AJ JAKUBOWSKA - Bio
A keen student of human nature, AJ brings experience, humanity and directness to her work as family law lawyer, family mediator & parenting coordinator.
Having lived on three continents, in a variety of circumstances, AJ appreciates the importance of “meeting parties to a mediation or parenting coordination where they are” - in other words, of taking into account their cultural and religious backgrounds, and their unique approaches to communication.
“Communication is key in all aspects of life ~ clear, direct, open communication. “
She is an alumna of the University of Toronto, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science, and her Masters Degree in Medieval History.
AJ was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1996. She earned her law degree at the University of Windsor Law School. She is lucky to have been trained by, and later to have worked with, several of Canada's top family law lawyers, both on and off Bay Street.
Over the last 27 years, AJ has gathered extensive experience in conflict resolution through ADR/FDR, as well as through litigation. She has received training in Advanced Family Mediation and in Parenting Coordination.
Family Mediation: AJ has completed the following courses related to family mediation, through Riverdale Mediation, Training & Consulting:
Basic Family Mediation: Theory & Skills (40 hours)
Advanced Family Mediation: Theory & Skills (21 hours)
Screening for Power Imbalances including Intimate Partner Violence (21 hours)
Family Relations (21 hours)
Parenting Coordination: AJ has also completed training in Parenting Coordination with Drs. Barbara Fidler and Shely Polak. She meets the requirements of the Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario) for persons undertaking work as PCs.
AJ is a member of the Association of Family & Reconciliation Courts (AFCC- O) and the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).
AJ is a prolific writer, on topics related to law, mediation, parenting coordination and others. She is the former co-editor of the Annotated Children’s Law Reform Act, as well as former Newsletter Editor of the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO).
AJ hosts two podcasts: SANE SPLIT and Wide-Eyed & Reluctant to Ask. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
She has been in private practice in Newmarket, Ontario, since 2009.
AJ ~ about herself…
“First and foremost, I am human, just like you. I bet I have felt what you feel right now at some point in the past, so I can empathize. My training as a mediator and lawyer balances off my humanity - so I may be able to help you as a fellow human being but with very specific skills.
I have a graduate degree from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Windsor. I have also taken comprehensive mediation training, including in Advanced Family Mediation.
I have 27 years of experience in the field of family law, both in the context of Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), of which mediation is a part, and litigation (court work).
I am a strong proponent of FAMILY MEDIATION as a method of resolving family disputes, particularly those involving children.
I believe that in many cases, a mediated, participant-crafted solution/settlement is preferable to litigation (court), and that family mediation can produce outcomes which are more lasting and more sustainable in the long-term.
Some cases really do require decisions made by Family Court. Many do not.
Many people believe Family Court is the only option for addressing family law disputes. It is not.
I am told by parties who come to family mediation that they feel a sense of empowerment at the end of the process (and sometimes even as the process unfolds). They do not report the same “out of body experience” those who are part of the court process sometimes feel - as if their lives are being played out by others, and decisions made for them.
Again, sometimes judge-made decisions are necessary, in particular cases. To say that all family law cases are suitable for mediation is simply incorrect. However, cases actually requiring a family law judge are not as common as many members of the public believe - for many, court is “the default” because they do not know other options are available. One of my aims as a family mediator is to educate the public about this important and potentially powerful tool to craft solutions to their own, very unique problems and disputes.”