In moments of life’s most intimate conflicts, when family ties are strained by separation or uncertainty, true guidance comes not only from legal expertise but from empathy, conviction, and balance. The art of family law lies in the ability to see beyond the courtroom—to protect relationships, uphold fairness, and help individuals rebuild stability with dignity and care. It is a calling that demands both intellect and heart, where the stakes are deeply personal and the outcomes profoundly human.
At the forefront of this mission stands Gene C. Colman, Managing Partner at the Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre in Toronto, Ontario. With over four decades of legal experience, Colman has built his reputation as a principled advocate for fairness, children’s rights, and equal parenting. Renowned for his mastery of complex divorce, high-value asset, and cross-border cases, he brings clarity and resilience to emotionally charged situations. As a respected thought leader, published author, and voice for reform in family law – particularly in the movement for equal shared parenting – Colman exemplifies leadership grounded in justice, compassion, and unshakable integrity.
A Career Defined by Compassion and Fairness
Colman’s career in family law spans over forty years, defined by his dedication to justice, fairness, and strong family relationships. Since starting his legal journey in 1979, he has focused exclusively on family law and has served as a trusted advocate for children, parents, and families. Early on, he represented children in Hamilton’s Unified Family Court, showing his commitment to protecting those most in need. As a law student, he founded the Canadian Journal of Family Law and continues to contribute as an advisory board member, reflecting a lasting commitment to legal scholarship and reform.
Colman is recognized for his tireless work in promoting procedural fairness and equality, advocating for meaningful relationships between children and both parents, and supporting equal shared parenting. As a founder and key leader in organizations like Lawyers for Shared Parenting and the Canadian Equal Parenting Council, Colman is known for handling complex cases—including those involving high-value assets and international child abduction. His impact extends beyond the courtroom through influential writings and public speaking, shaping Canadian family law and policy with expertise and compassion.
Skilled Representation in Challenging Family Matters
Colman specializes in handling complex and challenging family law cases, including matters related to divorce, child custody and access, spousal and child support, property division and marriage contracts. He has significant experience addressing parental alienation issues. He welcomes meritorious appeals involving points of law. Typically, Colman opts not to accept simple uncontested divorces or Legal Aid cases, focusing instead on cases where his expertise can make a meaningful difference. He represents clients across all family courts in Ontario and he has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Colman is known for his direct and clear communication style, providing personalized attention to each client while maintaining a commitment to cost-efficiency. To ensure high-quality service, his firm limits the number of cases they handle at any given time.
What is particularly unique about Colman is the depth of preparation and thoroughness that he brings to his very in-depth initial consultations. At the zoom consultation he develops customized legal strategies that are documented in a detailed memorandum which summarizes the case and outlines a clear roadmap forward. This methodical and detailed approach helps clients understand their options and the steps necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.
Gene C. Colman — Leadership & Professional Highlights
- Family Lawyer of the Year, Canada (2024) — Global Law Experts
- FDRIO Member of the Month (2018) — Family law justice advocate in Ontario
- Practice: Exclusive focus on family law
- Founder & former Managing Editor, Canadian Journal of Family Law; Advisory Board member
- Court appearances: All major Ontario courts, Divisional Court, Court of Appeal
- Drafted family & commercial arbitration agreements — Rabbinical Court of Toronto
- Founding Editor & Advisor — Canadian Journal of Family Law (since 1976)
- Founding Member & Advisor — Lawyers for Shared Parenting, Canadian Equal Parenting Council
- Member: Canadian Bar Association (since 1979), American Bar Association (since 1990)
Helping Families Navigate Legal Challenges with Confidence
The Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre is a boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to family law, renowned for its strategic and thoughtful approach to each case. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Gene C. Colman, the firm emphasizes a hands-on, personalized method from the initial in depth consultation through to case resolution. Colman personally conducts in-depth consultations, crafting comprehensive, tailored legal strategies to ensure clients fully understand their options and the legal pathways available.
The firm then entrusts these strategies to an accomplished team of lawyers and law clerks who work under Colman’s expert guidance and supervision, maintaining clear leadership throughout the process. Colman remains actively involved, adjusting strategies as necessary to respond to changing case dynamics, ensuring that the client’s overall goals are effectively pursued.
Serving clients across Ontario, including Toronto and other cities, the firm handles a wide range of family law matters, with particular expertise in cases involving complex or high-net-worth financial situations and parenting issues. This includes the valuation and division of corporate assets, stock options, pensions, and navigating child and spousal support guidelines. The Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre is also well-versed in managing cross-border and inter-jurisdictional family law issues, helping clients who have Ontario cases with international ramifications. The firm prioritizes fair financial settlements, upholding children’s rights, enhancing parent-child relationships, and procedural fairness, working across dispute resolution modalities such as litigation, mediation-arbitration (“med-arb”), collaborative law, and negotiation.
This holistic approach, backed by over four decades of Colman’s expertise and leadership, positions the firm as a trusted advocate for families navigating difficult legal challenges with dignity and sensitivity.
Comprehensive Family Law Services at Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre
- Children’s Issues: Advocating for children’s rights, child support agreements, parenting (formerly called “custody and access”), and creative solutions to parental alienation or resist-refuse family dynamics.
- Spousal & Child Support: Managing high-income support obligations with fairness and adherence to guidelines.
- Procedural Fairness: Ensuring unbiased and fair legal processes for all parties.
- International Issues: Handling cross-border family law disputes including jurisdictional challenges where Ontario is involved.
