David Frenkel has been practicing exclusively family law since 2008. David has volunteered with various organizations including the Jewish Family and Child Services, the Ontario Mandatory Information Program and women’s shelters and centres throughout the Greater Toronto Area. David has also published in the Canadian Family Law Quarterly, the Ontario Bar Association magazine Matrimonial Affairs, Law Times, The Lawyer’s Weekly and the Globe and Mail among others. David’s speaking engagements include the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Medical Psychotherapy Association Canada (MPAC), the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the Law Society of Ontario Annual Family Law Summit, Jewish Family and Child Services, and Boost (Child & Youth Advocacy Centre).
Awards & Recognition
Published articles in About Face: Essays on Addiction, Recovery, Therapies, and Controversies, Paperback 2019
Excerpts from Lawyer’s Daily article referenced in the House of Commons Debates on Bill C-78, 2018.
M. Holder-Franklin Award for Excellence in Science Research
David has been practising exclusively in the area of family law and child protection since being called to the Ontario Bar in 2014. David joins Frenkel Tobin having previously spent time at a boutique family law firm where he gained experience in all aspects of family law.
Prior to his career in law, David worked in the financial industry as a mutual fund compliance officer. This experience provided him with a thorough understanding of financial instruments. David represents clients at all levels of court in Ontario and before the Child and Family Services Review Board. Although David is a strong and confident litigator, he strives to resolve his clients’ issues through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.
David has experience:
representing parents involved in child protection proceedings
representing parties in family proceedings
negotiating domestic contracts of all kinds
representing parties in adoption proceedings
David is a member of various professional organizations including:
He has been published in the Law Times and co-authored a paper presented at the Ontario Bar Association on the use of voir dires in family law trials.
David has also presented at the 311 Jarvis Open Bar continuing education series. During his personal time, David enjoys reading, cycling and cooking.
Credentials
2014
Called to the Ontario Bar
Education
2013
JD, University of New Brunswick
2008
BA (Honours), York University
Recent Reported Decisions
2023
MarS v. S., 2023 ONSC 1342Trial relating to the issue of relocation, where the Applicant wanted to relocate to Ireland with the parties’ child. Successfully argued that the relocation application should be dismissed, and that an equal parenting time schedule should be implemented.
MarS. v. M., 2023 ONSC 1811Motion for parenting time where Applicant refused to allow Respondent to have overnight parenting time. Unsubstantiated allegation of family violence. Order for equal parenting time for an 18 month old child.
JanR. v. W., 2023 ONSC 259Motion to change child support. Order imputing income to payor. Order for retroactive and ongoing child support.
2022
JunS. v. C., 2022 ONSC 4474Trial relating to the primary residence and relocation of a child in the face of a critical section 30 report.
FebZ. v. A., 2022 ONSC 1159Motion to implement parenting time recommendations of Office of Children’s Lawyer report.
FebDCAS v. G.S., 2022 ONSC 805Children’s Aid Society temporary care and custody motion relating to supervised parenting time and OCL appointment.
JanS. v. L., 2022 ONSC 1396Motion for ongoing child support, ongoing spousal support, arrears of support and beneficiary of life insurance policy.
2021
OctE. v. M., 2021 ONSC 6919Opposing a motion for imputation of income and retroactive child support.
MayO. v. P.O., 2021 ONSC 3718Trial relating to exclusion of inherited matrimonial home from property division including cost award.
AprN. v. N., 2021 ONSC 2530Motion for determination of income, ongoing and retroactive spousal support, and mortgage renewal dispute relating to the matrimonial home.
Christina’s practice is client focused and results orientated. Christina is a strong and emphatic
advocate while striving to resolve issues without unnecessary expense for her clients.
Christina obtained her law degree from Queen’s University in 2019 and was called to the bar in
June 2020. Prior to joining Frenkel Tobin, Christina practiced at a family law and estate litigation
firm in Toronto. Christina has experience in mediation, arbitration, and litigation and has worked
on complex files related to all areas of family law, including property and income matters,
parenting issues, and interjurisdictional disputes.
Christina developed a keen interest in family law during her time at Queen’s University which
has continued throughout her legal career. Christina was a caseworker with the Queen’s Family
Law Clinic and acted as the Program Coordinator of the Family Law Project, a program
administered by Pro Bono Students Canada. Christina also completed an internship at a family
law firm in Kingston, Ontario wherein she received the course award for highest academic
standing.
Outside of the office, Christina enjoys spending time exploring Toronto (on foot or her bicycle)
and visiting her family on Manitoulin Island.
Christina is a member of the Family Lawyers Association and the York Region Law Association.
Awards & Recognition
2018
Course Award for highest academic standing in Family and Children’s Law Placement
2017
Course Award for highest academic standing in Fiduciary Obligations
Amruta obtained her law degree from the University of Mumbai in 2018. She was called to the Ontario bar in July 2022 after completing the Law Practice Program at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly, Ryerson University) and articling with a family lawyer based in Toronto.
