Bani Family Law
2 lawyers · Established 2021 · York Region
One of 204 law firms listed in Markham, and one of 72 handling Family Law.
Free consultation
Virtual appointments
Free consultationVirtual appointmentsAbout Bani Family Law
Bani Family Law is a Markham, Ontario firm dedicated exclusively to family law. Principal lawyer Shelly Banihashemi founded the firm in 2021, after being called to the Ontario bar in 2011 and practicing family law exclusively ever since, first clerking, articling, and working as an associate at two small family law firms in the GTA. Banihashemi is a certified collaborative family lawyer, trained to resolve matters through negotiation rather than litigation, and also appears before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice when a case has to go to court.
The office at 500 Hood Rd is a genuine home base rather than a satellite location, close to Highway 404, Highway 407, and Highway 7, and within reach of Markham neighbourhoods like Unionville, Cornell, Milliken, and Berczy Village. Associate lawyer Lemooriya Ananthan, who graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2021 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2023, rounds out the team, handling divorce, support, parenting, and property matters for clients across Markham, Richmond Hill, and the wider GTA. Between them, Banihashemi and Ananthan offer consultations in English, Farsi, and Tamil, a fit for one of Canada's most diverse cities.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Shelly Banihashemi founded Bani Family Law in 2021, after being called to the Ontario bar in 2011 and practicing family law exclusively since then.
- Before founding the firm, Banihashemi clerked, articled, and worked as an associate at two small family law firms in the GTA.
- Banihashemi is a certified collaborative family lawyer.
- Associate lawyer Lemooriya Ananthan graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2021 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2023.
In the community
- Associate lawyer Lemooriya Ananthan is a member of the Women's Committee of the Canadian Tamils' Chamber of Commerce.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Woman-owned
Virtual appointments
By appointment
In-person servicesFees & payment
Free consultationThis firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2011–2023 · median 9 years in practice 2 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School 1 of 2 lawyers
- Languages on the roster
- Farsi, Tamil
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Markham is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada, and Bani Family Law built its practice around that. Principal lawyer Shelly Banihashemi speaks Farsi fluently and associate lawyer Lemooriya Ananthan speaks Tamil fluently, so a client can go through a divorce or custody dispute in English, Farsi, or Tamil instead of working through a language barrier on top of everything else.
The firm's office at 500 Hood Rd isn't a satellite location picked for a mailing address. It's the firm's actual home base, close to Highway 404, Highway 407, and Highway 7 and within a manageable drive of Markham communities like Unionville, Cornell, Milliken, and Berczy Village, which matters for clients who need to come in for meetings or get to court on short notice.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Bani Family Law only take clients from Markham?
- No. The firm is based in Markham but regularly serves clients throughout Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Scarborough, Toronto, Oshawa, Brampton, and the wider GTA.
- Can I have my consultation in Farsi or Tamil?
- Yes. Principal lawyer Shelly Banihashemi is a fluent Farsi speaker and associate lawyer Lemooriya Ananthan is a fluent Tamil speaker, and both can conduct consultations in those languages.
- Is the first consultation free?
- Yes, Bani Family Law offers a free 15 minute initial consultation for individuals and families seeking guidance on an Ontario family law matter.
- What family law matters does Bani Family Law handle?
- The firm handles divorce and separation, child support and spousal support, parenting time and decision making responsibility, property and matrimonial home division, cohabitation agreements and marriage contracts, and court proceedings when a matter can't be resolved by agreement.
- Does Bani Family Law only go to court, or can it help me settle out of court?
- Principal lawyer Shelly Banihashemi is a certified collaborative family lawyer, trained to resolve family law matters through negotiation, and the firm also represents clients before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice when litigation becomes necessary.
- How long has Bani Family Law been practicing family law?
- Principal lawyer Shelly Banihashemi has practiced family law exclusively since being called to the Ontario bar in 2011, and founded Bani Family Law in 2021.
Where to find them
500 Hood Rd, Suite 400, Markham, Ontario L3R 9Z3 · 647-551-2264
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