Melanie also represents neurodivergent youth and young adults living with a disability in their parents’ family law matters and children and youth with disabilities in education law matters, with a particular focus on accommodations, discipline, and safety issues at school. Melanie relies on her extensive volunteer work with the autism community and through the special education advisory committee of her local school board to successfully advocate for the children and youth that she represents.

Melanie is routinely consulted by other family law lawyers on disability related issues in family law, including child support for adult “children” living with a disability and for specific information on education and therapy supports for children living with autism. Melanie is a Faculty Member of the National Judicial Institute, speaking to the judiciary on topics involving parenting and support issues for neurodivergent children and children with disabilities.

Melanie also acts as a Dispute Resolution Officer with the Superior Court of Justice serving the Brampton and Milton Courthouses and volunteers her time with the Law Society of Ontario’s Coach and Advisor Network as a coach providing support and mentorship to lawyers across the province.

Melanie also provides mediation services for parties, including those choosing to attend mediation without counsel, to assist them in reaching tailor-made resolutions outside of court. She specializes in mediating for parties involving parenting and support issues for children living with disabilities.

To schedule a consultation with Melanie, please contact the office manager, Meredith Mullen, directly at meredith@battaglialaw.ca.

The mother of three young children, Stephanie understands the need for creative problem-solving in negotiating and crafting agreements to address each family's unique circumstances. She advocates passionately for her clients through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, using litigation as a last resort.

To schedule a consultation with Stephanie directly, please email her law clerk, Jenny Tong at jenny@battaglialaw.ca.

To contact Stephanie directly, send a message to stephanie@battaglialaw.ca.

Brooke is building her understanding of disability law through her work with Melanie supporting families with disabilities through the family law and education law process. She works closely with clients and our lawyers to ensure that the families our team supports are achieving resolutions that meet their family’s needs. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her Great Dane, Rogan, gardening and running.