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Giving Tree Family Law
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  • ABOUT US
  • TEAM
  • SERVICES
    • OVERVIEW
    • DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
    • CHILD CUSTODY AND SUPPORT
    • SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • ASSET DIVISION
    • PRENUPS AND CO-HABITATION
    • ADOPTION AND GUARDIANSHIP
    • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
    • GRANDPARENT RIGHTS
    • MEDIATION & COLLABORATION
    • SAME-SEX FAMILY LAW
    • SURROGACY REPRODUCTIVELAW
    • LITIGATION
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • More
    • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • TEAM
    • SERVICES
      • OVERVIEW
      • DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
      • CHILD CUSTODY AND SUPPORT
      • SPOUSAL SUPPORT
      • ASSET DIVISION
      • PRENUPS AND CO-HABITATION
      • ADOPTION AND GUARDIANSHIP
      • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
      • GRANDPARENT RIGHTS
      • MEDIATION & COLLABORATION
      • SAME-SEX FAMILY LAW
      • SURROGACY REPRODUCTIVELAW
      • LITIGATION
    • NEWS
    • CONTACT US
Giving Tree Family Law
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • TEAM
  • SERVICES
    • OVERVIEW
    • DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
    • CHILD CUSTODY AND SUPPORT
    • SPOUSAL SUPPORT
    • ASSET DIVISION
    • PRENUPS AND CO-HABITATION
    • ADOPTION AND GUARDIANSHIP
    • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
    • GRANDPARENT RIGHTS
    • MEDIATION & COLLABORATION
    • SAME-SEX FAMILY LAW
    • SURROGACY REPRODUCTIVELAW
    • LITIGATION
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US

our team

Meet Our Team

Our multi-disciplinary team of experts is comprised of experienced family lawyers, paralegals, forensic accountants and administrative staff creating a diversity and depth of knowledge, approaches and expertise at Giving Tree Family Law. 

Abha Sharma family lawyer

Abha Sharma, Lawyer Of Counsel

Monika Goyal, Lawyer Of Counsel

Monika Goyal, Lawyer Of Counsel


Abha Sharma has dedicated over a decade to Family Law, excelling at court appearances at various levels, agreement drafting, and providing litigation support and management.

As a passionate advocate, Abha prioritizes safeguarding and championing your rights as her foremost and paramount duty. Her legal practice extends to Family Law, Domes


Abha Sharma has dedicated over a decade to Family Law, excelling at court appearances at various levels, agreement drafting, and providing litigation support and management.

As a passionate advocate, Abha prioritizes safeguarding and championing your rights as her foremost and paramount duty. Her legal practice extends to Family Law, Domestic Violence Matters (both Family/Criminal), and Youth/Juvenile Justice. With a fervent commitment to advocating for children and skilled mediation in domestic disputes, she strives to establish a lawyer-client relationship grounded in communication and confidentiality.

Abha believes that fostering open communication and ensuring confidentiality are pivotal elements in building a strong lawyer-client relationship.

Motivated by an inner drive to bring justice to victims of abuse and guided by her compassion for children and youth, Abha consistently channels her efforts to deliver the relief they seek and deserve. 

Monika Goyal family lawyer

Monika Goyal, Lawyer Of Counsel

Monika Goyal, Lawyer Of Counsel

Monika Goyal, Lawyer Of Counsel

   

Monika Goyal boasts over a decade of experience practicing Family Law, cultivating a diverse background encompassing child and spousal support, child custody, litigation, and separation agreements. With a robust legal foundation, she has represented clients at all court levels, including the Court of Appeal, Divisional Court of Ontario

   

Monika Goyal boasts over a decade of experience practicing Family Law, cultivating a diverse background encompassing child and spousal support, child custody, litigation, and separation agreements. With a robust legal foundation, she has represented clients at all court levels, including the Court of Appeal, Divisional Court of Ontario, Ontario Court of Justice, and Superior Court of Justice, handling a wide array of family law matters.

Monika adopts a client-centered approach, prioritizing practical and pertinent advice to secure optimal outcomes. She values ensuring her clients comprehend the legal process, providing them with a voice in the decision-making process. Fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, she offers legal services in all four languages.

She consistently places the well-being of children at the forefront in every situation, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of Giving Tree Family Law.

Shivani Sharda, Lawyer Of Counsel

Diana Potapenko, Director of Operations

Diana Potapenko, Director of Operations


Before joining the Giving Tree Family Law, Shivani spent nearly two decades in public service, advocating for disadvantaged individuals grappling with complex legal issues. 

