With the choice of lawyers available in Toronto, we encourage clients to find one that feels like a “good fit.” We want to help clients. For that reason, we want clients to understand our firm culture from the very beginning. The information on this page explains our origin, philosophy and approach.
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“Extremely professional and genuinely concerned for his clients”
2021 Client
Founded in 2011 by John Sheard, our law firm is dedicated to serving Toronto's Danforth community with a fresh approach to estate and family law. Our goal is to make calm and sensible decisions based on each client's unique circumstances, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
With John's extensive legal experience since graduating from Queen's University Law School in 2004, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our firm. Additionally, his background in English literature and passion for languages enrich his work, creating a distinct advantage for our clients.
At Sheard Law, we are dedicated to helping and supporting our clients through important decisions. Our office proudly serves the diverse community around Danforth Ave. and the greater GTA. With a focus on direct lawyer-client connections, we limit the number of new cases we accept to ensure our clients receive the attention they deserve. Under John's leadership, our office fosters a relaxed atmosphere that helps de-escalate the emotions often associated with estate issues and family breakdown.
Our approach emphasizes genuine issues, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, such as antagonistic letter exchanges, petty disputes, or needless court proceedings. While court proceedings may sometimes be necessary to resolve disputes, our team encourages taking a reasonable position from the outset. We are committed to guiding you through your separation, divorce or estate issues while preserving your peace of mind.
We know that hiring the law can be an overwhelming thing to try and understand. That is why we use a practical approach when it comes to crucial legal principles in all our cases. However, we understand that an effective family law strategy also requires addressing "soft factors" that can heavily influence the outcome. These considerations, such as personalities, emotions, and the desire to "win," can significantly impact a case.
For instance, we tailor our approach to account for these factors, including the importance of sentimental considerations that may hinder negotiated settlements. We constantly encourage clients to prioritize conflict avoidance, especially when children are involved. Ignoring these "soft factors" can lead to unresolved issues and hinder progress in a case.
Our commitment to our clients goes beyond legal principles. We strive to deliver our services with professionalism and acknowledge the powerful dynamics that drive disputes. We remain open to creative solutions, compromise, and adapting strategies as a case unfolds to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
We get it - talking about pricing can be overwhelming. We totally understand that every case is different, which is why we offer personalized consultations to figure out your specific needs and give you accurate pricing.
Just remember, the rates mentioned below are starting points and might vary based on the complexity and specific details of your case.
Where applicable, we bill Support and Administrative Services at $50 per hour plus HST. We track our time using industry leading software and provide details about all the work billed. As such, the fees our clients pay arise from honest timekeeping and detailed time entries. This in turn leads to transparent billing.
Absolutely brilliant. Sheard Law was extremely responsive, transparent, friendly, clear. [John] did everything to make an incredibly stressful process as painless and as straightforward as possible. I never originally wanted to involve lawyers as my case was relatively simple, but it was well worth the peace of mind and additional assistance. Absolutely recommend Sheard Law.
John came highly recommended to me and now I know why. Divorce isn't easy, but from the first phone call with John, I knew immediately that I was not only in the best hands professionally, but there was a layer of understanding and empathy that I didn't expect to experience going through this process. With his deep knowledge of the law, John was able to work quickly and efficiently with a real intent to keep my costs down. I can't thank John enough for assisting me through this complicated time and was blown away by how positive of an experience it was working with him.
John is extremely knowledgeable, professional, compassionate, and attentive. His attention to detail, and prompt communication made this very complicated matter much easier to handle. I appreciate all his help in getting me to a satisfying outcome! I would recommend John to anyone who required professional support in family Law.
As my legal counsel, John Sheard put the anxieties around my divorce to rest with his dedicated professionalism and calm guidance. He is personable, understanding and attentive, and he clearly knows his way around divorce law. He gave me good advice every step of the way. And he was more available to me than I could have ever expected or hoped for, always responding promptly to messages and going the extra mile to make time to talk. I also appreciate that John was mindful not to let my bill mount unnecessarily. I felt respected and cared-for. A client of John’s can rest assured they are in good hands.
I would give John Sheard the highest rating, not just for his legal skills but also for his thoughtful, measured, caring and empathetic approach while at the same time standing his ground on ensuring a very fair and just outcome. We went through a divorce through mediation. The financial matters were quite complex and John was receptive to advising only on matters where his guidance and advice were invaluable, thus keeping the legal costs low. In a process where matters could get ugly fast, John has a skill set that fosters calm, thus allowing for cooler heads to prevail. I am glad that I had John Sheard on my side and would highly recommend him.
Thank you John. You have kept a very professional approach and also aided in keeping me calm as well. You are a fantastic family law lawyer looking out for my best interest since the beginning and it is much appreciated.
Divorce is one of the most stressful things in the world. I was really upset and lost when I started my divorce. Luckily, I found John to be my lawyer. He is not like some other lawyers that try to get you into a bigger fight with the other side (which might cost you much more money without getting more from the separation process). [John] analyzed my situation; he give me very professional suggestions and he helped me resolve my divorce quickly with reasonable fees. I am so grateful for his passion, dedication, and professionalism.
Extremely professional and genuinely concerned for his clients, Mr. Sheard is truly one of a kind. He offers advice that keeps those he serves at the forefront. Highly recommended.
Thank you John. You have kept a very professional approach and also aided in keeping me calm as well. You are a fantastic family law lawyer looking out for my best interest since the beginning and it is much appreciated.
I was getting a divorce and John was highly recommended to me by a friend. I was extremely pleased with the way he handled the processing of my divorce. He was very personable but also kept me informed while keeping costs down which I really appreciated. He definitely eased the stress that came with my divorce and I would highly Recommend him.
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