About Us
Catherine Schaefer obtained a B.A. with an Honours degree in International Development Studies from McGill University in 2006. During her time at MGill, Catherine was Captain of the Women's Varsity swim team. Catherine obtained her LL.B. from the University of Windsor in 2009. As a law student, she acted as an Executive for Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights, a case worker, student leader, litigator and employee for Community Legal Aid and a member of the Legal Aid Ontario Appeal Committee.
Catherine completed joint articles in criminal defence for Mr. Michael Lacy of Lacy Barristers and Mr. Joseph Wilkinson of Wilkinson and Associate in 2009-2010 in Toronto. These firms merged to form Lacy Wilkinson LLP and Catherine became an Associate there when she was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010. Catherine has litigation experience in the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice and she has appeared with senior counsel at the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Catherine chose to transition from Criminal Law into Family Law, including Collaborative Family Law and Mediation, after completing extensive mediation training. Catherine practiced Family Law as an Associate with Barbara Cohen of Cohen Family Law (now Cohen Lyngseth) for almost three years. Catherine gained critical litigation, negotiation, mediation and collaborative family law experience. Catherine completed collaborative practice training through the Ontario Collaborative Law Federation (OCLF), early neutral consultation training and she became an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc. F.M.) through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) during her time at Cohen Lyngseth.
Catherine established herself as a sole Family Law practitioner in August, 2016 with a settlement practice which focuses on out of court settlements through mediation, collaborative family law, early neutral consultations and the provision of independent legal advice. Catherine understands the importance of keeping conflict down during the difficult time of separation in order to help families reach an optimal settlement through respectful and cost effective negotiations. Catherine believes that the best approach to resolving family law matters is one that empowers the parties to work together to make decisions themselves with the advice and assistance of relevant professionals for example: (lawyers, financial and parenting experts), who can help them achieve a resolution to their separation which benefits the entire family.
On a personal level, Catherine has always valued the importance of team work, having swam competitively on various teams in the United States and Canada for 18 years from the age of 4. Catherine enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.
Catherine completed joint articles in criminal defence for Mr. Michael Lacy of Lacy Barristers and Mr. Joseph Wilkinson of Wilkinson and Associate in 2009-2010 in Toronto. These firms merged to form Lacy Wilkinson LLP and Catherine became an Associate there when she was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010. Catherine has litigation experience in the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice and she has appeared with senior counsel at the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Catherine chose to transition from Criminal Law into Family Law, including Collaborative Family Law and Mediation, after completing extensive mediation training. Catherine practiced Family Law as an Associate with Barbara Cohen of Cohen Family Law (now Cohen Lyngseth) for almost three years. Catherine gained critical litigation, negotiation, mediation and collaborative family law experience. Catherine completed collaborative practice training through the Ontario Collaborative Law Federation (OCLF), early neutral consultation training and she became an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc. F.M.) through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) during her time at Cohen Lyngseth.
Catherine established herself as a sole Family Law practitioner in August, 2016 with a settlement practice which focuses on out of court settlements through mediation, collaborative family law, early neutral consultations and the provision of independent legal advice. Catherine understands the importance of keeping conflict down during the difficult time of separation in order to help families reach an optimal settlement through respectful and cost effective negotiations. Catherine believes that the best approach to resolving family law matters is one that empowers the parties to work together to make decisions themselves with the advice and assistance of relevant professionals for example: (lawyers, financial and parenting experts), who can help them achieve a resolution to their separation which benefits the entire family.
On a personal level, Catherine has always valued the importance of team work, having swam competitively on various teams in the United States and Canada for 18 years from the age of 4. Catherine enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.