Rechtshaffen, Breitman Family Law & Mediation
1 lawyer · Established 1997 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 579 handling Family Law.
About Rechtshaffen, Breitman Family Law & Mediation
Rechtshaffen, Breitman Family Law & Mediation is a small family law firm in downtown Toronto, founded by Jeff Rechtshaffen and Rosanna Breitman. The firm's own site describes more than 50 years of combined family law experience among its lawyers. Jeff was called to the Ontario Bar in 1993 after a B.A. from York University and an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario. Rosanna was called to the bar in 1997, with a B.A. from Western and an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School. The practice handles family law only: separation, divorce, custody and support, and division of property.
The two founders take different paths within the same firm. Jeff continues to practise litigation, negotiation and collaborative family law, representing clients in court and at the negotiating table. Rosanna moved to a mediation only practice in 2006, holding an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) designation from the Ontario Association for Family Mediation earned in 2003 and an LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School completed in 2012. The team also includes associate lawyer Keith Davis, called to the Ontario Bar in 2023, and law clerk Liza Ustenova.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm was founded by Jeff Rechtshaffen and Rosanna Breitman under the name it still carries.
- Jeff Rechtshaffen was called to the Ontario Bar in 1993; Rosanna Breitman was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997.
- Rosanna Breitman completed Basic and Advanced Family Mediation training at the University of Waterloo in 2002, then earned an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) designation from the Ontario Association for Family Mediation in 2003.
- Rosanna Breitman restricted the practice to family mediation in 2006 and later completed an LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2012.
In the community
- Jeff Rechtshaffen is a member and past board member of Collaborative Practice Toronto.
- Rosanna Breitman works part time as a Supervising Mediator with Peel Family Mediation Services, mediating cases through the Brampton Family Court system and mentoring mediators working toward accreditation.
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is in the Law Chambers building at 393 University Avenue, at University Avenue and Dundas Street West, a highrise that leases its suites specifically to lawyers and small legal practices. It's the kind of shared professional address common among smaller family law and mediation practices in downtown Toronto, rather than a firm's own standalone office. The building sits close to the Superior Court of Justice, the Toronto courthouse, and City Hall, which is relevant for a firm whose work spans litigation as well as mediation and collaborative law, and it's a short walk from the St Patrick subway station.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the firm only handle court cases, or can it help outside of litigation too?
- Rechtshaffen, Breitman works through several routes: litigation, negotiation, mediation, and collaborative family law. Jeff Rechtshaffen practises litigation, negotiation and collaborative family law, while Rosanna Breitman has worked exclusively as a family mediator since 2006, so a case can be matched to the process that fits it.
- What's the difference between mediation and collaborative family law?
- In mediation, a neutral third party helps both spouses negotiate their own resolution directly. In collaborative family law, each spouse has a lawyer and both sides sign a Participation Agreement committing to settle without going to court; if the case does end up in litigation, both collaborative lawyers have to withdraw.
- Will what I say in mediation be used against me if the case later goes to court?
- The firm's mediation FAQ page explains that in closed mediation, nothing said during a session can be used by either party in later court proceedings.
- Can mediation still work if our separation is high conflict?
- The firm's FAQ page says mediation isn't only for amicable separations. Many medium to high conflict families can still benefit if both people want to resolve things, feel safe doing so, and are willing to fully disclose their finances.
- Is there a cost for a first meeting?
- Rechtshaffen, Breitman offers a free half hour consultation, booked by phone at 416-861-1880.
- How long has the firm been practising family law in Toronto?
- Rechtshaffen, Breitman was founded by Jeff Rechtshaffen and Rosanna Breitman, and its site describes more than 50 years of combined family law experience among its lawyers today.
Where to find them
393 University Avenue, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E6 · 416-861-1880
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Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