2025 Annual Conference

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, professionals in family dispute resolution need tools that go beyond the basics. The FDR Toolbox is your opportunity to sharpen your practice, engage with cutting-edge topics, and connect with others who are shaping the future of FDR.

Join us to explore what it takes to stay effective, ethical, and impactful in a changing world.

Our Keynote Speaker

Justice Cary Boswell

Justice Cary Boswell graduated University of Toronto Law School in 1988. In private practice 18 years primarily with Craig Boswell McDermot in Barrie, Ontario. Engaged in a broad range of civil and commercial litigation, including insolvency, construction liens, estates and family. Appointed to the Superior Court of Justice (Newmarket) in 2007. Has presided over some of the Central East Region’s lengthiest and most complicated homicide trials in the past 17 years. Member of the faculty of the National Judicial Institute’s Evidence Law seminar for judges since 2018. Frequent presenter at educational programs for judges and counsel. Appointed co-chair of the Ontario Civil Rules Review January 2025.

The Agenda

8:00 – 8:30

Registration & Networking

8:30 – 9:00

FDRIO Annual General Meeting

Join FDRIO Members for our 2025 Annual General Meeting

9:00 – 9:25

Welcome, Land Acknowledgement

Rahim Moloo | Chairman – Aga Khan International Conciliation and Arbitration Board (ICAB)

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Peace through Mediation in the Ismaili Muslim Community

This brief presentation will provide background on the global Conciliation and Arbitration Board system that resolves disputes among the Ismaili Muslim community, primarily through mediation. It will explain the reason why mediation is our preferred mechanism to resolve disputes (especially in family disputes) and how the way in which we resolve disputes reflects the broader ethical principles we hope to live by.

Rahim Moloo has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as “one of the most skilled advocates of his generation” and a “Global Elite Thought Leader”. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Swiss Arbitration Association’s global prize for advocacy, awarded once every two years to one international arbitration globally in recognition of “their exceptional talents in advocacy.” He has twice been named an “MVP” in international arbitration by Law360 (most recently in 2024), is ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” in International Arbitration by U.S. Legal 500, and is ranked as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation.

See Rahim’s full bio here.

9:25 – 10:30

Keynote Speaker | Justice Cary Boswell

Civil Rules Reform: Insights from the Architect

Justice Boswell is co-chair of the Civil Rules Review, which is nearing the conclusion of its two-year mandate to re-imagine the Rules of Civil Procedure from the ground up. The project will see sweeping changes introduced to the way in which civil litigation is conducted in the Province of Ontario. The extensive package of reforms arguably represents the single most significant development in the history of Ontario’s civil justice system. Hear from one of the architects of the reforms about what was at stake, what can be expected, and how the changes will impact on the court, the litigants, and those in the business of alternative dispute resolution.

Justice Cary Boswell graduated University of Toronto Law School in 1988. In private practice 18 years primarily with Craig Boswell McDermot in Barrie, Ontario. Engaged in a broad range of civil and commercial litigation, including insolvency, construction liens, estates and family. Appointed to the Superior Court of Justice (Newmarket) in 2007. Has presided over some of the Central East Region’s lengthiest and most complicated homicide trials in the past 17 years. Member of the faculty of the National Judicial Institute’s Evidence Law seminar for judges since 2018. Frequent presenter at educational programs for judges and counsel. Appointed co-chair of the Ontario Civil Rules Review January 2025.

10:30 – 10:50

HEALTH & NETWORKING BREAK

10:50 – 11:00

Crowe Soberman Award Presentation

Congrats to our 2025 award recipient!

11:00 – 11:55

Presentation 2

Scrutinizing Financial Information vs. Reliance at Face Value – Implications of Under-reporting of Income Under the Guidelines

The presentation will focus on issues relating to the reliability of financial information, potential impacts on income for support, and practical challenges with getting to the “right number”. The presentation will also address the common areas of potential understatement of income and approaches to dealing with these issues.

