Our Legal Team

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: jruskin@jjfamilylaw.ca

Assistant Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: bretzlaffj@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2011)

  • J.D. from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (2010)

  • M.A. (English Literature) from the University of Toronto (2006)

  • First Class Honours, B.A. (English Literature) from McGill University (2005)

Joelle Ruskin, Partner


Joelle practices exclusively in the area of family law. She helps her clients reach effective and sustainable resolutions of their high-conflict parenting disputes, complex financial affairs and planning and support matters. Joelle acts as a Parenting Coordinator and provides Mediation and Mediation/Arbitration services for parties who wish to settle their matter outside of the court process. Joelle is a hands-on mediator and works with parties, whether they are represented by counsel or not, to reach creative settlements.

Joelle was a partner at Epstein Cole LLP before founding JJ Integrative Family Law. She is a past associate editor of the Reports of Family Law and is a current Co-Chair of the University of Toronto Tribunal, Trial Division, for academic disciplinary matters.

Joelle was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2011 after graduating with a JD from the University of Toronto Law School (2010) where she also completed a Masters in English Literature (2006). Joelle graduated with First Class Honours from McGill University in 2005. Her previous experience as a law clerk for the Senior Family Justice and the Judges of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has given her valuable insight into the preferences and decision-making process of judges who preside over family law cases. Joelle is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Advocates’ Society, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.


Jessica Braude, Partner

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: Jbraude@jjfamilylaw.ca

Assistant Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: cmellon@jjfamilylaw.ca

Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2013)

  • L.L.B. from Osgoode Hall School (2012)

  • B.A. (English Literature) from McGill University (2007)


Jessica is an accredited Family Law Mediator, a Collaborative Family Law lawyer and Family Law Arbitrator. Jessica also acts as a Parenting Coordinator and assists families in implementing their parenting agreements and court orders. Her goal is to achieve collaborative settlements through alternative dispute resolution. She has an aptitude for structuring creative solutions that accomplish the best results for her clients.

Jessica has also acted at all levels of the Court in Ontario and is a passionate advocate. Jessica’s background in corporate and commercial litigation brings a broad and diverse perspective to her practise. In 2018 Jessica was awarded the Heather McArthur Memorial Young Lawyer's Award from the Ontario Bar Association. The award recognized her dedication to social justice and the development of the law in Ontario.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. She received her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2012, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2013. She has practiced in Family Law exclusively since then. Jessica previously held a position with the Chief Justice of Canada and assisted in a research project focused on therapeutic justice issues for the development of a special court for infants at risk. She is an active participant in professional organizations, including the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association, the Advocates’ Society, and is a member of the Collaborative Practice Toronto.

Jessica has been recognized by her peers in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ for her high caliber work in Family Law.


Charley Levitan, Senior Lawyer

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608 ext. 426
Email: clevitan@jjfamilylaw.ca

Assistant Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: lshipticki@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2013)

  • J.D. from University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (2012)

  • B.A., Honours, Carleton University, Mass Communications (Highest Honours) (2008)


Charley is a devoted advocate. She prioritizes her client’s needs and objectives and is committed to finding practical, creative solutions to address the many challenges that arise upon a breakdown of a relationship.

In her practice, Charley engages in all areas of family law, including high-conflict parenting disputes and complex financial issues relating to support and property.

She has represented clients at all levels of Court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Charley’s extensive litigation experience has not only provided her with the tools to succeed in the Court system, but also unique insight as to when alternative dispute resolution processes may be more appropriate to achieve a successful outcome for her clients.

Charley has practiced exclusively in family law since her call to the bar in 2013. She began her career in the Family Law Group of a prestigious full-service firm in downtown Toronto and later joined a preeminent family law boutique specializing in trial litigation. Her writing has been published in Money and Family Law and she has co-authored papers presented at the National Judicial Institute and the Ontario Bar Association’s Institute.

Charley is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.


Megan Romanowski, Associate

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: mromanowski@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2017)

  • J.D. from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law (2016)

  • B.A. (Criminology and Canadian Studies) from the University of Toronto (2013)


Since her first introduction to family law as the Pro-Bono Students Canada Family Law Coordinator at Windsor Law, Megan has focused her practice on helping families navigate all stages of the family law process. Before joining JJ Integrative Family Law, she practiced in two family law boutique firms, where she worked on a number of high-conflict parenting cases and addressed complex financial issues, such as the attribution of trust income and the determination of income for self-employed parties.  

Megan is a strong oral advocate, who has represented clients in mediation, arbitration, at the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. Upon reflection of the negative toll litigation can take on clients and their children, Megan trained as a collaborative family lawyer. She is excited to offer this option to clients, which places them in the driver’s seat of a cooperative and cost-effective process to resolve their family law issues. 

