Gerard J. Michaud
Resume
License
2024 - present
Family Law Mediator
(Accredited by the Ontario Association of Family Mediators)
1987 - present
Lawyer licensee of the Law Society of Ontario
(no disciplinary history)
Education
2024
Family Mediation Practicum - Peel Family Mediation Service
2022
Certificate in Family Mediation - School of Continuing Studies, York University (Toronto)
1985
Bachelor of Laws - Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (Toronto)
Professional Experience
2024 - present
Mediator Panel Member (Brampton, Orangeville & Newmarket)
Peel Family Mediation Service
2024 - present
Family Law Mediator - private practice (Michaud Family Law)
2020 - present
Dispute Resolution Officer Panel for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
As an officer of the court, facilitating Case Conferences
-- mediating for settlement and making recommendations to prepare the case for a Judge's involvement. (Part time)
2015 - present
Michaud Family Law - sole practitioner
2010 - 2015
Lawyer/Manager, Family Law Service Centre (Peel) - Legal Aid Ontario
Founded and managed this document preparation service. Provided assistance to hundreds of clients directly and through staff. Contributed to the development of the Centres throughout the GTA area. Provided training to lawyers and workers.
2001 - 2010
Supervisory Family Duty Counsel (Brampton) - Legal Aid Ontario
Started as the first supervisor of this service, in one of the busiest family courthouses in Ontario.
Supervised 50 panel lawyers. Strengthened and expanded services. Personally provided duty counsel and advice lawyer services to thousands of clients, regarding family law and child protection cases.
Active on numerous committees and task forces for the courthouse, Legal Aid Ontario, and the provincial government. Mentored panel lawyers, developed procedures and forms, presented to professionals and the public regarding family law.
2005
Acting Supervisory Criminal Duty Counsel (Brampton)
During a three month transitionary period, managed criminal duty counsel services in the busiest criminal courthouse in Canada (while continuing to manage family duty counsel services). Supervised a total of over 75 panel lawyers. Served on Legal Aid Ontario and government committees.
1999 - 2001
Sole Practitioner (Peel)
Represented clients in family and child protection cases.
1997 - 2001Legal Aid Family Duty Counsel Panel (Brampton)
Assisting clients without lawyers at the family and young offenders court at Brampton.
1997 - 2001
Legal Aid Family Duty Counsel Panel (Brampton)
Assisting clients without lawyers at the family and young offenders court at Brampton.
1988 - 1991
Legal Aid Family Duty Counsel Panel (Toronto)
Assisting clients without lawyers at the family and young offenders court at Brampton.
1987 - 2001
Legal Aid Certificate Panels - Criminal & Family
roviding full representation to clients, funded by Legal Aid Ontario.
1987 - 1995
Office of the Children's Lawyer Personal Rights (Child Protection) Panel
Represented children in family law and child protection proceedings.
1987 - 2001
DeFaria & DeFaria (Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga) - Associate Lawyer
Representing clients, with a focus on family and child protection law. Included personal injury cases and youth criminal proceedings.
1985 - 1996
Office of the Children's Lawyer - Articling Student
Represented children in family law and child protection proceedings.
Volunteer Work
2023 - present
Volunteer MBC - Director
Secretary (2023-present)
A not-for-profit facilitating and supporting volunteering in Peel.
2022 - present
Brampton Dispute Resolution Officer Workgroup
Chair of the Subcommittee of DROs
Composed of judges and Dispute Resolution Officers to improve DRO Conference Services.
2008 - 2024
Peel Region Supervised Access Program Advocacy Committee - Member
Composed of judges, lawyers, and representatives of the Program, this committee provides advice to the government funded service that supervises access visits in Peel.
2004 - 2010,
2016 - 2022
Peel Law Association - Director
2nd Vice President (2019-2020), Secretary (2008 to 2010, 2017 -2019)
This is the association of lawyers in Peel that provides education, social events, services, and advocacy to lawyers in Peel. Served on the education, governance, and website committees. Contributed articles to the Peel Briefs, their newsletter. Organized and presented at a number of legal seminars.
Dec 2021 -
July 2022
Peel Law Association - Acting Executive Officer, then Deputy Executive Officer (volunteer)
On an emergency basis, took on management of Association (reporting to the Board). Conducted a review of financial systems and governance and recommended / implemented major changes. Trained the new Executive Officer regarding this organization. Continued after this period as an advisor to the Association and a member of the Governance Committee.
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Peel Law Association - Special Advisor
July 2022 -
September 2023
2006 to present
Steering Committee of the Family Law Section of the Peel Law Association - Member
This group advocates with the courts, provides seminars, and meets to discuss issues.
2004 - 2006
Legal Workgroup, Peel Committee Against Woman Abuse - Member
This committee is an umbrella organization for agencies providing services supporting victims of domestic violence. We advised the overall committee about family and criminal law and courts.
2008 - 2010
2016 - 2017
Peel Family Mediation Services - Director,
Secretary (2008 to 2010), Treasurer (2009 to 2010, 2016 to 2017)
This organization was founded to advocate for and to provide low cost or free mediation and education to those involved in family law cases in Peel. They have been providing services at the courthouse since 2007.
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2009 - 2015
Safe Centre of Peel (formerly Peel Family Justice Centre)
Member - Advisory Committee (2009 to 2011), Member - Supervisors' Committee (2011 to 2015)
Web designer (2010 to 2012)
This Centre provides multiple services at one location for victims of family violence. It is a collective of a number of organizations (including Legal Aid Ontario) who share space at the Centre and work together.