Jaclyn Mackenzie

About Me

I was called to the Ontario Bar in 2014 and have more than 12 years of experience practising exclusively in family law and child protection law. After several years practising at a boutique family law firm, I established Mackenzie Family Law in 2018.

Throughout my career, I have focused exclusively on helping individuals and families navigate the legal, practical, and personal challenges that arise in family law proceedings. Having represented clients at every stage of the family court process, I understand that no two families are the same and that the decisions made during a family law case can have lasting consequences for a client's relationship with their children, their financial circumstances, and their future.

My family law practice includes matters involving decision-making responsibility, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and restraining orders. I assist clients in negotiating practical resolutions where possible and provide experienced representation in contested court proceedings when litigation is necessary. My experience allows me to identify the issues that matter most, anticipate potential challenges, and advise clients not only about their immediate legal options, but also about the longer-term implications of the decisions they make.

A significant portion of my practice is dedicated to child protection law. I regularly represent parents and other family members involved in proceedings with Children's Aid Societies, including complex cases where a child's placement, a parent's relationship with their child, or the future of a family may be at stake. Child protection proceedings can move quickly and often involve difficult legal and evidentiary issues. I help clients understand the process, what is expected of them, and the steps they can take to protect their interests and advocate for their family.

In addition to my private practice, I serve as Per Diem Duty Counsel for Legal Aid Ontario, assisting individuals appearing in family court with both family law and child protection matters. This work has given me the opportunity to assist individuals facing a broad range of legal issues, often at critical stages of their proceedings when timely advice and effective advocacy are especially important. I am also a member of the Family Lawyers Association.

More than a decade of practising exclusively in family and child protection law has taught me that effective representation requires more than simply knowing the law. It requires careful preparation, sound judgment, strategic advocacy, and the ability to recognize when a matter can be resolved through negotiation and when court intervention is necessary.

Most importantly, I recognize that clients often seek my assistance during some of the most stressful and uncertain periods of their lives. My approach is straightforward, practical, and client-focused. I explain the law in clear terms, provide candid advice about the strengths and challenges of each case, and ensure my clients understand their options before making important decisions. My goal is to provide experienced and effective advocacy while giving my clients the guidance, clarity, and confidence they need to move forward.