Gene C. Colman

• Family law lawyer since 1979
• Practice restricted to family law
• Founder of the Canadian Journal of Family Law
• Published legal author
• Equal parenting advocate
• Promotes procedural fairness in the courts
• Opposes gender bias
• Available for all Ontario family courts
• Represents clients from the U.S.A. and abroad
• Proud father of seven

Professional Background

Gene C. Colman practises exclusively in family law from his office in Toronto, located near Hwy 401 and Allen Rd. He has represented clients throughout Ontario, including in the Greater Toronto Area and courts in Ottawa, Welland, St. Catharines, Stratford, Orangeville, Sarnia, London, Cobourg, Belleville, Barrie, Parry Sound, and Cochrane.

Gene also represents clients from foreign jurisdictions with Ontario-based cases, including individuals from Australia, China, the Netherlands, South Carolina, Arizona, Calgary, and British Columbia.

Client Approach

Service:
Gene provides a high level of personal service, ensuring clients work directly with a senior family law lawyer. To maintain this quality of service, he limits the number of cases he accepts at any given time.

Communication:
Understanding the importance of communication, Gene aims to respond to phone calls and emails within 24 hours, often sooner. All incoming and outgoing correspondence, including letters, emails, and documents, is promptly shared with clients.

Cost Efficiency:
Gene seeks to minimise costs for his clients. Whenever possible, tasks are assigned to staff or associate lawyers to complete at a lower hourly rate.

Areas of Practice

Gene exclusively handles family law matters, including divorce, custody, access, support, property division, marriage contracts (pre-nuptial agreements), and child protection.

With over 40 years of experience, Gene focuses on complex family law cases, particularly those involving challenging factual or legal issues. He welcomes meritorious appeals on points of law.

Parental Alienation:
Gene has extensive experience representing clients facing difficulties in maintaining access to their children, including cases involving parental alienation.

Case Preferences:
Gene generally does not take on simple matters such as uncontested divorces and is unable to accept Legal Aid cases.

Court Representation:
He represents clients in all Ontario courts and has appeared in numerous cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal. While many of his cases are based in Toronto, Oshawa, Whitby, Newmarket, Brampton, Milton, and Hamilton, his practice extends across the province.

Arbitration/Mediation:
Gene also represents clients engaged in arbitration or mediation processes.

Philosophy

As a proud father of seven with numerous grandchildren, Gene understands the importance of children having meaningful relationships with both parents. He firmly believes that divorce should not result in one parent being cut off from their children.

Unless there are genuine concerns for a child’s safety, Gene refuses to represent parents who advocate for severing the child’s relationship with the other parent. He does not support clients who attempt to use their children as a tool to punish the other spouse.

Advocacy for Fairness
Gene has consistently opposed gender bias in family law. He believes Canada’s family law system has historically treated fathers unfairly, perpetuating the “deadbeat dad” stereotype. In his experience, fathers often face higher burdens of proof to maintain meaningful relationships with their children.

While Gene frequently represents fathers, he also represents women and is committed to defending individuals whose rights are unjustly threatened.

Approach to Dispute Resolution
Gene strives to achieve fair resolutions that allow both parties and their children to move forward with dignity. Recognising that family disputes can be emotionally taxing, he prioritises civil and professional conduct throughout the process.

Gene’s approach involves:

• Gathering relevant facts and documents.
• Advising clients on realistic outcomes based on legal principles and case details.
• Pursuing resolutions that enable both parties to maintain constructive relationships for the benefit of their children.
• Where possible, Gene promotes negotiation and conciliation. However, when necessary, he is prepared to pursue litigation or arbitration vigorously to protect his clients’ rights.