Lorna M. Yates

Lorna is a founding partner at Laurel Family Law LLP.  

In her 4th year at McGill in 1996, Lorna had to choose between teaching and law.  She chose law and has never looked back!  Lorna’s client service focused approach, along with her energetic advocacy on behalf of her clients, is the foundation for her successful practice.

Lorna has experience in all areas of family law, including negotiation of complex marriage contracts, separation agreements and parenting plans.  Although she prefers negotiation and mediation as ideal options for resolving family law matters, the reality is that many lawyers and former clients refer Lorna high conflict matters that require judicial intervention.  Lorna has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court of the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

A very active member of her legal community, Lorna sits on the Bench and Bar Committee of the Superior Court of Justice (Family) in Toronto, as well as Senior Family Judge Suzanne Stevenson’s province-wide Superior Court of Justice Family Working Group.  Lorna was the Chair of both of the Ontario Bar Association’s Family Law Section and The Advocates Society Family Practice Group.  She regularly provides technology training for her colleagues and is called upon by Law Associations across the province to lead and speak at Continuing Legal Education programs.

Lorna’s other full-time job is parenting her elementary school-aged twins.  Lorna’s kids call her the “adventure” parent.  She loves planning vacations for her family and also day trips all over Ontario.  Lorna’s work in progress is her yoga and mindfulness practice, which can be a challenge with work and kids but she keeps trying!