Laurie Pawlitza’s litigation practice focuses on family law matters. She has demonstrated expertise representing her clients before the courts. She acts frequently in disputes involving high incomes and significant property. In May, 1995, Laurie successfully litigated the first Canadian case which allowed same sex couples to adopt.

She was named as one of Canada’s Leading Practitioners by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in the area of Family Law, and as a "Best Lawyer" by The Best Lawyers in Canada. In April 2007, Laurie was re-elected for a second term as a Toronto Bencher of The Law Society of Upper Canada, the governing body for lawyers in Ontario.

She is Chair of The Law Society’s Professional Development and Competence Committee, Co-Chair of the Retention of Women in Private Practice Project, Vice-Chair of the Government Relations Committee and is a director on the board of LawPRO - the insurers for Ontario’s lawyers. She also sits on the Family Law Rules Committee, is a trustee of The Lawyers Club, and is a former member of the Ontario Bar Association Family Law Executive.

Laurie speaks and writes regularly for legal audiences and has made numerous appearances on radio and television, including CBC Radio’s Morningside, CBC Newsworld, The Docket, The Passionate Eye, The National, CTV’s Canada AM and Newsnet as well as the Women’s Television Network. She has been widely quoted in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, Canadian Living magazine, Law Times and The Lawyer’s Weekly on various family law issues.

Selected Publications, Speeches, Interviews and Appearances

She has been a past nominee of the “YWCA Women of Distinction Award” and the “Toronto Life Women Who Make a Difference Award.” She devotes much of her time to community services.

Laurie graduated from University of Saskatchewan in 1983 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986.

Printable Version