Our Team

Anmol Kataruka

Lawyer (Mississauga Location)

Anmol has always been proactive in helping people in their times of need. She blissfully chose the field of family law because it gives her a sense of contentment and happiness to help her clients walk through one of the most challenging moments of their lives and provide a kickstart to their new journey ahead. Anmol obtained her Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall School, York University, at the top of her class and achieved first class with distinction in her first law degree.

Reported Cases

Coates v. Dickson, 2021 ONSC 992

Claire McDowell

Lawyer

Claire obtained her BA at the University in Ottawa in Criminology with a minor in Psychology. She then attended law school at Lakehead University. Called to the Bar in 2019, Claire has focused her practice in family law. Her clients have described her as a hard worker who is personable and passionate about social justice.

While in law school, Claire was the Indigenous student representative on Lakehead’s committee for the creation of the Indigenous Law and Justice Institute. As a Métis person, Claire was a member of the 2015 Métis Nation of Ontario Canoe Expedition, wherein the members canoed from Ottawa to Kenora over a period of four months.

When not advocating for her clients, you can find Claire playing piano, guitar, or singing or out-and-about in nature with her family and son.

Elizabeth Jacob

Lawyer (Mississauga Location)

Elizabeth understands the stakes involved in your family law case, which could affect you and your children's lives for years. She has the experience and compassion to keep things in perspective to get you through complicated procedures with the best possible results. Elizabeth attended law school at the University of Leeds, England, graduating with a First-class degree in law in the top 10% of her class. Elizabeth was called to bar in January 2019. She has been committed to helping her clients get through the legal process so they can begin the next chapter of their lives.

Evan Clemence

Lawyer

Before earning his Juris Doctor in 2012, Evan Clemence was recipient of the University of Toronto’s Anne Marjorie Beer Scholarship and the High North Scholarship allowing him to pursue legal studies in the area of human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights in Tromsø Norway.

Evan now specializes in Family Law, including Child Protection matters, but also has past experience in Criminal Law, having worked as a Per Diem Lawyer with the Durham Crown Attorney’s Office, and handled a number of civil litigation matters prior to focusing his practice on Family Law.

Gabrielle Pop-Lazic

Lawyer (Mississauga Location)

Gabrielle holds a Master's Degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago, an LLB from the University of Toronto, and was trained as a certified Gestalt therapist at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto. She has been practicing law since her call to the bar in 2000, focusing solely on family law and child protection matters since 2007. Gabrielle has extensive litigation experience, appearing before all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She is a past member of the Child and Family Services Review Board and the Custody Review Board.

Galia Amoils

Lawyer

During undergrad, Galia earned an Honours double major in Philosophy and Classical Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Then, hoping to broaden her horizons, she flew over it and straight to the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where she received her LL.B. (Hons) and finished in the top 20% of her class!

Reported Case

R. v. Rahman, 2016 ONCJ 718

Irina Davis

Lawyer

Irina received her B.Sc. in Biology & Psychology from York University, but soon discovered that she simply couldn’t stay away from the campus for very long. Accordingly, she graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School with her Juris Doctor degree in 2006 and was called to the bar in 2007. Irina is also trained and certified to practice Collaborative Family Law.

Reported Cases

Chowzun v. Lee, 2016 ONCJ 99
Bianchi v. Bianchi, 2018 ONCJ 985

Jeffrey Mammon

Lawyer

Born and raised in Toronto, Jeffrey received his Bachelor’s degree from York University, where he was a member of the Dean’s Honour Roll and he attained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alberta. Jeffrey was called to the Ontario Bar in 2001 and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Before joining Gelman & Associates, Jeffrey opened his own practice as a sole practitioner and focused on civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on family law. He became a regular Duty Counsel panel member at the Family Courts. He also served as an Area Committee Member for Legal Aid Ontario.

Jennifer Long

Senior Lawyer

After graduating from law school at the University of Victoria (which was a 72-hour long greyhound ride from her home in Ontario!), Jennifer began practicing family law in 2004. She is a member of the bar in both Ontario and British Columbia. Her 20 years of experience, have made her a zealous advocate in the courtroom, when needed. However, she is often able to amicably resolve matters outside of the court process, by thinking outside of the box and proposing creative solutions. Jennifer has advocated for her clients’ rights at all levels of Court in Ontario. In addition to family law, Jennifer can assist clients with Wills and Powers of Attorney.

Trained in collaborative law, Jennifer exudes empathy and compassion, building strong working relationships with her clients. Jennifer tends to approach family law from a child-focused view and is incredibly passionate with matters that involve child-related issues.

During her spare time, you can find Jennifer curled up with a book, going on a long walk or even competing in the Crossfit Open!

