Mediation Services

As a mediator, I act as a neutral third party facilitator to assist you and your spouse in addressing and resolving the issues surrounding your separation.

My experience tells me that mediation is often the most appropriate dispute resolution process. The benefits of mediation include:

I am an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc. F.M.) through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and have practiced Family Mediation for approximately 16 years (since 2004).

I am also certified with the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution where I completed an intensive 160 hour program in alternative dispute resolution.

I have been an active member of Ontario Association for Family Mediation for many years, having served on the Ottawa Board of Directors as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Membership Director.

Collaborative Family Law

With CFL, the parties and lawyers are focused on cooperative and collaborative negotiations. One of the keys to success of the CFL process is that the parties and lawyers all endorse, literally and figuratively, a contract not to litigate. CFL lawyers are specially trained family law lawyers. Negotiations generally transpire in 4-way meetings in a controlled, safe, and respectful setting.

Like mediation, Collaborative Family uses interest based negotiations with the aim of finding resolutions that meet the mutual goals of the parties. Like mediation, the collaborative process allows parties to think and implement solutions “outside the box”.

Respecting certain ground rules in the collaborative process allows communication to flow with a positive ‘forward’ thinking focus, leading to more productive negotiations as opposed to the traditional adversarial approach of lawyers.

I have been on the Board of Directors for Collaborative Practice Ottawa since 2013, currently as Treasurer.

Litigation Services

While litigation is generally the most costly family law resolution process, unfortunately it is sometimes a necessity. My litigation experience spans 20 years, and through that time I have seen the very painful effects it can have on the parties. Even where commencement of litigation is necessary, I will do my utmost to continue to work towards resolution at the very earliest opportunity. I will possibly recommend commencing court proceedings in the following circumstances:

Cohabitation & Marriage Contracts

It is strongly advised that partners who plan to cohabit or marry seek legal advice and potentially enter into a contract to determine rights and obligations upon separation or death. This is particularly true if this is not a first marriage or common law relationship and if either party has significant assets.

The matrimonial home is given very special treatment for married couples under the Ontario Family Law Act. If you are planning to move into a home owned by you or your fiancé before or after your wedding, there are significant implications to your property rights upon marriage breakdown or death.

In Ontario, the Family Law Act gives parties the right to enter into a contract that governs their property and spousal support rights upon breakdown of the relationship which will override the rights and obligations under the Ontario Family Law Act or Federal Divorce Act.

There are certain issues that cannot be addressed in a marriage or cohabitation agreement including parenting rights and, for married couples, rights relating to possession, financing or sale of the matrimonial home.

Terms of a marriage or cohabitation agreement can be negotiated through mediation or solicitor negotiation. In either case, disclosure and independent legal advice are crucial to ensure the agreement is not vulnerable to future attempts to set the agreement aside.

Stephanie Szczesniak

Dalhousie University : Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Dean's List)
McGill University : B.A. (with Distinction) - Political Science & Government

Originally from Halifax, Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) majoring in Political Science with a minor in Russian literature from McGill University in 2012. She subsequently attended the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University where she obtained her law degree, graduating on the Dean’s List, in 2015.

Stephanie went on to article for Legal Aid Manitoba where she focused almost exclusively upon litigating matters of family law and child protection. She was called to the Bar of Manitoba in June of 2016.

Stephanie was subsequently called to the Bar of Ontario in September of 2016 and found a perfect match with Cohen Family Law, a firm she was drawn to given Barb Cohen’s strong emphasis on alternative dispute resolution. Since joining Cohen Family Law, Stephanie has received her training in Collaborative Family Law and has also become an accredited Family Law Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation.

Sandra Garvey

Carleton University : Bachelor of Commerce (BComm)

Sandra started working with Barbara in 2006, having received her Bachelor of Commerce in 1986. She was brought into the team not only for her expertise with numbers but her keen intelligence and sense of justice. Having left a lucrative career with Canada Post to raise her four children, Barbara was the lucky recipient of her new career path upon her return to the work force.

The reality is, lawyers are not trained in accounting or to deal with the multitude of complexities in this field relating to Family Law. Adding Sandra to the team has been a godsend and we have learned a great deal from each other. Her expertise with numbers and her ability to apply this to her now extensive knowledge of Family Law has added a great service to clients at a much reduced cost.

Clients are continually praising Sandra on “LawyerRatingz” for her passion, compassion and overall attention to detail that are so important to Family Law. Sandra is very much responsible for the success of Cohen Family Law.

Holly McKenzie

Algonquin College : Law Clerk Intensive (GPA 3.89)

Holly began her employment at Cohen Family Law in 2022 as a new graduate. In 2019, she graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Honours Criminology and Criminal Justice degree (Dean’s List) with a concentration in Sociology. In 2020, she completed a Victimology Post-Graduate Certificate (Dean’s List) and received the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime - Advocacy award. In 2022, she obtained a Diploma in the accelerated Law Clerk program at Algonquin College (Dean’s List).

Holly's knowledge and experience in Family Law has grown substantially since she started at Cohen Family Law, and she has become an invaluable member of the team

Nicholas Frid

Western University : Doctor of Law (J.D.)
McGill University : B.A. - Major in History, Minor in Political Science

Nick received his Bachelor of Arts majoring in History with a minor in Political Science from McGill University in 2012. Nick briefly worked for a non-profit in South Africa. He then attended Western Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2016.

Nick started his law career at a large law firm in Oshawa, Ontario where he primarily focused on Family Law and agency work for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. After a few years of practice with a focus on litigation, Nick decided that he wanted to focus on Family Law exclusively, including alternate dispute resolution processes. To this end, he reached out to Barbara Cohen, and both soon realized that Nick would be a perfect fit for Cohen Family Law. He and his family made the move to Ottawa and he started with Cohen Family Law in May, 2021.

Nick is well on his way to completing his family mediation accreditation with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation.