OUR FIRM
We help children and families of all shapes and sizes.
Child Protection
The stress and disruption to families dealing with the Children’s Aid Society is like no other. We firmly believe that families need and deserve strong and effective representation at every step of a child protection proceeding.
We work closely with parents, grandparents and First Nations to protect a child’s best interests and ensure, whenever possible, that families stay together. We have experience in facilitating the least disruptive options for families, including Aboriginal customary care, kinship placements, and creative custody arrangements.
If your child, or a child in your family or community has been apprehended by the Children’s Aid Society it is essential to immediately retain a lawyer. The days following the apprehension are critical. We have the expertise and drive to work quickly to have the child returned, when appropriate.
Band Representation
Clarke Child & Family Law respects the sovereignty and inherent jurisdictions of First Nations to govern and direct child welfare for their children and youth. We have unique experience representing First Nations across Ontario under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 where First Nations are parties to a child protection proceeding. We strongly advocate on behalf of the First Nation to ensure that child protection agencies consult with the First Nation and make decisions for First Nations children and youth that ensure their culture, tradition and heritage is protected within the child welfare system.
We work with Band Representatives to develop and implement the First Nation’s unique approach to customary care, drafting and implementing customary care agreements that reflect the First Nation’s customs. We also work with First Nations to support the development and implementation of their own child welfare laws under the new federal child welfare legislation, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
We offer Band Representative training programs for our First Nation clients, providing expert guidance on the rights and obligations of First Nations in child protection proceedings. We are deeply committed to assisting First Nations in the work they do supporting and protecting their children, youth and families.
Contact Us
Call us now to assess your situation:
Tel: (416) 260-3030
Fax: (647) 689-3286
We are located in the heart of Toronto, and serve clients across the province. You can find our offices at:
36 Toronto Street
Suite 950
Toronto ON
M5C 2C5
Or, email us:
OUR PEOPLE
We have the knowledge and experience necessary to help.
Sarah Clarke sarah@childandfamilylaw.ca
Sarah Clarke has supported and advocated for children and families throughout her career. Her practice is focused primarily in the area of child protection. Sarah has significant experience working with and for First Nations and Indigenous communities in the context of child welfare, supporting Band Representatives throughout the province of Ontario. Sarah has also supported and worked with First Nation communities across the country in high conflict child protection matters. In addition to her law degree, Sarah holds a Master of Social Work.
Sarah was called to the bar in 2009. She commenced her practice in commercial litigation at a multinational Bay Street firm, where she first began representing the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. Sarah's work was recognized by L'expert Magazine with a Platinum Zenith Award and by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada (2016). Sarah also received the Ontario Bar Association President's Award as a member of the legal team with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (2017).
Sarah has acted in diverse and complex human rights, child protection and Indigenous law matters, and has appeared before the Child and Family Services Review Board, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Sarah has spoken at numerous conferences across Canada regarding Indigenous child welfare and the child welfare system. She is also an adjunct academic staff at Queen's Faculty of Law where she teaches Indigenous Child Welfare.
Sarah is a member of the Ontario Association of Child Protection Lawyers (Toronto), as well as a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Advocates' Society.
Alanna Tevel alanna@childandfamilylaw.ca
Alanna is an associate at Clarke Child & Family Law. Alanna graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2015. She practiced corporate law during her articles and as a first year associate. In 2017, Alanna returned to school to obtain a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto, focusing her education on children and families. She had a student placement at a child protection agency, where she obtained a greater appreciation for the importance of advocating on behalf of families.
Alanna's practice is focused in the area of child welfare. Over the course of her career, Alanna has represented families and several First Nation communities in child protection proceedings at the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice across Ontario.
In her spare time, Alanna volunteers for an organization that provides legal advice and social services to women who are subject to domestic abuse. Alanna is also on the Board of Directors of One Family Fund, an organization that provides supports to victims of terrorism.
Alessandra Catalano alex@childandfamilylaw.ca
Alessandra is an associate at Clarke Child & Family Law. She received her LL.B from the University of Glasgow in 2017 and joined the firm in 2018 while completing her accreditation courses with the Federation of Law Societies Canada as well as completing her articles with the firm. Prior to attending law school, Alessandra worked as an Instructor Therapist for Children with Autism and developmental delays within the private sector in Toronto. She obtained her Post Graduate degree in Behaviour Science and Technology and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a concentration in law from Carleton University. Outside of law, Alessandra enjoys cooking, traveling, running, and weight training. Alessandra was called to the Bar in 2020.
Simon Fisch simon@childandfamilylaw.ca
Simon is Counsel at Clarke Child & Family Law. Simon has worked in child welfare since 2006 and has appeared before all levels of court and tribunals in Ontario. Simon is a member of the Family Law Rules Committee and the North Court Family Law Education Committee. Simon regularly presents on issues of child protection, family law and litigation.
Simon’s practice is focussed on representing First Nation communities in child protection proceedings across Ontario.
In his spare time, Simon enjoys rock climbing, camping in Algonquin Park and trying to keep up with his 5 year old sheepadoodle, Sammy.
Rebecca Kingdon rebecca@childandfamilylaw.ca
Rebecca is counsel at Clarke Child & Family Law. Rebecca is a settler who grew up in Northern Alberta. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2002. She began working in the area of child welfare in 2004 with a focus on Indigenous Child Wellbeing since 2012. Rebecca has appeared before all levels of court and tribunals in Ontario.
Rebecca is an inaugural member of the Indigenous Child Protection group at 311 Jarvis and has presented throughout Ontario on issues within Indigenous Child Wellbeing.
Rebecca loves watching film and theatre and on occasion can even be found on stage herself, although the real star in her family is the family dog who has its own Instagram.
Robin McLeod robin@childandfamilylaw.ca
Robin (she/her) is Nishinaabe hailing from Nipissing First Nations and Articling Student at Clarke Child & Family Law. Robin recently obtained her J.D. from the University of Ottawa’s French Common Law Program in 2023, where she also obtained her bachelor’s degree with specialization in Indigenous Studies and Gender Studies.
For the 6 years leading up to her articles, Robin worked as part of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, where she spent time as public educator on the First Nations child welfare case and Jordan’s Principle in the context of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
Robin is fully fluent in English and French, and in her spare time enjoys doing beadwork, going to the movies, and spending time in her home community with her nephews.
Katherine Quintana-James katherine@childandfamilylaw.ca
Katherine joined Clarke Child and Family as a Legal Assistant in October 2021. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, achieving her BA in Criminal Justice and Public Policy in 2020. Katherine continued her academic studies at Centennial College where she received her Paralegal Certificate. With her passion for working with children, Katherine gained employment with the City of Toronto as an Adapted and Integrated Support Staff. In this role she provided personalized educational, behaviour and emotional support during recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities. In her spare time, she enjoys playing hockey, cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs, listening to podcasts and watching true crime tv shows/documentaries.
Danica Bowen danica@childandfamilylaw.ca
Danica joined Clarke Child and Family Law in September 2022. She graduated from Seneca College’s Law Clerk diploma program in 2010. During her studies, she developed an interest in family law as she loves to help people. Danica worked as a law clerk in separation, divorce and child custody matters. Outside of the office, Danica loves spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, gardening, birdwatching and is a member of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.
Aleeyah Samuels aleeyah@childandfamilylaw.ca
Aleeyah joined Clarke Child and Family Law as a Junior Law Clerk in December 2023. She graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Public Policy with a concentration in Family and Child Studies in 2018. Aleeyah furthered her education by pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy at the University of Guelph (2018-2020). Her research focused on the over-representation of Indigenous populations in the criminal justice systems of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Aleeyah has worked in civil litigation but has always been passionate about working in family law due to her educational background and volunteering with organizations such as the Region of Peel and Safe City Mississauga Crime Prevention. Aleeyah enjoys volunteering whenever she can, as it was through these organizations that she was able to assist with the Region of Peel Healthy Start Program for expectant mothers and children and volunteer as a Site Coordinator at Aspire - a pro bono after-school tutoring program available across priority neighbourhoods in Mississauga through Safe City Mississauga Crime Prevention. Alongside volunteering, Aleeyah also enjoys travelling and trying new cuisines.