- Parental Alienation: Addressing and preventing manipulation affecting parenting relationships.
- Fathers’ Rights: Championing gender-neutral and equal parenting rights.
- Net Family Property Equalization (as they call it in Ontario) or Property Division in layperson’s terms: Find the right expert for each situation and sort out complex financial issues.
- Marriage Contracts: Negotiating and Drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements including Cohabitation Agreements.
- Collaborative Divorce: Facilitating peaceful, respectful alternatives to litigation through the collaborative dispute resolution model.
Appreciated for Honesty, Expertise, and Compassion
Clients of the Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre consistently commend the firm for its honest advice, expert strategies, and firm support throughout demanding legal matters. Both Colman and his team are recognized for their direct (and sometimes starkingly ‘blunt’) yet realistic communication, professionalism – all the while maintaining an empathetic approach. The firm’s commitment to providing clear guidance and reassurance while maintaining groundedness in reality is frequently noted, especially during highly stressful phases. Clients appreciate the team’s dedication to cost-effective solutions and responsive service, with many expressing gratitude for the firm’s ability to turn difficult situations around.
“They are brutally honest (especially Gene), you will be told exactly what your situation is, so you will need tough skin. Other lawyers gave up on my case, even going as far as to say ‘lawyers don’t like defending men, it’s much harder.’ But Jenny and Gene took my case, and completely turned the tide. I highly recommend them.” ~ D.P., Toronto, September 23, 2019
“I am pleased to recommend Gene Colman as a family law lawyer. At a time when my family and I was faced with an extremely stressful and complicated Children’s Aid case, Gene and his team provided prompt and professional service.” ~ S.M., August 27, 2011
A Philosophy of Fairness and Family Connection
Colman’s philosophy places the highest importance on family relationships and the rights of children to maintain meaningful bonds with both parents. As a father and grandfather, he believes these connections should only be limited if there are genuine safety concerns. He actively refuses to represent anyone seeking to alienate children from the other parent, prioritizing the welfare of children above all else.
Colman is committed to challenging gender bias in family law, working to eliminate outdated stereotypes that have disadvantaged fathers while also advocating for fair treatment of women. His approach to resolving disputes is rooted in fairness, dignity, and professionalism. He aims to achieve results that support positive relationships after a dispute and always prefers negotiation and conciliation methods when suitable. However, he remains prepared to pursue litigation or arbitration when necessary to assertively protect his clients’ interests.
Nurturing Talent and Teamwork in Family Law
Colman fosters a supportive and collaborative culture within his firm by focusing on ongoing learning, transparency, and emotional intelligence. Since March 2020, his firm has operated virtually, with frequent online meetings and regular in-person gatherings to maintain camaraderie. He is passionate about teaching, writing legal articles, and dedicating his career to mentoring students and lawyers, as well as driving law reform and positively impacting clients’ lives.
In addition to Colman himself, the firm has a core group of three lawyers and a senior law clerk who have worked loyally with Colman for many years. Colman takes pride in personally mentoring his team and is committed to bringing in young talent who demonstrate a strong interest in family law, preferring to nurture and grow legal talent from within the firm under his guidance.
Shaping the Future of Family Law with Integrity and Purpose
Looking ahead, Gene C. Colman and his team at the Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre remain steadfast in their mission to elevate fairness, equality, and compassion in family law. Their vision for the future is rooted in advancing shared parenting principles, ensuring every child’s right to meaningful relationships with both parents, and continuing to challenge gender bias within the legal system.
Colman aims to expand his firm’s influence as a hub of mentorship, scholarship, and reform — developing the next generation of family lawyers who practise with empathy, diligence, and justice at heart. With ongoing innovation in virtual legal service delivery and a continued focus on legal education and advocacy, the firm aspires to shape a more balanced and humane family law landscape in Canada, one case and one family at a time.
Open Letter for Aspiring Leaders and Dreamers
Dear Reader,
If there is one truth I have learned throughout my career and personal journey, it is this: pursue your dreams and goals with unwavering moral principle and determination, no matter the obstacles you face. Life will undoubtedly present challenges, but it is your commitment to your values and your perseverance that will guide you through.
Stay true to your core beliefs, act with integrity in all you do, and never let setbacks discourage you from following the path you have chosen. Success is often not just about talent or opportunity, but about the strength to overcome difficulties while holding fast to what is right.
I hope these words inspire you to push forward boldly and with purpose.
Sincerely,
Gene C. Colman, Managing Partner
Gene C. Colman Family Law Centre
5 Key Takeaways from Gene C. Colman’s Impact in Family Law
- Advocate for Fairness and Shared Parenting: Gene C. Colman is a highly experienced Toronto family lawyer who focuses on championing fairness, children’s rights, and the principle of equal shared parenting in Canadian family law, actively challenging gender bias.
- Expert in Complex and High-Stakes Cases: His firm specializes in handling challenging matters like complex divorce, high-value asset division, international disputes with an Ontario aspect, and parental alienation issues.
- Philosophy Rooted in Family Connection: Colman’s legal approach is built on the belief that children must maintain meaningful relationships with both parents, and he refuses to represent anyone seeking to alienate children from the other parent.
- Client-Focused, Strategic, and Honest Service: The firm provides a hands-on, personalized approach with thorough initial consultations to craft detailed legal strategies, emphasizing direct communication and cost-efficiency.
- Commitment to Legal Reform and Mentorship: With over four decades in law, Colman contributes significantly to legal scholarship (e.g., the Canadian Journal of Family Law) and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of family lawyers.