 Megan appreciates that the family law system can be a daunting place for clients and has written a number of blogs to tackle common family law questions in an approachable manner. Her writing has also been published by the Lawyer’s Daily and Money & Family Law.

Megan is the Co-Chair of Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton and sits on the board for Collaborative Divorce Toronto.


Christina Hinds, Associate

Christina is an Associate at JJ Integrative Family Law and has practiced family law since her call to the Bar in 2020.

Christina’s practice is client-focused and results-oriented. Christina strives to resolve matters efficiently, avoid unnecessary expense, and minimize conflict to achieve positive outcomes for her clients.

Christina obtained her law degree from Queen’s University in 2019 and was called to the bar in 2020. Before joining JJ Integrative Family Law, Christina practiced family law at two boutique family law firms in Toronto. Christina has experience in both mediation and litigation and has worked on matters related to all areas of family law, including property, support, and parenting issues. 

Christina developed an interest in family law during her time at Queen’s University which has continued throughout her legal career. Christina was a caseworker at the Queen’s Family Law Clinic and acted as the Program Coordinator of the Family Law Project, a program administered by Pro Bono Students Canada. Christina also completed an internship at a family law firm in Kingston, Ontario wherein she received the course award for highest academic standing.

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: chinds@jjfamilylaw.ca

Assistant Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608
Email: jdodunski@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2020)

  • J.D. from Queen’s University, Faculty of Law (2019)

  • B.A., Honours (Law & Psychology) from Carleton University (2015)



Courtney Edwards, Associate

Contact:
Phone: 416-515-8608 x 428
Email: cedwards@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the bar in 2022

  • JD at Queens University

  • Undergrad, jointly conferred degree in Contemporary Studies and English from the University of Kings College and Dalhousie


Courtney is an associate at JJ Integrative who has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since her call to the bar in 2022. 

Before joining JJ Integrative, Courtney practiced at two prestigious full service firms in downtown Toronto, where she worked on financially complex family law matters with intersecting corporate and trust issues. In 2026, Courtney served as the Editor-in-Chief of Money and Family Law. 

Courtney is committed to helping families navigate challenging transitions. In her practice, she combines her strong advocacy skills with her collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to achieve desirable outcomes for her clients. 

Courtney earned her Juris Doctorate from Queen’s University, where she distinguished herself as the winner of the 2020 Queen’s Law Grand Moot Championship, and a Top 10 Oralist in the national Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. 

During her time at Queen’s, Courtney gained a global perspective by studying International Public Law at the Bader International Study Centre. She subsequently interned with the Hague Conference on Private International Law in the Netherlands, where she contributed to the Parentage / Surrogacy Project and the working group on the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention. 

Courtney has been recognized by her peers in the Ones to Watch category of the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada.


Sarah Engel, Senior Associate

Sarah is a dedicated advocate who prioritizes her clients' needs and objectives, committed to developing practical, pragmatic, and creative solutions to the many challenges that arise upon a breakdown of a relationship.

In her practice, Sarah engages in all areas of family law, with a particular focus on complex financial issues including property division, support, and domestic contracts relating to intergenerational wealth planning.

She represents clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation, ensuring the most effective approach is tailored to each client's unique circumstances.

Sarah has practiced family law since her call to the Bar of Ontario in 2016. She articled and built her career at a boutique family and estates law firm in downtown Toronto, where she developed deep expertise across the full spectrum of family law matters.

Sarah is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association, and volunteers for the Parents' Association and admissions committee at Robbins Hebrew Academy.

Sarah is a contributing author to Contracts for the Family Law Client (LexisNexis Canada) and has been included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada™ for her work in Family Law since 2024.

Contact:
Phone: +1 416 515 8608 ext. 422
Email: sengel@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (2016)

  • J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School

    B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario



Ramsha Khan, Senior Law Clerk

Contact:
Phone: 416-515-8608 x 427
Email: rkhan@jjfamilylaw.ca


Education

  • B.A. (Hons.) from University of Toronto


With more than a decade of experience in family law, Ramsha brings a wealth of practical knowledge, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to helping clients navigate what can often be a difficult and uncertain time in their lives.

 Before joining JJ Integrative Family Law LLP, Ramsha worked at boutique family law firms, where she gained hands-on experience across a wide range of family law matters. These experiences shaped her approach to her work: practical, organized, responsive and always mindful of the people behind each file.

 At JJ Integrative Family Law LLP, Ramsha works closely with clients throughout their matters, helping to keep files organized and moving forward. Her experience includes preparing court materials, Financial Statements, Net Family Property Statements  as well as navigating the procedural and practical issues that arise in family law. She particularly enjoys the problem-solving side of her role and finding ways to make what can feel like an overwhelming process more manageable for clients.

 Ramsha holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and a Law Clerk diploma from Humber College. She takes pride in bringing both experience and compassion to her work and in being a familiar, reliable point of contact for clients throughout their family law journey.