is invaluable. Their comments ring through my mind every time I draft a factum or an offer to settle.
”
Who Should Attend
Legal professionals who are or plan to specialize in family law
Other professionals who work in the family law arena
General practitioners who want to hone their substantive knowledge and practical skills in family law
Faculty
Program Directors
Adam Black
Torkin Manes LLP
Julie K. Hannaford
J K Hannaford Barristers
Advisory Board
Adam Black
Torkin Manes LLP
Aaron Franks
Epstein Cole LLP
Kathryn Hendrikx
Hendrikx Family Law
Shelley Kierstead
Assistant Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School
Janet Whitehead
Whitehead Law and Mediation
Judges
The Hon. Justice Jasmine Akbarali
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Julie Audet
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Kendra Coats
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice George Czutrin
former Senior Family Justice,
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Alex Finlayson
Ontario Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice R. John Harper
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Andrea Himel
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Francis Kiteley
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Marvin Kurz
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Lene Madsen
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Heather McGee
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Pamela MacEachern
Superior Court of Justice, East Region –
Family Court Branch
The Hon. Justice Llana Nakonechny
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Manjusha Pawagi
Ontario Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Melanie Sager
Ontario Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice M. J. Lucille Shaw
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Stanley B. Sherr
Ontario Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Victoria Starr
Ontario Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Suzanne Stevenson
Senior Family Judge, Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Jamie K. Trimble
Superior Court of Justice
The Hon. Justice Roselyn Zisman
Ontario Court of Justice
Instructors
Yvonne Bernstein, LawPRO
Adam Black, Torkin Manes LLP
Charu Chande, J K Hannaford Barristers
Andrew Chris, Normandin Chris LLP
Sarah F. Conlin, Lerners LLP
Erin Crawford, McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP
Aaron Franks, Epstein Cole LLP
Dani Z. Frodis, Frodis Family Law
Doron Gold, Staff Clinician, Homewood Health
Jennifer Gold, Wood Gold LLP
Cheryl Goldhart, Goldhart Kenet LLP
Julie K. Hannaford, J K Hannaford Barristers
Kathryn Hendrikx, Hendrikx Family Law
Gary S. Joseph, MacDonald & Partners LLP
Annie Noa Kenet, Goldhart Kenet LLP
Maxine M. Kerr, Barrister & Solicitor
Michael B. Kleinman, Kleinman Gordon Family Law
Vanessa Lam, Lam Family Law
Brandon A. Lewis, CPA, CA, CBV, CFF, White & Lewis
Christine Montgomery, DivorceMate Software Inc.
Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director
Barbra Schlifer, Commemorative Clinic
Judith M. Nicoll, McInnis & Nicoll
Kristen Normandin, Normandin Chris LLP
Angela Pagano, J K Hannaford Barristers
Linda Popielarczyk MSW, RSW, Acc.FM (OAFM), Connections Child and Family
Shawn Richard, Shawn Richard Family and Estate Law
Avra Rosen, C.S., Rosen Sack LLP
Eric Sadvari, Goldhart Kenet LLP
Stephanie K. Sroka, McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP
Erica Tait, McCarthy Hansen & Company LLP
Jared Teitel, Normandin Chris LLP
Roslyn M. Tsao, Epstein Cole LLP
Ian C. Vallance, Victor Vallance Blais LLP
Frances M. Wood, Wood Gold LLP
Agenda
View the 2023 program brochure and agenda. A new detailed brochure and agenda will be available soon.
J K Hannaford Barristers (Professional Corporation)
“This programme is the foundation that every lawyer who wants to practise family law needs, and it is the type of training that most senior family law lawyers wish they could deliver, but often can’t in light of their busy schedules.”
Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 21 days prior to the program date. If a cancellation request is made with less than 21 days notice, a $150.00 administration fee will apply. No other refund is available.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
Registration Details
Please Note: You must complete all program days, either online (live) or on demand, and workshops (live and in person only) in order to be eligible for the certificate.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
In order to successfully receive an Osgoode Certificate, participants must complete the following:
Attend all lectures – either live or on demand
Complete pre-program day work
Complete all skills workshops. These can only be completed live online, on the scheduled dates.
Students required to participate IN PERSON LIVE in mandatory workshops on these dates: Day 2: Initial Client Meeting Workshop: March 6, 2024 Day 3: Working with People: March 20, 2024 Pre-Negotiation Client Meeting – April 2, 2024, 4:30 – 9:30 pm *Note this is an evening session Day 5: Consensual Resolution: April 3, 2024 Day 6: When Your Matter Doesn’t Settle: April 10, 2024 Day 8: Motion Workshop, May 1, 2024, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm *Note this session is half-day
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
LawPRO: this Program is approved for LawPRO Risk Management Credit.
Alexandra Forsyth-Sells
Family Law Lawyer, Grant Crawford LLP
“The program is an excellent opportunity for Family Law lawyers of all skills sets to learn and grow their skills and practice. The program provided ample opportunity for feedback through guided discussion with experienced counsel and judges.”
Watch a recording of a past program on your own schedule.
1 Day – On Demand
You may also be interested in…
Deeper Learning Opportunities
LLMs
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Once a program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. This does not guarantee your registration in the program; however, it places you on a priority contact list. If any spots become available, you may be notified by email or phone to confirm if you would like to proceed with the registration. Once contacted, you will typically be given 24 hours to confirm your interest. If you do not confirm interest within the provided timeframe, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person will be contacted.
A selection of our Certificates are eligible for OSAP funding.
Please note the following exceptions that may affect OSAP funding eligibility for our certificates:
Students receiving Second Career funding for a micro-credential during their study period are ineligible;
Although grants will not be converted to loans, a grant may become repayable if a student withdraws, is determined to be overpaid in grant funding, or income cannot be verified within one year;
A student cannot receive OSAP for micro-credential assistance for their study period if it overlaps with another micro-credential study period in which they are concurrently receiving OSAP for micro-credential funding. However, students may overlap their micro-credential study period with a study period that is part of a different full- or part-time program that they are concurrently receiving funding for through Full-Time OSAP or Part-Time OSAP, provided that OSAP funding was not assessed for the micro-credential course(s) through a Full-Time or Part-Time OSAP application.
NOTE: In order to obtain access to the program, full payment is required at least 1 business day prior to the first module of the program.
Job Grants
The Canada-Ontario Job grant may be applicable to employers seeking to train their staff. To find out if your organization is eligible for the grant and the program you wish to enrol in qualifies, visit: The MTCU Canada-Ontario Job Grant page
Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Our programs are typically offered once annually, around the same time each year; however, there are a few exceptions where certain programs are offered multiple times throughout the year (i.e. The Certificate in Adjudication). To receive updates on all our new and upcoming program offerings, please click here to subscribe to our email list.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
Access is only for the registered delegate. In the event of misuse, access can be revoked.
CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for OsgoodePD Programs unless specific bursary information appears on the program page/program brochure. Head to our Financial Assistance page for more information.
Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
Our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, ranging from one-hour briefings to more intensive certificate programs, are for all professionals. There are no general prerequisites for these programs; however, individual programs often have specific requirements to register. These are noted on individual program pages and .pdf brochures.
