Lawyer Profile

Biography

Melanie’s practice is focused on family law. She maintained a civil and family litigation practice at prominent Bay Street and family law boutique firms prior to joining PooranLaw, and has acted for family, estate and real estate lawyers in professional negligence matters. Melanie’s family law practice encompasses all aspects of family law issues, including custody and access, corporate law issues in family law matters relating to shareholders’ remedies, tax and complex support, equalization and business valuation issues. She has represented clients at various levels of court, including as counsel in civil and family law trials, before administrative tribunals and in mediation and arbitration. She received her Collaborative Practice certification in 2018. Melanie has a particular interest in disability related issues in family law matters. She has represented children and youth with disabilities in family law matters, in addition to assisting her clients with disabilities and/or their children with disabilities access the appropriate supports, accommodations and professional and other legal services they require to successfully resolve their family law disputes. In addition to her family law practice, Melanie represents children and youth with disabilities and identified exceptionalities in education law matters. She strives to ensure that the special needs of children and youth are accommodated and supported in our public schools so that they can meaningfully access their legal right to an education. Melanie received her law degree from the University of Windsor and also holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. She was called to the bar in Ontario in 2008. Melanie actively volunteers in her community and currently serves as the President of the Toronto Chapter of Autism Ontario, the Vice-President of the Ontario Autism Coalition and is a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee. She also volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario's Education Law Project and is a mentor to law students through the University of Windsor student mentoring program. An avid runner and varsity athlete, including completing the Chicago and Boston marathons, Melanie has received awards for excellence in combining academic and athletic achievement. She is a member of The Advocates’ Society, the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.