Borden Family Law
2 lawyers · Durham Region, York Region
One of 91 law firms listed in Oshawa, and one of 47 handling Family Law.
About Borden Family Law
Borden Family Law is a Durham Region firm that practices exclusively in family law, with its main office in Oshawa and a second office in Thornhill that extends its reach into York Region. The firm has focused on family law since the early 2000s, when founder Mark Borden began building a family law practice. Borden was called to the California State Bar in 1998, then completed the Canadian equivalency courses required at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law and was called to the Law Society of Ontario. Borden started Borden & Goddard LLP as managing partner in 2003, then went on to found what is now Borden Family Lawyers.
Since 2009, Borden has also served as a dispute resolution officer for case conferences at the Superior Court of Justice's Family Court branch in Oshawa. The firm's second lawyer, Nicolas Carnovale, earned a law degree with honours in commercial law from City, University of London, then articled in personal injury law before being called to the Bar of Ontario in 2026. Law clerk Amanda Crocker, a graduate of Durham College and Trent University with more than 15 years of family law experience, works alongside the lawyers on each file. The firm builds bundled, flat fee packages so clients aren't always paying for full representation start to finish.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Mark Borden was called to the California State Bar in 1998 and later to the Law Society of Ontario.
- Borden started Borden & Goddard LLP as managing partner in 2003, before founding what is now Borden Family Lawyers.
- Since 2009, Borden has served as a dispute resolution officer overseeing case conferences at the Superior Court of Justice's Family Court branch in Oshawa.
- Nicolas Carnovale earned a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in Commercial Law from City, University of London in 2021 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2026.
In the community
- Mark Borden volunteered as head coach in the North York Hockey League and the Greater Toronto Hockey League for seven seasons.
- Nicolas Carnovale has coaching and teaching experience in youth hockey.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2001–2026 · median 12 years in practice 2 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- City, University of London, University of San Diego School of Law 2 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
Borden Family Law's main office is in Oshawa, the largest municipality in Durham Region by population. Oshawa is also home to the Superior Court of Justice's Family Court branch on Bond Street, where family motions, trials, judicial dispute resolution conferences, and child protection matters are scheduled. Mark Borden has served since 2009 as a dispute resolution officer for case conferences at that same court, work that runs alongside the firm's own family law files in the city.
The firm's second office is in Thornhill, the community that straddles Vaughan and Markham along Yonge Street in York Region. It gives Borden Family Law a location further west for clients closer to that part of the GTA, separate from the Durham Region base in Oshawa.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Borden Family Law handle anything besides family law?
- Family law is the firm's only focus, covering matters like divorce, separation, child custody and support, spousal support, and property division. The firm also handles wills, estates, trusts, and powers of attorney, since those often come up alongside a separation or divorce.
- Where are Borden Family Law's offices?
- The main office is in Oshawa, and a second office is in Thornhill. From Oshawa the firm serves Durham Region communities including Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville, Clarington, Courtice, Port Perry, and Cobourg.
- What is a bundled legal service package?
- Instead of paying for full representation from start to finish, clients can purchase a defined set of tasks, like getting a case into court and through the first case conference, or preparing a separation agreement alongside a divorce. The firm built this option to make family law representation more affordable.
- Will I work with a lawyer, a law clerk, or both?
- Both. Clients work with a lawyer and a law clerk together on their file. Law clerk Amanda Crocker, who has more than 15 years of family law experience, works alongside the firm's lawyers on drafting and case management.
- Who are the lawyers at Borden Family Law?
- Mark Borden, who was called to the Law Society of Ontario after being admitted to the California State Bar in 1998, and Nicolas Carnovale, who was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2026 after articling in personal injury law.
- Does Borden Family Law prefer to negotiate or go to trial?
- The firm generally recommends negotiated settlements, collaborative family law, mediation, or arbitration ahead of a trial, describing trial as costly and uncertain. It will still take a matter to court when that's what the case requires.
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