Lorraine A. Bortolussi, B.A., LL.B., LL.M (ADR)

Lorraine is fully trained and qualified under the new legislation to arbitrate Family Law issues. She completed the Family Arbitration Course and the Domestic Violence course from the Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo.

She will guide you effortlessly through the pre-screening process and setting up an arbitration process which meets the criteria required by law yet tailored to meet the needs of your case.

Lorraine’s mediation and arbitration skills are enhanced by her Family Law background and advocacy in court for her private Family Law clients since her Call to the Ontario Bar in 1984 as well by her extensive adjudicative experience since 1996 which currently includes sitting as a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court, a branch of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. She also served for six years as a Vice-Chair of the Province of Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT), which is the final level of appeal for final decisions of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Prior to that, Lorraine served for five years as member of the Province of Ontario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal.

Lorraine has assisted as a guest lecturer and mediation coach for students in Alternative Dispute Resolution courses in the Bachelor of Laws and the Master of Laws programs at the Osgoode Hall Law School. She has also been an instructor at the Bar Admission Course, Family Section.

She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1984, received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa, and her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English from the University of Western Ontario in London.

When she’s not practising law, Lorraine remains active in her local community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Villa Colombo (Vaughan). She has served as director of several organizations, including: the Friuli Benevolent Corporation (a home for seniors); Mater Dei (a rehabilitation program for women); Women in Crisis (a shelter for abused women), and Centred on Children Daycare (a childcare program).

Lorraine maintains membership in key professional associations, including: the Law Society of Upper Canada, the York Region Law Association, the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, Family Mediation Canada, the ADR Institute, The York Region Collaborative Practice Group, The Toronto Collaborative Practice Group, The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, the Canadian Italian Advocates Organization, and others.

To discuss the possibility of retaining Lorraine as your Family Law lawyer, Collaborative Law lawyer, or for a Family Mediation or Arbitration, she can be contacted at:

or by calling 416-987-3300 ext. 210