Our experienced family law lawyers have a long and enviable track record of success. That record has been earned through hard work, experience, dedication and determination. Stoner & Company’s younger lawyers work closely with our more experienced lawyers to ensure you receive optimal service and expertise as cost-effectively as possible. We are enthusiastic advocates for our clients’ rights, achieving the best possible outcomes efficiently and effectively.
Ann Stoner
Elliot Vine
Kathy Batycky
Patricia Swiderski
Jordan Welsh
Nicole Stasi
Gurveer Gill
Scott Wodhams (Stoner)
Brittany Rizzo
Specializing in family law allows us to thoroughly understand the often complex and evolving issues related to all aspects of family law matters. That includes divorce, separation, custody, access, support, adoptions, child protection, division of assets and other property matters.
Every effort is made to settle your matter outside of court, and to avoid lengthy and costly court proceedings. However, that is not always possible in family law. Should litigation be necessary we are experienced, determined courtroom lawyers who will defend your rights with vigour and do everything possible to ensure you receive a fair and comprehensive settlement as quickly as possible.
Ann is the Senior Principal lawyer at Stoner & Company Family Law in Burlington and Oakville, with a primarily litigation-based practice. She graduated from the University of Toronto Law School. Ann works with younger lawyers on her files to help defray the high legal costs in family matters and provide young lawyers with valuable expertise under her close supervision. Ann is a past Director of The Advocates’ Society, and regularly serves as a Dispute Resolution Officer in the Milton and Hamilton Superior Courts. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Halton County Law Association. Throughout her almost 30-year career, Ann has appeared frequently in Provincial and Superior Courts in Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara, and Toronto, including participating in trials, motions and conferences.
Elliot is a Principal Lawyer at Stoner & Company. He graduated from Queen’s University Law School in 2012, where he also earned an Honours B.A. in Economics. Prior to joining Stoner & Company, Elliot articled with Mark LaFrance, a certified specialist in family law practicing in Kingston Ontario. Elliot is very involved in the community, including sitting on the Board of the Burlington Downtown Business Association as well as membership in the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Halton County Law Association.
Throughout his career, Elliot has effectively represented clients in a calm and confident manner. His fair but firm negotiation tactics have resulted in quick and successful separations, achieving the best results for his clients while keeping costs low. He regularly appears in Provincial and Superior Courts in Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Niagara and Haldimand-Norfolk where he has a reputation as a tough litigator. Elliot is also an experienced Appeals lawyer.
With clients, Elliot is friendly and approachable, enjoys working with numbers, and responds quickly to his clients’ emails, questions and concerns.
Kathy is a senior family law lawyer, working as Counsel in association at Stoner & Company. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 after graduating from McGill University Law School. Kathy has been a litigator in the Ontario courts, including the Superior Court and Ontario Court for over 30 years.
Since her call to the Bar, Kathy has practiced in the civil and family law areas as a member of several prominent law firms in the Hamilton and Halton area. She has acted as a representative of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, representing the best interests of children, while practicing in Hamilton. She also worked as a part-time prosecutor in the Hamilton Ontario Court early in her career.
Kathy completed the family law mediation course through Riverdale Mediation in Toronto, and is also trained as a Collaborative Lawyer. She is member of the Collaborative Practice Associaiton of Hamilton/Halton. She has also obtained her Certificate in Elder Law through Osgoode Hall Law School. In addition to her practice, Kathy is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Law Association, and is the incoming Vice President of the Halton County Law Association. In addition, she is a member of the executive of the Family Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, and the Child and Youth Law Section and the newly created Elder Law section of the Ontario Bar Association.
She is a mentor lawyer to young lawyers who are proceeding to be licensed to practice law in Ontario through the Law Practice Program (LPP) at Ryerson University, and a tutor in family law for the Law Society of Upper Canada Bar Admission Program. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, Hamilton Law Association, Halton County Law Association, Advocate’s Society, and the AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), Ontario branch. Kathy also volunteers at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, in both the Hospital Elder Life Program and Welcome program.
Jordan Welsh is a lawyer at Stoner & Company, having articled at the firm before being called to the Bar. He received his LL.B from the University of York Law School, where he also obtained a Master of Laws in 2016. In 2017, Jordan received a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Society of Canada. Jordan appears regularly in both the Ontario and Superior Court of Justices, effectively and successfully arguing for his clients. He also has experience arguing at the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Jordan raises money for SickKids Foundation, provided tutoring to students while at university, and was Social Secretary of the York Law Society, where he also played rugby. Jordan currently plays Australian Rules Football for the Toronto Rebels (which Stoner & Company proudly sponsors). He is a member of the Halton County Law Association and the Advocates Society.
Nicole Stasi is a lawyer at Stoner & Company Family Law, having articled at the firm before getting called to the Bar. Nicole graduated from Queen’s University, Faculty of Law in 2020 with a Juris Doctor degree, where she was on the Dean’s List. In 2017, Nicole also graduated with high distinction from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science. While at law school, Nicole volunteered at Queen’s Legal Aid, Pro Bono Students Canada, and tutored fellow law students.
