Need help with a family law issue but can't afford a lawyer? Call our intake line at 647-952-3354.​​
MEET THE FJC TEAM
LEADERSHIP
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Stephanie Giannandrea
Director, Family Justice
As Director, Family Justice, Stephanie manages all aspects of the Family Justice Centre (FJC), including its operations, continued development, and strategic planning.
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Stephanie is a graduate of the University Toronto Faculty of Law and spent over a decade practicing family and child protection law in Toronto. Throughout her time in private practice, Stephanie worked to make family legal services more accessible in diverse ways, including managing pro bono programs and volunteering herself as a volunteer lawyer with the Family Justice Centre. She was also a panel lawyer for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, representing children in family law disputes. Prior to joining PBSC, Stephanie worked at Justice for Children and Youth, a non-profit legal aid clinic that specializes in protecting the rights of children and young people facing conflicts with the legal system, education, social service or mental health systems.
Outside of work, Stephanie loves to travel in her camper van.
Kaja Marinic
Program Manager, Family Justice
As a Program Manager with PBSC, Kaja is focused on expanding and assisting in managing our Family Justice Centre.
Kaja is a former family lawyer. She obtained her J.D. from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC and was called to the BC bar in 2017. She practiced law privately in Vancouver (first civil litigation, then family law exclusively), before joining Access Pro Bono BC as a supervising lawyer for their Everyone Legal Clinic. Throughout her career, Kaja has worked and volunteered extensively with various non-profit community organizations to provide much-needed free legal services. She is grateful to continue working on the access to justice crisis in her role with PBSC.
In her spare time, Kaja enjoys watching and performing improv, comedy, and theatre, including in the annual Lawyer Show musical!
VOLUNTEER LAWYERS
​The FJC is grateful for its roster of volunteer lawyers who provide mentorship and legal guidance to law students while helping families access critical legal support. Lawyers interested in volunteering with the FJC can find more information on our Get Involved page.
LAW STUDENT CASEWORKERS
Each year, the Family Justice Centre welcomes applications from upper-year law students enrolled at Ontario law schools. Recruitment typically occurs in early spring and late summer. Be sure to check your law school’s job board or career portal for postings and application details.
Lovleen Goraya
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law
Lakehead University
Lovleen Goraya is a second-year student at Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University, a Professional Certificate in Public Administration and Law, and has completed the Paralegal Program at Humber College.
In her first year of law school, Lovleen volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada at the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre. Last summer, she worked as a Student Scholar with the Law Commission of Ontario on their Improving Protection Orders project. Lovleen is particularly passionate about increasing access to justice and supporting individuals who face barriers navigating the legal system.
Outside of law, Lovleen enjoys cooking, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.
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Kaitlyn Matthews
Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law
University of Toronto
Kaitlyn Matthews is in her second year of law school at the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. Prior to law school, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology at the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in English at McMaster University.
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During her first year of law school, she volunteered at Downtown Legal Services within the Family Law Division, which solidified her passion for increasing access to justice for vulnerable populations. She is excited to join the Family Justice Centre to help families access and navigate the family justice system.
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Outside of law school, Kaitlyn enjoys creative writing, playing the guitar, and hiking.
Ruba Elhassan
Queen's University
Faculty of Law
Ruba Elhassan is a third-year JD student at Queen’s University Faculty of Law with a background in nursing and community advocacy. She has experience supporting families through trauma-informed care, particularly in areas involving domestic violence, housing instability, and newcomer support. Ruba is passionate about client-centered advocacy and improving access to justice for vulnerable communities. She is actively involved in several extracurriculars, including the Queen’s and National Black Law Students Association, oralist for the Immigration & Refugee Law Moot, and family law placements. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and sculpting custom crafts.
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Nase (Jessica) Lim
University of Ottawa
Faculty of Law
Nase (pronounced Na-Sé), also known as Jessica, is a second-year student at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law. She holds an Honours B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto and spent a year teaching elementary English in South Korea.
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Nase is passionate about family law and committed to supporting individuals and families with compassion and care. She is actively involved in student advocacy and mentorship and is excited to serve as VP Advocacy for the Common Law Student Society in 2025–2026.
