Meet Joel J.W.G. Szaefer,
Barrister & Solicitor
Joel J.W.G. Szaefer
Family-Focused. Results-Driven.
Joel is a family and divorce lawyer and the founder of Joel J.W.G. Szaefer Professional Corporation. Joel was born and raised in Lambton County and he is proud to offer family law advice and representation in his home community. Joel knows firsthand the many features that make Lambton County great, including the lake, the river, the Valley, the surrounding farmland, and, most of all, the people.
Joel’s practice is focused exclusively on family law. He is knowledgeable in all family law issues, including custody (now called decision-making responsibility), access (now called parenting time), child support, spousal support, marital and common law property matters, marriage and other domestic contracts, Children's Aid Society matters, and adoptions.
Joel provides practical legal advice. If your matter can settle without the need for Court, he can guide you through that process; however, if Court is required, Joel is well-versed in courtroom advocacy. He is no stranger to the courtroom and appears before the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the province's highest Court.
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In addition, Joel is a panel member with the Office of the Children's Lawyer, meaning he is frequently called upon to represent children directly in high-conflict separations and matters involving the Children's Aid Society.
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Joel completed his Honours Bachelor’s degree, his Master’s degree, and his Juris Doctorate at the nearby University of Western Ontario, with a legal education focused primarily on family law. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Advocate's Society, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. At the local level, Joel has served on the Board of Directors for many Lambton County not-for-profit organizations, including Victim Services of Sarnia-Lambton and the Sarnia Family Counselling Centre.
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Joel is currently the President of the Lambton Law Association.