Nicole’s practice includes all areas of divorce and family law, including parenting issues, child support, spousal support, and property issues. Nicole is passionate and committed to working with her clients to obtain the best possible resolution, either through negotiated settlements or family court litigation. She is a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Halton County Law Association, and the Peel Law Association.
Gurveer Gill is a lawyer at Stoner & Company Family Law, having articled at the firm before getting called to the Bar. Gurveer graduated from Western Law in 2020 with a J.D. Degree. He also graduated Cum Laude from York University in 2016 with a Specialized Honours BSc in Kinesiology and Health Science.
While studying law, Gurveer volunteered with Community Legal Services as a member of the Family Law Team, where he helped provide accessible family law services to residents of London, Ontario. He also had the opportunity to participate in the Family Law Externship, which gave him the opportunity to shadow family law professionals such as Duty Counsel, lawyers, and a family court Judge. Gurveer is a compassionate and dedicated advocate who strives to help clients get the best possible result as efficiently and effectively as possible. He is a member of the Halton County Law Association and the Advocates’ Society.
Scott Wodhams is a lawyer at Stoner & Company. Scott received his Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2021. He worked at Stoner & Company prior to attending and in his first summer of law school, and returned to the firm after completing his articles at a highly-ranked commercial and securities litigation boutique in Toronto. Scott brings a professional, solution-focused approach that recognizes the need to be cost-effective without sacrificing quality. Scott regularly appears in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice where he has consistently achieved favourable outcomes for his clients.
Scott was heavily involved in the University of Toronto Faculty of Law’s mooting program while in law school as both a coach and participant. He was also involved with David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights and Downtown Legal Services and played on the law school’s hockey team. Prior to law school, Scott received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, where he was significantly involved with the start-up community.
Scott has taken numerous courses in accounting, financial valuations and securities. He passed the Canadian Securities Course in 2015. Scott is a member of the Advocates’ Society, the Halton County Law Association and the Hamilton Law Association.
Brittany Rizzo is a lawyer at Stoner & Company Family Law. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor Law School in 2019 and was called to the bar in 2020. While in law school, Brittany volunteered at Windsor Law’s Community Legal Aid Clinic and ran the Wills Project through Pro Bono Students Canada to provide legal services to the most vulnerable members of the community. She was selected as winner of the longstanding Zuber Moot Competition by esteemed Judges of the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice. Brittany also received First Class Honours while studying Comparative European Legal Systems in Prato, Italy.
Brittany started her legal career in insurance defence litigation and has numerous successful decisions under her belt. She has exceptional written and oral advocacy skills which she used to represent large insurance companies in complex insurance disputes. Brittany has argued before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, Licence Appeal Tribunal, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and brings these same skills to the practice of family law. She is dedicated to helping families resolve their matters efficiently and effectively.
Brittany is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and is an appointed Notary Public. She has trekked to Dzongri in the Himalayas, and in her free time you will find her with her family and two boxer dogs.
We know how emotional and overwhelming family law matters can be. We’re here to help. We not only understand family law – we also take the time to understand our clients. This helps us to deliver the kind of personalized service you need during this challenging time in your life.
If we can’t speak to you right away (such as when we’re in court or with another client), we’ll respond as soon as we can. If your lawyer can’t get back to you promptly, someone else from our office will. Whenever possible, we will return calls and emails the same day.
Family law is complex and evolving. It requires dedication and focus to stay on top of the issues. That’s why, for over 20 years, Stoner & Company lawyers have done nothing else. Our team of lawyers and law clerks are highly trained and experienced in all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation, custody, access, child and spousal support, adoptions, child protection, property issues and cohabitation/marriage contracts. Our experience and credibility in court mean better results for you.
We take every person personally
We know how emotional and overwhelming family law matters can be. We’re here to help. We not only understand family law - we also take the time to understand our clients. This helps us to deliver the kind of personalized service you need during this challenging time in your life.
We’re here when you need us
If we can’t speak to you right away (such as when we’re in court or with another client), we’ll respond as soon as we can. If your lawyer can’t get back to you promptly, someone else from our office will. Whenever possible, we will return calls and emails the same day.
Specialized expertise means better results
Family law is complex and evolving. It requires dedication and focus to stay on top of the issues. That’s why, for over 20 years, Stoner & Company lawyers have done nothing else. Our team of lawyers and law clerks are highly trained and experienced in all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation, custody, access, child and spousal support, adoptions, child protection, property issues and cohabitation/marriage contracts. Our experience and credibility in court mean better results for you.
Our offices in Burlington and Oakville are open and we are continuing to work normal business hours. In order to limit the spread of COVID-19 our lawyers and staff are available for meetings with current clients and initial consultations via email, telephone, and video conference. In person meetings can be arranged however we encourage virtual meetings at this time. Contact 905.632.8607 or Reception@scfamilylaw.ca.
