Ricketts, Harris LLP and the Ricketts, Harris Family Law Practice Group

Ricketts, Harris was formed in 1983 by the merger of two older Toronto law firms: Harris, Keachie, Garrow, Davies and Hunter founded at the end of World War 1 and Ricketts, Farley and Lowndes, founded in 1948. it was originally called Ricketts, Harris, Keachie but we shortened our name to "Ricketts, Harris" and added the designation "LLP" in 2000 when we became a Limited Liability Partnership. Ricketts, Harris LLP continues the tradition and emphasis of providing personal relationship based professional legal services covering all areas of law normally required by the clients of the firm.

Amongst our practice areas is a very vigorous Family Law Practice Group, chaired by Joel Miller. The group currently consists of 6 lawyers actively representing family law clients.

The members of our Family Law Practice Group are:

Joel Miller, Chair

Joel is a partner at Ricketts, Harris LLP. Find out Who is Joel Miller is. You may also view his bio at Ricketts, Harris website.

Tracy Warne

A Partner at Ricketts Harris since 1988, Tracy practices in area of family law together with commercial and professional negligence litigation. With over 30 years of practice, he has assisted commercial and family law clients with respect to highly sophisticated and complex disputes.

Tracy is a member of the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations, the Lawyer's Club of Toronto, the Advocates' Society, and the Medico/Legal Society of Toronto.

For more information about Tracy check out his bio at the Ricketts, Harris website.

Michael Cochrane

A partner at Ricketts Harris where he maintains a diverse practice with a primary emphasis family law but also includes civil litigation, class actions, multi-party negotiations and mediations, and public policy consulting. Michael is a member of the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations.
In addition to an active practice Michael is a well known author and has written several legal texts on subjects ranging from family law to class actions, and alternate dispute resolution.
For more information about Michael check out his bio at the Ricketts, Harris website.

Michael’s Publications:

Surviving Your Divorce: A Guide to Canadian Family Law
(3rd Edition August 2002) Michael G. Cochrane
John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.

Surviving Your Parents’ Divorce: A Guide for Young Canadians
Michael G. Cochrane
John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.

For Better or For Worse: A Guide to Marriage Contracts and Cohabitation Agreements
Michael G. Cochrane
John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.

Family Law in Ontario: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Law Clerks
(2 supplements per year) Michael G. Cochrane
Canada Law Book

D. John Hamilton

D. John Hamilton is a Counsel with Ricketts, Harris LLP where he conducts a very successful family law practice.
John is a low key, high-powered lawyer who assists his clients achieve their best results, no matter what the circumstances or prevailing emotions. Those who have dealt with him, whether as a client, adversary or peer, are impressed by his ability to quickly and accurately analyze and assess disputes.  John appreciates that his role is to help clients understand their situation and provide options and guidance to assist them make the most advantageous decisions. His track record of success has been built on superb negotiation skills, imaginative thinking, a sensible approach, and emotional insight as to the interests of all involved. Throughout any process he acts reasonably and rationally and is able to wisely manage the complexities and volatility that emotionally charged actions generate, leading to his client’s best possible outcome.

John represents clients in all aspects of family law, including marriage contracts, separation agreements, division of property, custody and child support, spousal support, pension and business ownership division and all related court proceedings. He has excellent working relationships with other professionals and experts such as parenting coaches, child health care specialists, social workers, financial specialists and business valuators, who can be brought into negotiations when required.

For more information about Elizabeth check out her bio at the Ricketts, Harris website.

Elizabeth C. Mourao

Elizabeth articled with us in 2003/2004 having her primary interest being family law. She joined us in July, 2004, as an associate practicing exclusively in the area of family law. During her time with the firm, Elizabeth has become experienced in all aspects of negotiating and resolving family law matters as well as representing clients in court. Her focus is directed to assisting clients, understand their family law rights and obligations and representing their interests in family law matters. While clearly aware of the importance of handling family law matters in a sensitive and understanding manner, she’s also attuned to representing clients in court when that becomes appropriate.

Elizabeth is a member of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business & Professionals and fluent in Portuguese. She is an active participant and volunteer in the Portuguese community.

For more information about Elizabeth check out her bio at the Ricketts, Harris website.

Bobbi M. Olsen

Bobbi Olsen is an associate lawyer at Ricketts Harris LLP. Her practice is exclusively focused on family law matters, ranging from negotiated settlements to acrimonious disputes in contentious litigation.    She works hard to de-escalate conflict, particularly when children are involved. Bobbi has established a successful track record dealing with custody and access matters while acting as in-house trial and appeal counsel for the Children’s Aid Society of Brant.  Bobbi has excellent advocacy skills, having conducted numerous complex trials, motions, and Charter arguments during her time as both in-house and private counsel. Her prior experience as an intellectual property contract negotiator for a large Canadian university formed the basis for early and precise recognition of margins for settlement, and she understands the financial and emotional implications favouring prompt and thorough settlement of a matter whenever possible.

Bobbi has had the opportunity to explore advanced family law issues while completing her Masters in Family Law, with the benefit of learning from leading academics, practitioners, and judges in the field. She is a regular guest lecturer at Humber College and at its joint program with the University of Guelph, speaking on broad family law issues to specific advocacy and litigation skills.

Bobbi’s experience enables her to weigh the options for a client in a dispassionate fashion, whilst empathizing with the emotional issues confronting the client.

For more information about Bobbi check out her bio at the Ricketts, Harris website.