Melanie Russell, FCPA, FCA, CBV, CIM, CFE, CFF, ABV, FDRP-Val

Melanie founded Kalex Partners Inc. and has expertise in valuations, dispute analysis and resolution, damages quantification, forensic accounting, succession planning and transaction support. She has been active in teaching valuations and related topics and has authored various publications. Melanie has qualified as an expert in the areas of business/asset valuation, quantification of damages, income determination & forensic accounting, and has given expert evidence at various Courts, as well as in alternative dispute forums.

See more about Melanie here.

11:55 – 12:55

LUNCH *optional tour of the Ismaili Centre

12:55 – 1:55

Presentation 3

Competing Concepts of Fairness: Avoiding and Managing Sibling Conflicts in Estate Matters

*This presentation contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario*

Are siblings pre-wired to have estate disputes? This presentation will discuss the root causes of sibling estate disputes as well as competing concepts of fairness.

While Unequal division of a parent’s estate greatly increases the chances of an estate dispute, even Equal division can be viewed by children as unfair which, can result in estate disputes.

This presentation will also discuss the increased risk for blended families and offer suggestions on how to avoid and manage sibling estate disputes with a focus on mediation and uniqueness of estate mediation.

Charles B. Ticker is a mediator and former estate litigator with over 40 years of experience. He now restricts his practice to mediation of estate disputes. He publishes a blog “The Sibling Fight” and has produced a CD set entitled “How to Make the Most of Your Mediation”. He is the author of the book entitled Bobby Gets Bubkes: Navigating the Sibling Estate Fight. Charles spends his free time volunteering for charities and playing keyboards with his garage band “The Faded Genes”.

See more about Charles’ book here.

1:55 – 2:10

HEALTH & NETWORKING BREAK

2:10 – 3:10

Presentation 4

The Future is Now: AI for Family Lawyers and Mediators

*This presentation contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content accredited by the Law Society of Ontario*

Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the practice of family law and alternative dispute resolution. This session will demystify AI tools, highlight real-world applications in legal workflows, and examine how technology can enhance—not replace—human judgment and empathy in sensitive matters. Whether you’re a litigator, mediator, or collaborative practitioner, discover how to future-proof your practice with practical, ethical, and client-centered AI strategies.

Charles Gluckstein was called to the Ontario Bar in 1999. His practice focuses on personal injury medical negligence, and motor vehicle claims. Charles served for many years on the Board of Directors rising to become the President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association from 2013-2014. Since 2014, Best Lawyers® International has consistently recognized him as a leader in the personal injury field. In 2021 Charles received the award for Best Use of Technology.

See Charles’ full bio here.

3:10 – 3:30

Our Family Wizard Presentation

Join Julius Antoine, National Professional Liaison at OurFamilyWizard and lead educator for OFW Canada, as he draws on tech and non-profit experience to showcase how OFW reduces co-parent conflict and saves time for family law professionals.

3:30 – 3:40

HEALTH BREAK

3:40 – 4:35

Presentation 5

Family Law at a Crossroads: Torts, Violence, and the Ahluwalia Decision

Family violence is increasingly at the forefront of family law disputes, and the legal system struggles with how to properly address it. Torts have taken on a growing role as a way to address family violence, culminating in the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia on whether the tort of family violence should be recognized.

Lead counsel Julie Hannaford and Geoffrey Carpenter will discuss the case, the role of torts in family law, and what this landmark decision means for the future of family violence claims in Canada.

Julie K. Hannaford, M.A. (Toronto), LLB (Toronto) was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1985. Julie is a trial lawyer who founded J K Hannaford Barristers in July 2006. J K Hannaford Barristers serves clients in family law. Julie is currently the Trial Advocacy Course Chair at the U of T Faculty of Law. An esteemed educator, Julie has taught at the Osgoode Hall Law School in the Trial Practice course. Julie has been recognised by Best Lawyers in the field of family law.

Learn more about Julie here.

Geoffrey Carpenter is a lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and parenting coordinator practicing in Oakville Ontario. He is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in family law, and sits as a Dispute Resolution Officer and Deputy Judge in the Central West Region. He is an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall, and was formerly a sessional instructor at TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law.

Learn more about Geoff here.