SchumanLaw
1 lawyer · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 579 handling Family Law.
Virtual appointments
Virtual appointmentsAbout SchumanLaw
SchumanLaw is a Toronto family law practice built around John P. Schuman, a Certified Specialist in Family Law who also handles education law and children's rights matters. The firm takes on separation, divorce, custody, access, child support, spousal support, property division, and marriage or cohabitation agreements, along with children's aid society and child protection files. It also offers family mediation, arbitration, and Collaborative Practice as alternatives to a court fight.
Schuman's path to law started outside it: an Honours B.A. from Queen's University in 1994 was followed by a paramedic designation in 1995, work Schuman still keeps current. Law school at the University of Windsor and an LLM in child and family law followed, with a 1999 thesis on questioning child witnesses that is still cited as an authority on the subject. Schuman was called to the bar in 2001, worked as counsel for a children's aid society, practised at a small Toronto family law litigation firm, and led the education and family law groups at a 60 lawyer firm before establishing SchumanLaw.
Schuman wrote the Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, now in its fifth edition, edits the child in the courtroom chapter of Wilson on Children and the Law, and co-wrote the child protection chapter of Evidence in Family Law. Schuman also hosts the Ontario Family Law Podcast.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- John P. Schuman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, a designation from the Law Society that recognizes lawyers with focused experience and training in a practice area.
- Schuman is the author of the Guide to the Basics of Ontario Family Law, now in its fifth edition, and a trained family mediator, arbitrator, and Collaborative Lawyer.
- Schuman's 1999 LLM thesis on questioning child witnesses is still cited as an authority on obtaining evidence from children.
- Before founding SchumanLaw, Schuman led the education and family law groups at a 60 lawyer Toronto firm.
In the community
- Schuman sits on the Systemic Legal Issues Working Group at the Hospital for Sick Children and assists with the hospital's Family Legal Health Program.
- Schuman works with the Child Advocacy Project of Pro Bono Law Ontario.
- Schuman is a paramedic outside of the law practice and takes part in the Paramedic Ride, an event that raises money in memory of paramedics who have died in the line of duty.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
LGBTQ+ friendly
Virtual appointments
By appointmentWho handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
SchumanLaw's main office sits at Kingston Road and Main Street in Toronto's east end Beaches area, a stretch of the city known for its residential streets and independent shops rather than a downtown legal district. The firm's own directions point clients past the Big Carrot natural foods market on the southeast corner and note free parking behind the building near the Kingston House Restaurant, a sign of a neighbourhood built for walking in and parking easily rather than fighting for a downtown spot.
The office also sits close to the Don Valley Parkway and to both TTC and GO Transit service, which matters for a family law practice that draws clients from across the city and not just the immediate area. SchumanLaw also keeps a downtown meeting location on Bay Street for clients who prefer not to travel east, and most consultations now happen by video conference regardless of which address a client is closer to.
Frequently asked questions
- Does SchumanLaw handle divorce, custody, and child support cases?
- Yes. Family law is the firm's core practice, covering separation, divorce, custody, access, child support, spousal support, and property division.
- Can SchumanLaw help if a children's aid society is involved with my family?
- Yes. The firm takes on child protection cases involving children's aid societies, and John Schuman has worked as counsel for a children's aid society earlier in Schuman's career.
- My child was suspended or expelled, or the school won't provide accommodations. Can SchumanLaw help?
- Yes. Education law and children's rights are a specific focus of the firm, including suspensions, expulsions, bullying, and the rights of students with special needs in both public and private schools.
- Does SchumanLaw only go to court, or does it offer mediation?
- The firm offers family mediation, arbitration, and Collaborative Practice as ways to resolve a family law matter without a full court fight, alongside litigation when that is the right path.
- How big is SchumanLaw and who will handle my case?
- SchumanLaw is built around John P. Schuman, a Certified Specialist in Family Law, so clients work directly with the lawyer handling the file rather than being passed between a large team.
- Where is SchumanLaw located and can I meet without travelling downtown?
- The main office is at Kingston Road and Main Street in Toronto's east end, with a downtown meeting location on Bay Street as well. Most consultations are conducted by video conference for clients who prefer not to travel at all.
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