Jennifer is a member of: The Board of York Collaborative Practice (YCP), Collaborative Practice Durham, Collaborative Divorce Toronto, Stouffville and Whitby Chambers of Commerce, 100 Women Who Care Durham Region

Jennifer Shuber

Lawyer

Jennifer is a senior associate who has been practising exclusively in family law, advising clients on all matters relating to marriage and marriage breakdown, for over twenty years. Jennifer assists her clients with domestic contracts, property, support, and child-related issues, particularly in high conflict, complex custody and access and high net worth matters. Certified as a Specialist in Family Law by the Law Society of Ontario, Jennifer has experience at all levels of court in Ontario. Highly skilled in mediation and arbitration, she is recognized as an Accredited Family Mediator by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and a Certified Specialist in Family Mediation by the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario. Jennifer has also been appointed a Dispute Resolution Officer for the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.

Karen Kotansky

Lawyer

Karen is one of those people who is so organized that you might wonder if she has a secret twin getting things done while she sleeps. At Gelman and Associates, Karen is responsible for all the day to day operations of the firm. Before she joined Gelman and Associates, she worked at Lawpro, which is the Law Society of Ontario’s professional liability company. While there, she acted as Secretary of the Board, answering legal questions about the insurance program, and she helped launch the Customer Service Department. Eventually, she became manager of the department, recruiting and training all of the staff members and overseeing the operations of the entire department which handled more than 100,000 calls and queries every year.

Lisa Gelman

Lawyer

A natural entrepreneur, Lisa took a few detours after law school before settling in family law, where she has happily been in private practice for the last 20 years. Nothing if not a well-rounded person, Lisa owned an ice cream store and owned a travel company that once led a singles trip to Nepal for a major Internet dating site. While an undergraduate, she and Gelman & Associates’ COO Karen Kotansky even owned a company that employed other students to sell paper products in bulk door to door. In fact, her talent and drive to grow successful businesses was recognized by PROFIT and Canadian Business in 2016 where she was included in the W100 list of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs.

Lisa has been firmly dedicated to her family law practice since 1995, and in 2001, she began the law firm of Gelman & Associates. Her stats are impressive. She has a B.A. from the University of Western in political science and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995.

Negin Sari

Lawyer (North York Location)

Negin has been working in the legal field in various roles since her teenage years. She decided to become a lawyer to help people and pursue justice. Negin graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 2012. She then attended law school in the United Kingdom and obtained her LL.B. from the University of Sussex in 2017. Negin was called to the bar in 2020, started practicing criminal law and then ventured into family law. As such, Negin brings a unique criminal law perspective to her family practice.

Paul D. Slan

Lawyer

If you want experience on your side, Paul is your man. He has been practicing family law since 1977. Besides his L.L.B, he earned an Honours B.A. in Political Science and Economics. He is a former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association and has been an instructor of a Bar Admission Course in family law. Are you impressed yet? Well, if that doesn’t do it, maybe this will: He has been a Dispute Resolution Officer with the Superior Court of Justice. (In other words, he knows what he’s doing!)

Rachelle Moncur

Lawyer

Called to the Ontario Bar in 2002, Rachelle spent over two decades practicing insolvency and restructuring law before pivoting her practice (and robust litigation skills) to family law. She has appeared at all levels of Court in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Rachelle has a Bachelor of Commence (B. Comm.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Windsor.

Going through her own divorce lit a passion in Rachelle, prompting her to return to school and obtain a Certificate in Family Law Skills and Practice from Osgoode Professional Development. Having gone through the separation and divorce process herself, Rachelle understands what her clients are going through and is there every step of the way to help them effectively navigate the process.

Outside of the office, you may find Rachelle training for a duathlon (she was a member of Age Group Team Canada!) or spending time with her daughter, labrador retriever, crazy cat and new husband!

Member of: Law Society of Ontario, Ontario Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, Beaver Valley Ski Club (Board Member and Chair of Discipline Committee), Triathlon Canada

Ryan W. Duval

Lawyer (North York Location)

Ryan is passionate & zealous about the practice of Family Law. He is a lawyer that constantly reads up on the latest family law cases out of our courts or changes being discussed and implemented in the practice of family law. Ryan's problem-solving skills are a major asset when looking to advance his client's legal plan of action forward. He recognizes that family law matters are often the most emotionally challenging time in a client's life. He is very strategic in developing different predictions and scenarios regarding any client case. He challenges his clients to seek out potential weaknesses, advantages or disadvantages of their issue and creates a legal action plan.

Stephanie Joe

Lawyer

Stephanie attended the University of York in England where she obtained her LL.B. Travelling is very familiar to Stephanie. She loves to experience new destinations around the world, and even spent time in Africa building houses!

Stephanie is committed to communicating effectively and efficiently with her clients; has genuine compassion and caring regarding the concerns of her clients; and takes the time to help them understand the complicated legal system.