Our Team

“I understand how stressful the legal process of separation can be, and I understand my clients’ worries about their own financial futures and the futures of their children. As a father myself, I’ll treat your children’s needs and interests with the utmost care and concern. As a divorce lawyer, I’lI work hard to achieve the best possible legal outcome for you and your children. I take my responsibility to my clients very seriously, and always strive to treat them as partners in the process.”

In 20 years as a divorce lawyer in Toronto, I’ve been around the block more than a few times, and I know the law and the system. I’ll fight aggressively where necessary, and will do whatever it takes to protect my clients’ interests. On the other hand, when my clients and their ex-spouses are capable of taking a collaborative approach, I’ll advocate firmly for my clients’ interests in the context of out-of-court negotiations.

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions where separation and divorce are concerned. I educate my clients, help them find the solutions that fit their unique lives, and provide the expertise and support that they need to get them through a very challenging time in their lives.”

Jeff Rechtshaffen is our Partner responsible for traditional divorces. In his 20 years of practice as a traditional divorce lawyer in Toronto, he has successfully resolved thousands of Litigation, Negotiation, and Collaborative Family Law cases.

Jeff received his B.A. in English from York University in 1988 and earned his LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario School of Law in 1991. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1993. He has practiced exclusively in the area of family law for virtually his entire career.

Jeff has the skills, experience, and genuine desire to do what’s truly best for each client. If an aggressive approach is what you need, he’ll fight hard and fearlessly in court for the best possible outcome for you and your children. If, however, a collaborate approach is the best fit for your family, Jeff is a member (and past board member) of Collaborative Practice Toronto, and is highly qualified to take that route. Or, if mediation appears to be appropriate for you, he’ll make it happen.

Whichever approach you choose, you’ll be in excellent hands with Jeff Rechtshaffen. More than just a highly experienced divorce lawyer, he’s a committed ally who will personally give your case his full attention, and not delegate this crucially important work to an inexperienced junior. Jeff will help you take control of your conflict and secure a brighter future for you and your children.

Jeff would be pleased to arrange a personal meeting to show you exactly how his experience, professionalism, and client-centered philosophy can work for you. Email him today and you’ll receive a response within 24 hours.

“As a lawyer and accredited family mediator, I have the experience to help clients resolve any and all financial and parenting conflicts arising from separation and divorce…and that’s exactly what I do. My resolution rate is extremely high.

My practice strongly emphasizes the need for clients to develop and use positive, goal-oriented conflict resolution skills, both during negotiations, and in their ongoing co-parenting relationships. Where children are involved, relationships don’t end just because of divorce — they merely change — so children need and deserve for their parents to learn to work together respectfully.

I work with families who are dealing with intense sadness, anger, and pain. Mediation is challenging; resolving complicated legal, financial, emotional, and parenting issues in this context is hard work. But we’re in it together, and I always strive to make it the most comfortable, least painful process possible for my clients.

I’ve been told many times that mediation has made a huge difference in clients’ lives, and that the entire family is better off as a result of the process. I’m always happy to see my clients destined for a peaceful, collaborative future, and am even more thrilled to have helped them avoid a nasty court battle.

Across the board, my clients complete the process with a huge sense of relief that they’ve chosen mediation. They are often incredulous at how quick, inexpensive and humane it is, and they’re grateful to have achieved the closure they need in order to move on with their lives.”

Rosanna’s years of experience as a family lawyer, mediator, and mother of three children have given her the expertise to resolve even the most painful and difficult legal and parenting issues. She truly cares about each and every family she works with, and she gets the job done quickly, efficiently, and affordably.

Rosanna received her Honours B.A. in psychology from UWO in 1992 and her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1995. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997, and established Rechtshaffen, Breitman along with her husband, Jeff Rechtshaffen, restricting her practice to family law.

Increasingly intrigued by the field of family mediation, Rosanna obtained her Basic and Advanced Family Mediation Certificates from the University of Waterloo in 2002. Following an internship in the family court system, she obtained her Acc.F.M. (Accredited Family Mediator) designation from the Ontario Association for Family Mediation in 2003.

Rosanna has restricted her practice to family mediation since 2006. She received her LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2012.

In conjunction with her private practice, Rosanna serves as a part-time Supervising Mediator with Peel Family Mediation Services, mediating approximately 50 cases per year in the Brampton Family Court system, and training and mentoring new mediators who are working toward accreditation. Rosanna is also available for private coaching in the area of negotiation and conflict resolution skills, as well as consulting and speaking on the topic of conflict resolution.

Rosanna’s demonstrated commitment to the field of family mediation, her many years of education and experience, her approachability and compassion, and her experience as a mother have, together, equipped her with the capacity to unravel and resolve even the most complex cases – and the ability to resolve yours more easily than you may think possible.

Learn more about Family Mediation.

Keith is both a strong advocate and a talented negotiator. He is also a client-focused lawyer who believes strongly in ensuring that his clients are a part of the process and that they always feel as though they have a voice.

As an advocate, Keith has argued successfully at all levels of Court in Ontario. As a negotiator, Keith has been able to negotiate settlements in cases where litigation seemed imminent.

Meaningful representation requires the lawyer to respond both to the needs of the client and also to the circumstances of the file. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to family law.

After graduating summa cum laude from York University, Keith attended law school at Osgoode Hall, where he was a Family Law Division Leader at the Community & Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP), a member of the Osgoode Mediation Clinic, and an award winner at both the Walsh Family Law Negotiation Competition and the National Family Law Negotiation Competition. He was called to the Ontario bar in 2023.