Compassionate Family Law Services for You

Melissa James is a family lawyer based in Barrie, Ontario.
Her practice concentrates on family law where she helps clients resolve difficult issues with clarity, focus, and practical strategies.

Notwithstanding, Melissa is a gritty and zealous advocate. She brings over 15 years of professional experience in advising, counselling, and consulting. Melissa has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, where she combined academic insight with practical application.

She has contributed to matters before the Supreme Court of Canada, including Ahluwalia, and assisted with cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal. Her legal work also includes experience with alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration, along with mentoring from leading experts in the field. Melissa’s practice is defined by pragmatism, efficiency, and the strategic use of technology.

She draws on lived experience to understand the human realities behind family disputes. She is known for gritty determination, clear communication, and practical strategy.

Melissa approaches each case with a balance of compassion and resolve. She works to simplify complex legal processes, reduce unnecessary conflict, and deliver meaningful results for her clients. For clients, she is a steady guide through one of life’s most difficult transitions. Colleagues know her as a lawyer who is both approachable and uncompromising in pursuit of fair outcomes.