Does MacDonald & Partners handle cases where a child has been taken to another country?

Yes. The firm handles international child custody and abduction matters under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which applies when a child under 16 who was habitually resident in Canada has been taken to, or is being kept in, another country that is a party to the Convention. For non Hague countries, the firm looks at other available legal processes.

Do my spouse and I have to go to court to get divorced?

Not necessarily. Most family law cases settle by agreement between the parties without going to court, and courts generally encourage that. If everything else is resolved by agreement, court involvement is usually only needed to formally process the divorce itself.

Can my spouse and I use the same lawyer for our separation?

No. Each person needs independent legal advice, since your interests and options can differ and one lawyer cannot advise both sides.

What languages does the MacDonald & Partners team speak?

According to the firm's contact page, its lawyers and staff speak English, French, Mandarin, Hebrew, Lebanese, Farsi, Japanese, Portuguese, and Slovak.

How long has MacDonald & Partners been practicing family law?

The current firm was founded in 1992 by James C. MacDonald, who earlier co-founded MacDonald and Ferrier, described on the firm's website as the first law firm in Canada devoted solely to family law.

Does the firm only go to court, or can it help resolve a separation out of court?

The firm works through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative practice, and moves to litigation only when that approach fits a client's situation better.

MacDonald & Partners LLP | LawOnline Directory

About MacDonald & Partners LLP

MacDonald & Partners LLP is a Toronto law firm that practices exclusively in family law from an office at 155 University Avenue in the city's financial district. It traces its roots to MacDonald and Ferrier, a firm its own website describes as the first in Canada devoted solely to family law. Its founder, James C. MacDonald, persuaded the Canadian Bar Association to create a dedicated family law section in 1967 and co-wrote Canadian Divorce Law and Practice, published in 1969. In 1992, MacDonald founded the firm that became MacDonald & Partners LLP.

The firm today has nine partners, one counsel, and a number of associates and students, and it handles divorce and separation, custody and access, property division, domestic contracts, and international child custody and abduction cases under the Hague Convention. Its lawyers work through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative practice, and take a matter to litigation when that route suits a client better. According to its contact page, the firm's team speaks English, French, Mandarin, Hebrew, Lebanese, Farsi, Japanese, Portuguese, and Slovak.

Practice areas

Family Law

Milestones & recognition

MacDonald and Ferrier, founded by James C. MacDonald together with Justice Lee Ferrier, was the first law firm in Canada devoted solely to the practice of family law.
In 1967, the firm's founder persuaded the Canadian Bar Association to establish a separate family law section.
In 1969, the founder co-wrote Canadian Divorce Law and Practice, a text the firm's website says remains a standard reference in the field.
In 1992, James C. MacDonald founded the firm that became MacDonald & Partners LLP.
One of the firm's lawyers is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and has been reported in over 350 family law decisions at all court levels in Ontario and Alberta.
The firm is listed in Best Lawyers 2026, and six of its partners have been named to Toronto's Top Lawyers.

In the community

The firm sponsored the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic's SHE MATTERS brunch in March 2024, an annual fundraising event for the clinic's work with women who have experienced violence.
The firm sponsored the AFCC Walsh Family Law Moot Competition, a law school moot court competition in family law, with a firm partner serving as a judge.
Firm lawyers have presented on international child abduction law under the Hague Convention to judges at a National Judicial Institute seminar for the Supreme Court of British Columbia and at conferences of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible A calendar with a checkmark beside a clock

By appointment

Lawyers 21

This firm’s lawyers at a glance

Called to the bar: 2002–2026 · median 6 years in practice 13 of 21 lawyers
Law schools: Osgoode Hall Law School (7), Queen's University (3), University of Windsor (3), University of Sussex, University of Toronto, Western University 16 of 21 lawyers
Languages on the roster: English, French, Hebrew, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Slovak

Who handles what

The neighbourhood

The firm's office is in 155 University Avenue, an office tower completed in 1971 and designed by WZMH Architects, in Toronto's financial core. University Avenue is one of the city's widest boulevards and runs past Osgoode Hall and the Toronto courthouse further north, a fitting stretch of downtown for a firm that takes family law matters through mediation, arbitration, or the courts as each case calls for.

Frequently asked questions

Does MacDonald & Partners handle cases where a child has been taken to another country?: Yes. The firm handles international child custody and abduction matters under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which applies when a child under 16 who was habitually resident in Canada has been taken to, or is being kept in, another country that is a party to the Convention. For non Hague countries, the firm looks at other available legal processes.
Do my spouse and I have to go to court to get divorced?: Not necessarily. Most family law cases settle by agreement between the parties without going to court, and courts generally encourage that. If everything else is resolved by agreement, court involvement is usually only needed to formally process the divorce itself.
Can my spouse and I use the same lawyer for our separation?: No. Each person needs independent legal advice, since your interests and options can differ and one lawyer cannot advise both sides.
What languages does the MacDonald & Partners team speak?: According to the firm's contact page, its lawyers and staff speak English, French, Mandarin, Hebrew, Lebanese, Farsi, Japanese, Portuguese, and Slovak.
How long has MacDonald & Partners been practicing family law?: The current firm was founded in 1992 by James C. MacDonald, who earlier co-founded MacDonald and Ferrier, described on the firm's website as the first law firm in Canada devoted solely to family law.
Does the firm only go to court, or can it help resolve a separation out of court?: The firm works through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative practice, and moves to litigation only when that approach fits a client's situation better.

Where to find them

155 University Ave. Suite 1700, Toronto, ON M5H 3B7 · 416-971-4802

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Listing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