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Outside of law, Nase enjoys baking, going to the gym, and working with children.
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Naheed Nero
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Toronto Metropolitan University
Naheed is a third-year student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Naheed completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University.
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She has previously worked at Legal Aid Ontario and Neighbourhood Legal Services, which provides free legal services to low-income individuals in Toronto’s downtown east community. Naheed currently serves as VP Events for the Family Law Students’ Society and is passionate about family law, client advocacy, and increasing access to justice for vulnerable communities. As a former volunteer with the Family Justice Centre, she is very excited to continue her involvement as a Student Caseworker to support families navigating the family law system.
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Outside of law, Naheed enjoys hiking, baking and spending time with her family and friends.
Fiona Mucko
University of Windsor
Faculty of Law
Fiona Mucko is a third-year law student at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Prior to law school, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Political Science at the University of Toronto.
During her first year of law school, she volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada, and in her second year, she worked as a Student Caseworker with the FJC, where she is pleased to be returning in the same role. This past summer, she gained valuable experience in litigation while working at a full-service law firm in Toronto. Fiona also serves as the Vice President of Finance for the Family Law Society and is committed to advancing access to justice while supporting clients as they navigate the complexities of the family law system.
Outside of law school, she enjoys pilates, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her family.
Grace Beach
Western University
Faculty of Law
Grace is currently a third-year student at Western University, Faculty of Law. Prior to attending law school, she completed a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies, with a double minor in Sociology and Gender & Social Justice at the University of Waterloo.
After her first year of law school, Grace worked at Western University's Community Legal Services Clinic, where she gained practical experience while serving those in the community who are unable to afford a lawyer. She is passionate about access to justice and helping people better understand and navigate the legal system. Grace also worked at the Family Justice Centre during the 2024-2025 school year and is excited to be returning as a Caseworker this year.
Outside of law, Grace enjoys knitting, reading, and attending concerts with friends.
Michelle Lee
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Toronto Metropolitan University
Michelle Lee is a second-year student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. She holds an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Masters in Public and International Affairs from York University.
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Prior to law school, her professional experience included a variety of bilingual roles in both the federal and provincial government. In particular, her experience in the Family division at the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice fueled her interest in enhancing universal access to justice.
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Outside of law school, Michelle enjoys painting, reading, and spending time in nature.
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Prarthna Patel
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Toronto Metropolitan University
Prarthna is a Student Caseworker with PBSC’s Family Justice Centre, where she supports individuals navigating the family justice system through summary legal advice and public legal education initiatives. Her work focuses on helping clients understand legal processes clearly and confidently, with an emphasis on dignity, accessibility, and client autonomy.
Prarthna is a third-year law student at Lincoln Alexander School of Law (J.D. Candidate 2026). Prior to joining the Family Justice Centre, she gained hands-on clinic experience through the Pro Bone-O Pet Dispute Clinic and worked as a legal researcher with WomenatthecentrE, where she contributed to plain-language legal resources aimed at reducing barriers for marginalized communities. She is particularly interested in learning and growing within the Family Justice Centre while supporting clients in building the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves.
In her spare time, Prarthna enjoys painting, practicing calligraphy, and learning new languages.
Emily Poltorac
Osgoode Hall Law School
York University
Emily is a second-year student at Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to attending law school, she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and History from Queen’s University.
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During her first year of law school, Emily served on the executive teams of the Osgoode Hall Family Law Association and the Osgoode Women’s Network, helping raise awareness and fundraise for both. This past summer, she gained valuable legal experience while working at a dedicated family law firm in the GTA. Emily is passionate about finding solutions to the access-to-justice problem and about creating public legal education for clients navigating their family law matters.
Outside of school, Emily enjoys baking, reading, and playing tennis with her friends and family.
Kien Azinwi
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Toronto Metropolitan University
Kien is a third-year law student with a strong commitment to equity, access to justice, and supporting underserved communities. As a Student Caseworker with the Family Justice Centre, Kien is passionate about supporting individuals and families navigating the family justice system, particularly those facing barriers to legal representation. Kien brings experience in client-focused advocacy, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving, and is motivated by work that combines practical legal assistance with compassion and clarity.
