Clayton R. Spencer
1 lawyer · Established 1998 · Durham Region
One of 48 law firms listed in Whitby, and one of 22 handling Family Law.
About Clayton R. Spencer
Clayton R. Spencer runs a sole family law practice in Whitby, Ontario, and has served Durham Region since being called to the Ontario bar in 1998. The practice covers divorce and separation, custody and access, child and spousal support, property division, and child protection matters, along with collaborative family law and arbitration. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in history from the University of Toronto, then completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Western Ontario, where the coursework included a Dean's Honour List placement and the Granger Prize in Family Law. Before opening the practice, Spencer spent a year as a law clerk at the Ontario Court of Justice, doing legal research across family, criminal, and civil rotations.
The practice pairs courtroom experience with alternative dispute resolution. Spencer completed Level II Collaborative Family Law training in 2007 and was appointed a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Oshawa Family Court in 2011. Spencer has also sat on Durham Region's personal rights panel for the Office of the Children's Lawyer since 2009.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Called to the Ontario bar in 1998 and has practiced family law in Durham Region ever since.
- Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in history from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario, including the Granger Prize in Family Law and a Dean's Honour List placement.
- Completed Level II Collaborative Family Law training in 2007.
- Appointed a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Oshawa Family Court in 2011.
- Has served on Durham Region's personal rights panel for the Office of the Children's Lawyer since 2009.
In the community
- Volunteers monthly at Luke's Place.
- Co-authored an Emergency Motions Toolkit for volunteers and staff supporting abused women through the family court process.
- Belongs to the Canadian Bar Association's Family Law Section, the Durham Region Law Association, the Collaborative Family Law Association, and The Advocates' Society.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 1
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The office sits on Cochrane Street in Whitby, reached from Highway 401 by way of Brock Street and Rossland Road. The firm's own directions describe a laneway off the boulevard that runs back to a parking area behind the building, a small-scale, side-street setting rather than a downtown legal row. From there, Spencer's practice covers all of Durham Region rather than just Whitby itself, consistent with the firm's Family Court Dispute Resolution Officer role for the region and its membership in Durham Collaborative Practice.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Clayton R. Spencer handle divorce and custody cases in Whitby?
- Yes. The practice is exclusively family law and has represented Durham Region clients in divorce, custody and access, and child protection matters since 1998.
- What is collaborative family law, and does the firm offer it?
- Collaborative family law is a voluntary process where separating spouses and their lawyers work out an agreement without going to court. Spencer completed Level II Collaborative Family Law training in 2007 and offers this option alongside traditional litigation.
- Can Clayton R. Spencer act as a mediator or arbitrator in a family law dispute?
- Yes. Spencer is a trained arbitrator and offers arbitration services for family law disputes, in addition to representing clients in court.
- Does the firm handle child support and spousal support matters?
- Yes. The practice covers child support, including Family Responsibility Office enforcement issues, and spousal support, including entitlement, quantum, and Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines calculations.
- Can I get a document notarized at this office?
- Yes. Notarization of documents is listed among the services offered at the Whitby office.
- How long has Clayton R. Spencer served Durham Region?
- Spencer was called to the Ontario bar in 1998 and has practiced family law in Durham Region continuously since then.
Where to find them
3575 Cochrane Street, Whitby, ON L1R 2P2 · 905-665-1667
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