About
Maxine M. Kerr
2001: Executive M.B.A., Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto
1990: LL.B., University of Toronto
1987: Bilingual Political Science B.A., Glendon College campus of York University, with first-class standing
– Law Society of Ontario
– Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – Ontario (AFCC-O) – Member of the Board and Secretary, Co-chair of 2020 Annual Conference
– Canadian Bar Association, and Ontario Bar Association
– The Advocates Society – Member at Large of the Family Law Practice Group
– The York Region Law Association
2020:
Best Practices for Advocacy and Moving Your Clients’ Matters Forward in the Current Environment, presented by the Ontario Bar Association (May 19, 2020)
Pandexit and Family Justice: Transitioning Out of the Crisis, presented by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Ontario Chapter (May 7, 2020)
9th Annual Recent Developments in Advanced and Complex Issues in Property & Equalization, presented by Osgoode Professional Development, on the topic of Critical and Emerging Issues Arising out of COVID-19 (April 30, 2020)
The Osgoode Certificate in Family Skills and Practice
– Day 3 – Financial Statements (January 16, 2020)
– Day 4 – Consensual Resolution, including negotiation, mediation, other ADR (February 6, 2020)
– Day 5 – When Your Matter Doesn’t Settle (March 5, 2020)
Family Law Refresher, presented by the Law Society of Ontario, on the topic of What you need to know about Negotiation and Drafting Agreements (February 21, 2020)
2019:
Family Law Refresher, presented by the Law Society of Ontario, on the topic of What you need to know about Negotiation and Drafting Agreements (February 22, 2019)
The Osgoode Certificate in Family Skills and Practice
– Day 1 – Initial Client Contact (December 4, 2019)
2018:
Family Law Refresher, presented by the Law Society of Ontario, on the topic of What you need to know about Negotiation and Drafting Agreements (February 23, 2018)
Conduct of the Family Law Trial, jointly presented by The Advocates Society and the Law Society of Ontario, on the topic of Opening Trial Statements (October 12 (presenter) and 13 (instructor), 2018)
The Six-Minute Family Law Lawyer, presented by the Law Society of Ontario, on the topic of Child Support for Adult Children (November 29, 2018)
Maxine M. Kerr is an Aurora-based family law lawyer and mediator with accomplished legal experience and business acumen. Maxine is a strong advocate. She is a careful listener. She has your back. You can place your family matters in Maxine’s hands with trust and confidence.
Before relocating her practice to Aurora in York Region, Maxine was a partner at the Toronto based law firms Smith Lyons LLP and Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP (as it then was when the two firms merged). There, she gained substantial experience in the areas of family law, wills & estates, civil litigation, and restructuring and insolvency law, and was mentored by leaders of the bar, many of whom are now judges of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Maxine currently focuses her practice solely on family law, drawing on her experience in other areas of the law. She has an expertise in matters involving complex financial issues and high net worth or income concerns. Maxine has particular skill in matters involving privately owned businesses, family trusts and financial claims against added parties (often parents of a spouse). Maxine is frequently called on to resolve parenting cases, which she approaches from a child-focused perspective.
Maxine is committed to understanding your circumstances, interests and objectives. She will give you honest and direct advice on the range of likely outcomes, and work with you to put an effective and informed plan in place. She is a skilled and resourceful negotiator, quick to spot creative opportunities for resolution. Maxine remains calm in the face of conflict, focused on moving the actual issues forward.
When a decision is necessary, Maxine’s meticulous attention to detail and strong knowledge of the law will serve you well. Maxine has considerable experience in all steps of both court and mediation/arbitration processes.
Maxine lives in King Township with her husband, John.