Joanne Guarasci is a senior partner at Ross & McBride where she leads the Family Law Group. Joanne has practiced at Ross & McBride for over 35 years and has held a number of leadership positions within the firm, including both Chair and Vice Chair.

Practicing exclusively in Family Law, Joanne advises on a range of matters arising from relationships, including marriage contracts, cohabitation agreements, adoptions, separations, and divorce. Joanne’s practice is enhanced by a Collaborative Law Designation and by her in-depth experience as a trial lawyer and as a family law mediator.

As a mother of three adult children, Joanne places great value on family. She understands that family relationships are highly impactful on our lives and can often be complex. Her clients appreciate her honest, direct approach to legal advice and her unwavering focus on solving problems quickly and expeditiously. Her goal is always to resolve issues in a way that is practical and cost-effective, and she is resolutely persistent in doing so.

In addition to being an accomplished lawyer, Joanne has held numerous leadership roles in Hamilton’s legal community and with local organizations in a variety of different endeavours, including volunteering her time with several Boards, committees, and non-profits.

She has held the position of President and Past President of the Hamilton Lawyers’ Club and was a member of the Hamilton Law Association’s Services & Benefits Committee. She has served as a member of the Hamilton Family Court Liaison & Community Resources committees and was a Board Member of Hamilton’s Supervised Access Centre.

She also served for many years on the Boards of Directors for the YWCA, Hamilton’s Catholic Youth Organization, and the Alternatives for Youth service providing mental health and substance abuse support for young people in Hamilton. Presently, Joanne is a member of the Board of Directors for Villa Italia Retirement Residence, where she has served since 2012.

Areas of Law

• Family Law