J K Hannaford Barristers
7 lawyers · Established 2006 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 579 handling Family Law.
About J K Hannaford Barristers
J K Hannaford Barristers is a small Toronto firm that has focused exclusively on family law litigation since Julie Hannaford founded it in July 2006. The practice advises on domestic contracts, property division, support, custody and access, and child protection, and its lawyers are regularly retained for complex, high conflict matters. What started as a solo practice has grown into a team of partners, associates, law clerks, and students who work through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, depending on what a file calls for.
Hannaford holds an M.A. and an LLB, both from the University of Toronto, and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1985. Before opening the firm, Hannaford was a partner at a law firm, practising in the area of litigation. Hannaford now chairs the Trial Advocacy course as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, has taught trial practice at Osgoode Hall Law School, and has led advocacy training for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, the Advocates' Society, and the Canadian Bar Association. Hannaford has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for family law since 2009 and is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Julie Hannaford founded J K Hannaford Barristers in July 2006 after working as a partner at a law firm, practising in the area of litigation.
- Hannaford holds an M.A. and an LLB from the University of Toronto and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1985.
- Hannaford has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for family law since 2009.
- Hannaford is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and chairs the Trial Advocacy course at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
- Hannaford has served as a director of the Empire Club of Canada and of Bloorview Children's Hospital, Bloorview MacMillan Centre, and Bloorview Children's Hospital Foundation.
In the community
- The firm supports the Barbra Schlifer Clinic, the Red Door Family Shelter, and the Lawyers Feed the Hungry program.
- Its annual Gingerbread Holiday Party is a fundraiser for the Red Door Family Shelter.
- The firm has built an art collection through charitable auctions, including Art with Heart for Casey House, SNAP for Toronto's AIDS community, and Art Gems for the Creative Works Studio.
- The firm helped create the Sheila M. Holmes Memorial Bursary at the University of Toronto in memory of a former colleague.
- Julie Hannaford has served as a director of the Empire Club of Canada and of Bloorview Children's Hospital, Bloorview MacMillan Centre, and Bloorview Children's Hospital Foundation.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Woman-owned
LGBTQ+ friendlyLawyers 7
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2001–2019 · median 15 years in practice 3 of 7 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Toronto (2), Queen's University, University of Windsor 4 of 7 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is in 77 Bloor Street West, a 20 storey office tower at the corner of Bloor and Bay that was built in 1969 and renovated to LEED Gold standard in 2013. The building sits in Bloor-Yorkville, a Toronto district known for its galleries, art dealers, and designer boutiques, and it is just steps from the subway.
The location puts the firm's own art collection, assembled through charitable auctions like Art with Heart and SNAP, in a neighbourhood that is itself known for its galleries and art scene.
Frequently asked questions
- Does J K Hannaford Barristers handle divorce, custody, and support cases?
- Yes. The firm advises on domestic contracts, property division, spousal and child support, and custody and access, and it also handles child protection matters.
- Is family law the only area J K Hannaford Barristers practises?
- Yes. The firm has focused exclusively on family law litigation since Julie Hannaford founded it in 2006.
- Can the firm handle a high conflict custody or property dispute?
- The firm says it is regularly retained for complex, high conflict family law matters, and its lawyers work through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration as well as litigation, depending on the case.
- Does the firm deal with business valuation issues in a divorce?
- The firm's lawyers work on the intersection of family law and business valuation, including support and property claims that involve chartered business valuators, accountants, and financial planners.
- Where is J K Hannaford Barristers located?
- The firm's office is at 77 Bloor Street West, Suite 1703, in Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville area, near the corner of Bloor Street and Bay Street.
- How long has J K Hannaford Barristers been practising family law in Toronto?
- The firm was founded in July 2006 by Julie Hannaford and has grown from a solo practice into a team of partners, associates, and law clerks who work exclusively in family law.
Where to find them
77 Bloor Street West, Suite 1703, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1M2 · 416-203-5660
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Family LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