As a father of seven children, and grandfather to many, I realize how essential it is for children to have significant contact and input from both parents. A divorce should not mean that one parent becomes cut off from the children.

I believe that men generally have been quite poorly treated by Canada's family law justice system. The "deadbeat dad" stereotype has unfortunately become mainstream and has made its way into the very fabric of the legal system.

I have found that in many cases for a father to maintain a meaningful relationship with his children post-separation/divorce, he must bring forth much more and better quality evidence than would a mother. Many of my clients are fathers who wish to maintain relationships with their children.

Do I represent women? Certainly. My clients quickly come to realize that my chief concern is representing people whose rights and concerns are unfairly threatened. Men certainly do not have a corner on injustice.

After more than 37 years as a family law lawyer, I find that I do best for clients who have challenging situations of fact and/or law. I welcome complex cases, particularly meritorious appeals on points of law.

My approach to the crucial issues in modern family law are front and centre:

• Equal Shared Parenting: There should be a rebuttable presumption in favour of equal shared parenting.
• Parental Alienation: The advocate for the "target" parent must think outside of the box and devise ways to achieve real results for the client. While not every case can have a solution, there are far too many cases where the legal system does not respond with sufficient resolve and creativity.
• Fair Treatment for all - Procedural Fairness: Family courts must dispense justice in an even handed manner without discrimination. Preserving procedural rights ensures that each side has the opportunity to fully and fairly place his/her case before the court.
• Gender Equality: Courts must make decisions without preconceived notions based upon a person's gender.
• Fathers' Rights: Some react negatively to this term. I believe that "Fathers' Rights" should equal "Family Rights".
• Child Support: Child support should be administered in our courts in a fair and balanced fashion.