She earned her law degree from Brunel University in London, U.K., and received her undergrad degree at McMaster University.

Shivani represents and advises clients on al


Before joining the Giving Tree Family Law, Shivani spent nearly two decades in public service, advocating for disadvantaged individuals grappling with complex legal issues. 

She earned her law degree from Brunel University in London, U.K., and received her undergrad degree at McMaster University.

Shivani represents and advises clients on all aspects of family law issues that arise from divorce and separation.  This includes decision-making responsibility (formally custody) and parenting time (formally access), child and spousal support, property division, separation agreements, marriage contracts and cohabitation agreements.

Shivani has experience advocating for clients through negotiation, mediation and court.  She is skilled at reaching resolutions through creative solutions.

She holds memberships in the Ontario Bar Association (Family Section), the South Asian Bar Association and the Advocates Society.

Shivani speaks Punjabi and supports initiatives that support the South Asian community.  

Diana Potapenko family lawyer

Diana Potapenko, Director of Operations

Diana Potapenko, Director of Operations

Diana Potapenko, Director of Operations

  

As a highly accomplished and versatile financial professional,  Diana spent over a decade with Macquarie Group in Toronto, London and New York as Vice President in leadership roles across portfolio and risk management, asset acquisitions and business integrations. 

She has developed an expertise in operational efficiencies, optimization 

  

As a highly accomplished and versatile financial professional,  Diana spent over a decade with Macquarie Group in Toronto, London and New York as Vice President in leadership roles across portfolio and risk management, asset acquisitions and business integrations. 

She has developed an expertise in operational efficiencies, optimization of policies and procedures and risk management, having oversighted transactions valued between $10-$500MM. 

She then joined the European family business in laser technologies to sharpen her entrepreneurial skills, and worked extensively across Europe and Central Asia.  

Other professional experiences include heading up the Canadian Operations at Macquarie Corporate and Asset Finance, serving on Advisory Boards and engaging in business consulting.   

Diana holds a Bachelor's degree with Distinction in Commerce and Finance from the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto, complemented by various financial modelling certificates and undertaking the CFA certification.  

Join Our Team

CAREERS

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR TEAM?

We are always seeking great family lawyers of all ages and stages. Please send a copy of your resume to info@givingtreefamilylaw.ca

CURRENTLY HIRING

We are currently hiring for a family lawyer to join our practice!

  

Position Overview:

As our Family Lawyer and Partner at Giving Tree Family Law, you will assume a leadership role that involves overseeing and managing all aspects of the family law practice. Your expertise in family law, combined with your strategic acumen and exceptional communication skills, will be essential in guiding our team to deliver exceptional legal services while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.


Responsibilities:

1. Legal Expertise:

  • Provide expert legal counsel in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, spousal support, property division, and more.
  • Stay updated with the latest developments in family law, ensuring the practice remains at the forefront of legal knowledge and trends.

2. Leadership and Management:

  • Assist in hiring, leading and inspiring a team of family lawyers and support staff, promoting a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Set performance expectations, conduct regular performance evaluations, and provide mentorship to enhance the skills of team members.

3. Client Relations:

  • Build and maintain strong client relationships, representing the firm with professionalism and empathy.
  • Handle complex and high-profile cases, demonstrating a keen ability to strategize, negotiate, and advocate on behalf of clients.

4. Strategic Planning:

  • Develop and execute strategic plans to expand the family law practice's client base and market presence.
  • Identify growth opportunities, new practice areas, and potential partnerships to drive business development.

5. Practice Management:

  • Oversee case management, ensuring timely and efficient handling of legal matters.

6. Professional Development:

  • Foster a culture of continuous learning by organizing training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities for the team.
  • Encourage professional growth and support team members in achieving their career goals.


Qualifications:

  • Must be admitted to Ontario Bar.
  • LLB or JD and a Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
  • Must be Minimum of 3-5 years of experience practicing family law, with a proven track record of handling complex cases.
  • Previous experience in a leadership or management role within a law firm is highly desirable.
  • Exceptional courtroom advocacy and negotiation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with clients and mentor junior lawyers effectively.
  • Demonstrated business development and client acquisition experience.
  • Proficiency in legal technology and case management systems.


Please send a copy of your resume to info@givingtreefamilylaw.ca

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