About Barbara

– Over 25 Years Experience –

Barbara Gordon has been a family lawyer in Toronto for over 25 years. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1989, after completing her B.A. with Honours at York University and her LL.B. degree from the University of Western Ontario. Barbara began a solo practice in 1998, then from 2011 worked in association with Michael Kleinman, and returned to her solo practice in January 2021.

Barbara is known for her warmth and creativity while working through the various complex and stressful problems that face her family law clients. She ensures each client is educated about the law, and in control of his or her case, every step of the way.

Barbara’s solution-oriented approach helps clients resolve issues such as parenting, child and spousal support, and property division using one of several available settlement process options. Certified as a Collaborative Family Law practitioner, Barbara represents clients in the Collaborative Process as well as in traditional negotiations or mediation, whichever process best suits the client and their goals. Barbara also assists clients planning to live together or marry by negotiating Domestic Contracts which clarify financial and other arrangements.

Barbara coordinates with independent financial and family professionals who can provide services to support all aspects of separation and divorce. With the right team, clients can be enabled to make solid decisions and create durable solutions supporting the two most important areas of their lives – their children and their finances.

Barbara is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Ontario Bar Association. She is also an active member of the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals (“OACP”), the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners and Collaborative Divorce Toronto (formerly Collaborative Practice Toronto). Barbara sat on the Board of Collaborative Practice Toronto, chairing the Marketing Committee, which generated exciting initiatives to bring a better awareness of Collaborative Family Law and its benefits to other professionals and to the public. She recently earned the OACP designation of Advanced Collaborative Practitioner; one of only a few collaborative professionals in Ontario to have earned the designation to date. More information about this recently established level of professional competence can be found on the OACP website. Barbara has presented at the Law Society of Upper Canada Continuing Legal Education program on Collaborative Family Law and has appeared multiple times in the media, discussing Collaborative Family Law and family law in general.

Barbara maintains a work/life balance that enables her to pursue a lifelong love of music and art. She is a Toronto vocalist who performed regularly in well known Toronto jazz venues and has released two jazz big band albums, Eight to the Bar and For the Record. She has also created and directs Heddington Halloween, a neighbourhood-wide annual fundraiser for SickKids hospital, raising thousands of dollars annually.