With the choice of lawyers available in Toronto, we encourage clients to find one that feels like a “good fit.” We want to help clients. For that reason, we want clients to understand our firm culture from the very beginning. The information on this page explains our origin, philosophy and approach.
John Sheard brings nearly 20 years of legal experience to every case, along with training in Family Mediation. His philosophy is straightforward: organize the issues, run the calculations, seek resolution first, and litigate only when necessary.
Sheard Law has served Toronto's Danforth, Riverdale, Leslieville, East York, and broader GTA communities for over 15 years.
While representing clients across family law and estate matters, John has lived and worked in Toronto's east end, building lasting relationships with clients and neighbors alike. For nearly 10 years, he has also served as an agent for the Office of the Children's Lawyer (OCL), representing children in high-conflict custody disputes—work that has deepened his commitment to putting families first and finding solutions that minimize conflict.
Whether handling a divorce, administering an estate, or mediating a family dispute, John takes a financially practical approach and strives to resolve cases efficiently.
Sheard Law's association with Longo Lawyers has expanded our resources and capabilities, including a second office at Yonge and Sheppard, while maintaining the personalized service and local expertise our community has come to trust. Whether you're navigating a divorce, administering an estate, or resolving a family dispute, we're here to provide clear guidance and strategic advice tailored to your situation.
We believe in making calm, sensible decisions based on each client's unique circumstances. While we're skilled negotiators who avoid unnecessary conflict, we're experienced trial lawyers ready to advocate vigorously in court when settlement isn't in our clients' best interests.
With an early background in writing and extensive international experience, John brings both clarity and cultural sensitivity to his practice. He drafts precise court documents, negotiates effective settlements, and explains complex legal issues in straightforward terms—skills that serve Toronto's diverse communities and help clients from all backgrounds navigate the legal system with confidence.
Now practicing in association with Longo Lawyers, a respected Toronto litigation firm, Sheard Law now provides clients with enhanced resources across multiple practice areas while maintaining our commitment to personalized, practical legal service.
In addition to our core focus on family law, probate, and estate litigation, our association with Longo Lawyers allows us to serve clients facing personal injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, and commercial litigation matters with the same dedicated approach and strategic advocacy.
At Sheard Law, we guide clients through some of life's most difficult transitions—family breakdown and estate disputes—with practical advice and steady support.
We serve the diverse community around Danforth Avenue, Riverdale, Leslieville, East York, and the greater GTA. By limiting the number of cases we accept, we ensure direct lawyer-client communication and the focused attention your matter deserves.
Our office maintains a calm, straightforward atmosphere that helps reduce the stress and emotion that often arise in family law and estate litigation. We focus on what matters—protecting your interests and resolving legal issues—while avoiding unnecessary conflict, antagonistic correspondence, and unproductive court battles.
When court proceedings are necessary, we litigate strategically and effectively. But we always encourage reasonable positions from the outset, seeking resolution where possible and fighting tenaciously and strategically where required.
Our commitment is to guide you through separation, divorce, or estate disputes while protecting both your legal rights and your peace of mind.
We know that hiring a lawyer can be a daunting experience, with so much depending on selecting the right person for the job. That is why we use a practical approach when it comes to crucial legal principles in all our cases. However, we understand that an effective family law strategy also requires addressing "soft factors" that can heavily influence the outcome. These considerations, such as personalities, emotions, and the desire to "win," can significantly impact a case.
For instance, we tailor our approach to account for these factors, including the importance of sentimental considerations that may hinder negotiated settlements. We constantly encourage clients to prioritize conflict avoidance, especially when children are involved. Ignoring these "soft factors" can lead to unresolved issues and hinder progress in a case.
Our commitment to our clients goes beyond legal principles. We strive to deliver our services with professionalism and acknowledge the powerful dynamics that drive disputes. We remain open to creative solutions, compromise, and adapting strategies as a case unfolds to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
We get it - talking about pricing can be overwhelming. We totally understand that every case is different, which is why we offer personalized consultations to figure out your specific needs and give you accurate pricing.
Just remember, the rates mentioned below are starting points and might vary based on the complexity and specific details of your case.
Where applicable, we bill Support and Administrative Services at $50 per hour plus HST. We track our time using industry leading software and provide details about all the work billed. As such, the fees our clients pay arise from honest timekeeping and detailed time entries. This in turn leads to transparent billing.
We offer initial consultation, typically lasting about 30 minutes, where you can discuss your situation and get straightforward legal advice with no obligation to retain our services.
It's all about finding the right fit. We don't make sales pitches or use pressure tactics—we simply listen to your situation, provide honest assessment, and let you decide if we're the right lawyers for your case.
If you choose to retain us, the consultation time will be billed at our standard hourly rate and applied to your file. If you decide we're not the right fit, you walk away owing nothing and you will not be billed for the consultation.
So if you need assistance, give us a call, send us an email or fill out an intake form to schedule your consultation and get clarity on your legal options.
The length of the initial telephone consultation may vary, depending on the features and issues involved in your particular case
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