Amruta has always gravitated towards direct interaction with people and being actively involved in the community. Her undergraduate studies in sociology and child psychology have helped her develop a comprehensive understanding of how various social, cultural and emotional factors influence interpersonal dynamics within families.
Prior to joining Frenkel Tobin, Amruta practiced family law at a general practice firm in Mississauga and gained substantial experience on a diversity of family law matters, including property division, complex spousal support and child support issues, parenting arrangements and negotiating and drafting domestic contracts to facilitate out-of-court settlement. Amruta understands that practicing law is both a responsibility and a privilege and brings a creative and sensitive approach to her practice.
Outside of the office, Amruta loves cooking and perfecting her sewing skills, and enjoys her time with family and her pet cat, Cey.
Oriana received her law degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in June 2024. Prior to joining Frenkel Tobin LLP, Oriana completed her articles with a boutique family law firm in Toronto where she gained experience working on a variety of family law matters.
Oriana’s passion for family law began in law school where she recognized her desire to work with people navigating legally and emotionally challenging issues. In her first year, she volunteered with the Tenant’s Rights Project at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service where she assisted individuals experiencing precarious housing situations. She remained involved with the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service throughout law school and completed a course placement with the organization in her third year. Upon graduation she received the A. William Cox Memorial Award for her efforts throughout the semester at the Clinic and commitment to working with the community.
Oriana also worked as a research intern with the Access to Justice and Law Reform Institute where she examined judicial decision-making in parenting cases where allegations of family violence were made. It is Oriana’s goal to assist clients with empathy while providing a clear legal path forward so that each client feels seen and heard.
In her free time, she enjoys baking, staying active by practicing yoga and taking ballet lessons, and having dinner parties with friends.
Credentials
2024
Called to the Ontario Bar
Education
2024
JD, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
2020
BA (Honours) in History, University of New Brunswick
Samantha received her law degree from the University of Cape Town Faculty of Law in 2018 and was admitted as a lawyer to the Cape Town High Court in 2021 after two years of doing her articles at a reputable law firm in Cape Town with a focus on family law.
During her studies, she was a founding member of the UCT Moot Society as well as a member of numerous academic, cultural and charitable societies.
Prior to joining Frenkel Tobin, Samantha practiced as a family law lawyer in Cape Town, South Africa for two years. Samantha has experience in alternative dispute resolution and litigation of family law matters.
Samantha has written articles for her firm’s website and social media. She has further appeared on the radio speaking about legal issues on numerous occasions.
Since university, Samantha has always had a keen interest and passion for family law. Aside from her practice, she assisted low-income clients on a pro-bono basis in her community.
Outside the office, Samantha enjoys running, hiking and spending time with her family.
Education
2018
LL.B, Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town
Roxanna Cian will be receiving her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and will be called to the bar in 2025. She will graduate with an accreditation in Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and the Administration of Justice, through which she is completing a publishable research paper on family mediation in the context of child custody (decision-making responsibility) disputes.
During law school, Roxanna was chosen to be a part of Pro Bono Students Canada and volunteered as a caseworker for a women’s shelter where she provided family law services to survivors of intimate partner violence and held family law information sessions.
Roxanna was also selected to join the Mediation Clinical and Intensive Program at Osgoode Hall. Here she acquired a certification in Mediation, conducts Small Claims Court and family mediations, and facilitates dispute-resolution workshops.
In her school community, she serves as the Vice-President of the Mental Health Law Association and Publications Director of the Family Law Association.
When she is not studying, Roxanna likes to attend to her vast collection of exotic house plants or paint at her local art studio.
Roxanna is looking forward to start her articling placement with Frenkel Tobin in August 2024.
Education
2024
JD Candidate, 2024, Osgoode Hall Law School
2019
BA (Honours), Political Science, Specialization in Legal Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
Entrance Scholarship
Dean’s List 2016-2019
In-course scholarship for high academic achievement – Introduction to Law; Legal Writing
Charlotte has been practicing exclusively in the area of family law and child protection for almost 30 years. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1989. She is widely recognized as a leader in the area of child protection. Her areas of practice encompass all issues arising from cohabitation and marriage, with particular expertise in legal issues related to children. Charlotte has represented children, parents, extended family and community members, Children’s Aid Societies, women’s shelters, youth organizations and government ministries at all levels of the Ontario courts.
She has conducted training, authored materials and made presentations on various legal topics to a wide array of audiences, including judges, lawyers, law students, police officers, children’s mental health professionals, and teachers, among others.
Charlotte has published and lectured extensively on family law topics and has been a regular contributor to the National Judicial Institute and Family Law programs. Charlotte is, and has been, an active participant on many committees and pilot projects aimed at reforming and improving the family law system.
