Confidential, Supportive, Experienced
Experienced and effective litigators in Family Court, the lawyers of Fryer & Associates are also certified to practice Collaborative Law, an innovative and progressive approach to family law. As Collaborative lawyers, they assist couples in resolving their disputes in a more harmonious manner, while maintaining family dignity, reducing conflict and achieving child centered resolutions.
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 Laura E. Fryer
Laura was called to the Bar in 1994 and she has been practicing family law exclusively since 1997. Laura worked in partnership with Heather McGee until May, 2009 when Madam Justice McGee was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice, Family Court. Laura is the principal of Fryer & Associates.
Laura believes in assisting her clients to resolve their legal issues in a reasonable, sensible and respectful way. She works with her clients to come up with creative solutions that are tailored to their specific goals and objectives.
Laura welcomed the advent of collaborative family law as an alternative to traditional litigation for many clients. Laura is a founding member of York Collaborative Practice and its past President. Laura sits on the Board of the Ontario Collaborative Law Federation, the umbrella organization for collaborative practice groups across Ontario and she is the Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She is a certified collaborative practice trainer.
Laura has chaired a judicial panel and has worked with members of the judiciary to bring collaborative practice principles into the court context.
In May, 2010 Laura was appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer to the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket where she continues to assist litigants in early stage resolution of their disputes.
Laura is also a qualified family law mediator.
When Laura is not practising family law she enjoys scuba diving, horse back riding, skiing and travelling.
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 Cheryl Suann Williams
Cheryl commenced work in the legal field in 1992 and earned a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Law (Alternative Dispute Resolution) degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. She is also trained in Collaborative Law.
Cheryl's long association with family law commenced through her involvement with the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic assisting victims of physical and sexual violence, an intensive study in family law, and articles at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Office of the Children's Lawyer involving custody, access and child protection disputes. Since her call, she has worked in boutique family law firms where she developed an extensive practice in complex financial, property and support disputes. She appears at Provincial and Superior Courts, mediations and arbitrations. Her approach is to provide service to clients in a resolution-based, efficient, cost-effective, and compassionate manner.
Cheryl utilizes strong analytic, written and organizational skills in all of her files. She has written for family law publications, the Bar Admission Course, the Law Society of Upper Canada Continuing Legal Education Program, and the Ontario Bar Association. Since 2004, she appears in an educational film on separation and divorce produced for the public by the Superior Court of Justice for the Mandatory Information Program. She is a speaker at this and other educational programs. She is also a Council Member of the Ontario Bar Association and its Mentorship Committee.
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 Jennifer J. Lau
Jennifer earned an Honours degree from the University of Waterloo in Political Science and Computer Science and went on to receive her law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2008.
Jennifer is a collaborative family law lawyer, mediator, and litigator. She is an effective negotiator and advocate, equally comfortable in settlement meetings as in the courtroom. Jennifer's practice has been focused in family law since her call to the bar, covering all aspects of separation and divorce - parenting (custody/access), child and spousal support, and property division - as well as specialized cases involving adoption, child protection, and grandparents' rights. Jennifer believes in respectful, effective representation of her clients, aiming for common-sense solutions that meet the client's interests and goals.
Jennifer currently serves alongside Judges of the family law bench as part of the Working Group for the Improvement of Court Processes (Central East Region). She also sits on the Board of York Collaborative Practice, the association for collaborative family professionals in York Region. In 2011, Jennifer was selected to be a Presenter for the Ministry of the Attorney General's Mandatory Information Program at the Newmarket Courthouse, where she informs litigants about family law issues and procedures.
When she is not at the office, Jennifer is usually playing piano, painting, or planning her next trip abroad.
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 Dawn Kaufman-Frey
Dawn earned her J.D. degree from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law and has been at Fryer & Associates since articling here in 2008. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009 and has practiced family law exclusively since that time.
Dawn's interest in family law started in law school where she participated in the family law section of Downtown Legal Services, the legal clinic of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Dawn takes a practical, common sense approach in assisting her clients to resolve all issues arising from their separation including custody, access, support and property issues. She provides her clients with the legal information they need to make informed choices for their family whether they are involved in collaborative law, negotiating a separation agreement, mediation/arbitration or in litigation. Dawn brings a calm, respectful approach to all her files, assisting clients to focus on the issues at hand.
Dawn is a member of the York Collaborative Practice and Collaborative Practice Toronto. She is also a presenter for the Ministry of the Attorney General's Mandatory Information Program at the Newmarket Family Court. Dawn is also at the Newmarket Court on a regular basis acting as Duty Counsel for unrepresented clients and providing legal information to the public as Advice Lawyer for the Family Law Information Centre.
When Dawn is not working she enjoys spending time with her family and reading novels. |
Knowledgeable, Professional, Efficient
The clerks and assistants of Fryer & Associates are a valued part of our team. Their detailed knowledge of rules and procedures combined with years of experience in family law provide clients with added certainty that files will be handled professionally, with courtesy and respect.
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 Kimberley Papp
Kimberley Papp is a Law Clerk working with Laura E. Fryer. Kimberley graduated from the Legal Administration Program at Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology (Honour Roll) and furthered her education by completing the Law Clerk Program at Niagara College. Kimberley is a member of the Institute of Law Clerks and has worked exclusively in the area of Family Law since 1991.
Kimberley enjoys actively participating with her spouse in their children's activities and enjoying family time together.
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 Tracey Alder
Tracey Alder is a Law Clerk currently working with Cheryl S. Williams. Tracey graduated from the Legal Assistant Program at Humber College of Applied Art and Technology in 1998. She has worked exclusively in the area of Family Law since 1999.
When not working, Tracey is an active equestrian.
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 Lenore Taylor
Lenore Taylor is a Legal Assistant and the Consultation Coordinator for Fryer & Associates. Lenore graduated on the Honour Roll from the Legal Assistant/Law Clerk Program at Herzing College in 2007. Lenore has worked with Fryer & Associates since her graduation, always greeting clients with a smile. She puts clients at ease with her effective listening skills, and is valued at our firm for her determination and resourcefulness.
Outside the office, Lenore enjoys spending quality time with her two daughters, who are growing up too fast.
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