Meet Our Team
Our Team
Maggie Hall earned her BSc. from the University of Toronto in 1984, her MSW from the University of Toronto in 1986 and her Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2008. She has more than 30 years of experience working with families of separation and divorce.
Maggie has been qualified as an expert by the courts with respect to custody and access matters. She is a recognized mediation trainer in the province of Ontario. She was at the forefront of the development of child protection mediation in the province and continues to promote and practice child protection mediation.
Maggie has been accredited as an Elder Mediator (intergenerational mediation) and works with families around later life decisions such as plans of care for elderly parents, power of attorney conflicts, and disputes with respect to estates.
Shannon is an experienced family law lawyer and accredited family mediator with nearly two decades of experience helping families resolve disputes outside of court. Her practice focuses on mediation and Collaborative Family Law, with an emphasis on practical, respectful, and lasting solutions.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and her law degree in 2006 from the University of Windsor. Shannon is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM), a Child Protection Mediator, a Court-Connected Family Mediator, and a member of the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals. She is certified in Online Dispute Resolution and holds training in Child-Inclusive Mediation, Voice of the Child Report writing, openness in adoption, and pet custody.
Shannon mediates all aspects of family law, including parenting time and decision making, child support, spousal support, and property division. She creates a safe, supportive space for difficult conversations and helps families reach customized agreements that work now and into the future.
Steven Benmor, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law), C.S., Cert.F.Med., C.Arb., FDRP PC, Acc.D.C., is a full-time Mediator/Arbitrator and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group, a boutique matrimonial law firm in downtown Toronto.
Mr. Benmor is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Certified Specialist in Parenting Coordination and was admitted as a Fellow to the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. As a highly educated divorce professional, Mr. Benmor combines his proficiency in all the areas of law that govern a divorce – family, estates, tax, real estate, criminal, corporate and trusts. After over three decades in family law, Mr. Benmor has acquired a deep understanding that a couple’s separation is not merely a legal dispute, but a profoundly human one. He possesses a high level of emotional intelligence, a natural curiosity, listening skills and an innovative approach to problem-solving.
Jim Fitch, M.A., LL.B., Acc. FM, Acc. EM, is a facilitative family and elder mediator, parenting coordinator and divorce coach. Jim is a past Chair of Discipline and Professional Conduct for both the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, as well as the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Jim has taught Evidence at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer and in the Police Foundations programs at Conestoga College in Kitchener and Fanshawe College in Woodstock. Jim is an acknowledged expert in Mediation Ethics, and contributed the chapter on Professional Ethics and Conduct in the most recent edition of The Family Dispute Resolution Handbook.
Jim lives in Burlington with his wife, sons, and their spoiled pets Phoebe and Hazelnut.
Larry has been studying and teaching conflict management for more than twenty years. He has run workshops and seminars for fellow professionals and has trained peer mediators. He is a committed advocate of cooperative problem-solving and peaceful conflict resolution.
After graduating from McMaster University’s Family Mediation program, he interned with the Mediation Centre and was accredited as a Family Law Mediator in 2008. In 2010 he added accreditation as a Child Protection Mediator and is on the Ontario CP Med roster. He has provided on-site mediation services at several family courts and works extensively with a number of Children’s Aid Societies.
He is a volunteer presenter for the Mandatory Information Program at the Milton Superior Court of Justice.
Dylan Purdon
LLB, AccFM(OAFM)
Mediator
He/Him
Dylan is a family lawyer and accredited family law mediator with nearly a decade of experience helping families navigate complex parenting and financial issues. In addition to his family law and mediation practice, he has served on the panel for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer since 2017, representing children in both family law and child protection proceedings.
A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Dylan also holds a Wills and Estates certificate from OsgoodePD and is co-author of the Adoption chapter in the legal text, Wilson on Children and the Law. Known for his practical, thorough, and empathetic approach, Dylan is dedicated to guiding families towards clear and sustainable solutions during times of uncertainty.
Amanda Silver
OCT, OAFM
Mediator
She/Her
Amanda is an Accredited Family Mediator, Child-Protection Family Mediator, Court-Connected Family Mediator, and a proud member of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM). She is also the co-host of the well-known divorce podcast, Dirty Laundry. With certification in Online Dispute Resolution, Amanda offers a wide range of family mediation services, including parenting plans, child support, spousal support, and property division. She completed her mediation training through York University and Family Mediation Training Canada. Having experienced the divorce process herself, Amanda was motivated to pursue family mediation to help others navigate separation and divorce.
Alongside her mediation work, Amanda is a dedicated teacher and a member of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). She taught kindergarten for several years before transitioning to teaching grades six through eight. With extensive experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, Amanda is deeply committed to fostering better communication, bringing families together, and helping them find resolutions.
Joan Williams is a Family Mediator specializing in Family Mediation and Elder Mediation. Joan completed the Advanced Family Mediation program at Conrad Grebel University College (University of Waterloo) and studied Alternative Dispute Resolution through the University of Windsor.
Joan works with couples and families to help them develop their own unique solutions to the challenges of life transitions. She focusses on fostering respect and understanding between the parties to ensure that future questions can be resolved in a respectful and effective manner, particularly in relation to the well-being of children. Having lived in other areas of the world, Joan has an understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity.
She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration and experience in governance, workplace issues and volunteer organizations. Joan serves as a mediator with Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) in family issues and in the Elder Mediation program, and also volunteers with the Court Support Program at Waterloo Region Family Court.
Evelyn Vander Zaag has been a team member at the Mediation Centre since 1999. She is a registered Mental Health Practitioner, an accredited Family Mediator and is on the OAFM roster for Child Protection Mediation. She has been involved in the field of social work for over 30 years, and has served as a family mediator for over 20 years. Evelyn has continued to expand her counselling skills through the completion of a certificate in Addiction Studies. She has used these skills to counsel individuals and families affected by problematic substance use.
In the past, Evelyn volunteered with a community Youth Justice initiative. More recently, she has been gaining experience in the area of elder mediation.
Evelyn provides comprehensive family mediation and child protection mediation services. Her goal in mediation is to provide separating parents a safe opportunity to make healthy decisions for themselves and their children.
Brennah Taylor
Executive Assistant and IRC
She/Her
After Brennah obtained her Diploma from George Brown College for Social Service Work in 2017, she volunteered with Families and Individuals struggling with Mental Health. In 2021, Brennah started working with The Mediation Centre and Mediation North as an Executive Assistant and quickly became invested in assisting families through the tough transitions of separation and divroce.
Brennah is the Information and Referral Coordinator at the Milton Courthouse. Through this role, she assists families going through a Family Law proceeding and connects them to community resources and legal information that may aid the process.