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Roslyn M. Tsao

Managing Partner
(
  • she/her
)
Tsao, Roslyn Chambers 2023

Bio

As a fierce advocate for her clients, Roslyn navigates complex legal matters with ease, not only in the courtroom, but also during negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and collaborative family law. She is an attentive listener who can effectively bridge the gap between what a client initially wants and what they will eventually need to preserve their family’s wealth and goodwill. With the aim of keeping resolution at the forefront, she masterfully analyzes all facets of a situation to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions that work for her client.

Roslyn's practice is devoted to all aspects of family law, including parenting, property division, and support. Her prior experience in other areas of law including employment, wills & estates, criminal, real estate and taxation enable her to provide effective and comprehensive legal representation. Roslyn's client base includes high net-worth individuals with complex asset or compensation structures as well as international clients who reside outside of Canada.

Roslyn has appeared on motions, conferences, and trials in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and argued appeals at the Ontario Court of Appeal.  Roslyn is also regularly retained as a mediator and arbitrator in private disputes.  Roslyn is an Associate Editor of the Reports of Family Law.  Roslyn has taught Family Law at Osgoode Hall Law School and at the University of Toronto Law School.

As the firm’s Managing Partner, Roslyn is not only responsible for the firm’s operations but also for the firm’s recruitment and student programs.

Whether your legal situation involves inter-jurisdictional issues, complex financial matters, or something else altogether, Roslyn’s sound legal analysis paired with her creative-problem solving and honest advice will give you the clarity you or your family deserves. Roslyn ensures that her clients know what to expect every step of the way, working alongside them to plan for the long-term, while keeping an open mind about what really matters to them.

Roslyn is the 2022 recipient of the Award of Excellence in Family Law in Memory of James McLeod from the Ontario Bar Association and has a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers & Partners Global High Net Worth Guide in Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth (Canada)

Recognition

  • Lexpert "Most Frequently Recommended" - Family Law
  • Band 1 Ranked in Chambers & Partners Global High Net Worth Guide in Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth (Canada)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers - Family Law and Family Mediation
  • 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award - Federation of Chinese Canadian Lawyers Ontario
  • 2022 Award of Excellence in Family Law in Memory of James McLeod - Ontario Bar Association
  • 2021 "Lawyer of the Year" (Toronto) in Family Law - Best Lawyers in Canada
  • 2020 Recipient of Corporate Diversity & Leadership Award – Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Ontario
  • 2017 Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers – Community Leaders Showcase
  • 2015 University of Toronto Arbor Award

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • A Roadmap for Unjust Enrichment and Resulting Trust Claims (Yes, they are different) – co-author with Kristy Warren, Canadian Family Law Quarterly (Feb 2024) and Annual Review of Civil Litigation (2023)
  • Halton County Law Association Annual Family Law Seminar (2023) - "Enforcement Motions and Rule 1(8)"  (with Madam Justice Cleghorn and K. Warren)
  • CBV Institute Congress Connect (2023) - "Who Needs the Law?!"– Curated Cases and Practical Tips for CBVs (Panel)
  • LSO 20th Real Estate Law Summit (2023):  Playing In The Family Law Sandbox:  Staying out of the Muck! (co-presenter)
  • CCLA 31st Annual Institute of Family Law (2022-2023):  The Year in Review (with A. Franks)
  • Osgoode Family Law Skills Certificate Program (2022 / 2023):  Module 6 - Conferences Best Practices (co-presenter)
  • Adjunct-Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School - Family Law (2022)
  • Women's Law Association of Ontario (WLAO): Mentorship (Panel)
  • OBA Alternate Dispute Resolution and Family Law Sections (2021):  New Duties of Legal Advisors under Family Law Legislation (Panel) 
  • CBV Institute Congress (2020):  2020 Sharpening Your Vision - Litigation Support for Covid-19 Valuations (with L. Poole, CBV and K. Warren)
  • OBA Tenth Annual Bread and Butter Issues in Family Law (Oct 2019): Life Insurance as Security for Support: Best Practices and Alternatives (Panel)
  • LSO Professionalism and Practice Management Issues in Administrative Law (Sept 2019): Dealing with Competence Concerns (Panel)
  • Pro Bono Students Canada – 2019 National Training Conference (May 2019): Access to Justice:  Perspectives in Family Law (Panel Moderator)
  • LSO 13th Family Law Summit (March 2019): Domestic Contracts (Panel) 
  • Pro Bono Students Canada – 2018 National Training Conference (May 2018): Access to Justice: Perspectives in Family Law (Panel Moderator)
  • Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (Feb 2018): In-House Family Law Staff Training
  • OBA 8th Annual Bread and Butter Issues in Family Law (Sept 2017): How a Hot (or Not) Real Estate Market May Impact Your Family Law Files
  • RBC Wealth Management Study Group Session (May 2017): Special Topics in Family Law - The W5 of Marriage Contracts
  • Osgoode Professional Development 5th Annual Recent Developments and Complex Issues in Property and Equalization (Mar 2016): The Matrimonial Home - Constructing and DeConstructing Your Property Issues
  • Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Conference (Sept 2015): Current Cross Border Issues In Family Law
  • Thunder Bay Lawyers Association Fall Conference (Sept 2014): Preparing and Critiquing the Form 13.1 Financial Statement and 2014 Family Law Cases - Highlights
  • AG – "Crown School" (Jun 2014): Ins and Outs of the Financial Statements with Neil Maisel, CBV

Professional Involvement

  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
  • The Advocates' Society
  • Associate Chair of the University of Toronto Tribunal, Trial Division, for academic disciplinary matters
  • Associate Editor of the Reports of Family Law
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Lawyer Volunteer - Pro Bono Students Canada Family Justice Centre
  • President of the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals Education Foundation
  • Director of the Association of Chinese Canadian Lawyers of Ontario

Education, Admissions & Designations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (1993)
  • LL.B from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (1991)