Our Firm

Family Law Mission

It is our mission at JMS Law to understand and assist, inspire and empower our clients when they are in transition; and collaborate with solutions-focused clients to help them achieve their goals. We offer efficient and stress-free real estate, wills and estates, family law and mediation services.

We support the changes that our clients make to help them establish new lives, new neighbourhoods or new beginnings.

About Us

Our caring, authentic and highly competent legal and support team treat each client with respect, compassion and empathy, educating them on how to achieve their goals through peaceful resolution and healing.

We are evolving a forward-looking standard for family law and mediation that is resolution-focused and based on individual needs.

Serving Cottage Country, Simcoe County and the GTA, including; Barrie, Orillia, Huntsville, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Innisfil, Bradford, Newmarket, Aurora, and Toronto.

Meet the JMS Law Team

Rose Pellar
Rose Pellar
B.A.S., LL.B.

Rose became a lawyer in 1997 and brings with her a wealth of family law experience to the practice. Rose operated her own law practice in Toronto from 1997 to 2000 with a primary focus on Family Law. She was also an Associate Lawyer in the Family Law Division of Oatley, Purser in Barrie. Later, she maintained a very busy practice for approximately four years as an associate lawyer at the firm of McGee & Fryer (family lawyers) in Unionville. In July 2005 she joined Galbraith Family Law as an associate lawyer in Barrie, servicing a huge family law clientele. In October 2006, she created Pellar Family Law and after 15 years at Pellar Family Law she has opted to join JMS Law in September 2021. Rose indicates that the mission of JMS Law dovetails very nicely with her own philosophy of helping clients.

Rose is a certified Collaborative Family Law Lawyer and was a founding member and a Director of the York Collaborative Practice Group. She is a current member of the Simcoe County Collaborative Practice. Rose relates exceptionally well to her clients because (in her own words) she’s “been there”. Rose was divorced and has happily re-married in 2006. Rose knows only too well the emotional toll of separation and the importance of resolving the issues quickly and cost-effectively. Rose ensures however that her clients make well informed decisions. She makes a point to remind them that one day they will feel less emotional and could feel differently about the decisions they have made.

Rose believes in being involved in her Community. She has served on the Board of Directors for New Directions in Toronto, and for the Unionville Home Society in Markham, as well as for a Condominium Corporation in Richmond Hill. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Wasaga Society for the Arts. In addition, many years ago when her sons were in Cubs and Beavers, she served on the group committee for a local Scouts Canada Group as a member of the committee and later as Vice-Chair and Chair. Rose participated in the first ever 60km Breast Cancer Walk in 2003 and personally raised approximately $4,000 for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. She also participated in the “Stop Violence Against Women” walk in Wasaga Beach in Summer 2006. Rose was a co-facilitator for 9 years for a Divorce Recovery (9 week) Workshop twice yearly through the Mapleview Community Church in Barrie. She has also run the same workshop for the Lighthouse Community Church in Wasaga Beach.

In June 2009 she participated in a Habitat for Humanity build in Scarborough. Rose receives a lot of satisfaction from seeing the difference she has made, and continues to make in the lives of others through her practice and her volunteer work.

Rose was a contributing writer for the Women With Vision magazine for a number of years and she is the author of “A Gift in Every Challenge” (a part memoir/part inspirational book about her mother for whom divorce was not an option and about herself for whom divorce was the only option).

Having a passion for impacting lives in a positive way, she is coaching women experiencing divorce to get through and beyond their divorce.

Family Law and Real Estate Lawyers
Dr. Brett Degoldi

Brett Degoldi now has over 20 years experience working with separating couples and families. He has extensive experience settling separations and divorces out of court. His whole practice focuses on streamlined and efficient outcomes for families.

With a background in psychology and law, he trained the first psychologists in Australia to work in the field of family law, as parenting coaches and divorce coaches.

He has been at the forefront of family law practice and reform of family law in Canada and Australia, having been invited to advise governments on law reform in both countries.

Dr Degoldi trained the first multi-disciplinary teams of professionals in collaborative law in Australia and produced a world first graduate research thesis on collaborative practice at UBC, Vancouver, Canada, (LLM ’07). He has also worked as an early Dispute Resolution Officer in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, as a founder of the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, and as the founder of the early triage/intake process called Early Neutral Consultation (ENC).

He has a fulltime law practice focused on empowerment for families. At JMS Law he offers our unique process of Awakened Family Law, including the following services:

  • drafting and signing separation agreements, parenting agreements and domestic contracts (100% out-of-court);
  • Early Neutral Consultation and Mediation for couples who want information first, so they can be empowered to stay out of court and make decisions in the best interest of their families;
  • drafting court documents on unbundled services retainers (for people who are self-represented in court and who may need help with drafting court documents and preparing/coaching for going to court; for families who are watching their budget and are forced into court.

    • Dr Degoldi is compassionate lawyer and understands that there are major problems with delays and injustices in the family justice system. He believes that with Information First most families can be empowered and awakened to make the sensible decision to stay out of court and resolve the separation and divorce efficiently and smoothly. We will help you design the smoothest, most efficient process for your separation and divorce. A new Awakened Approach to Family Law.

Family Law and Real Estate Lawyers
Moyo Adekusibe

Moyo is a seasoned real estate lawyer with over 10 years of experience in the field. Well-versed in both commercial and residential real estate transactions, Moyo has a comprehensive understanding of real estate law and has completed a variety of real estate transactions, including but not limited to new build purchase transactions, construction loans, private mortgages, severance applications, mortgage refinances, applications to retrieve forfeited properties, and standard residential resale purchase and sale transactions.

In addition to completing diverse real estate transactions, Moyo is also experienced with reviewing real estate-related documents such as Pre-Construction Agreements of Purchase and Sale, Condominium Status Certificates, and Mortgage Commitments. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and a client-centered approach, Moyo has successfully guided numerous clients through the complex legal landscapes of real estate law, ensuring smooth and legally sound transactions. Moyo is committed to providing expert legal counsel and achieving the best possible outcomes for every client.

Moyo has a Honours Degree in Political Science from York University and a degree in Law from the University of Birmingham and he is a member of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers. Moyo and his wife are proud parents to their two boys, and when not in the office, Moyo can usually be found spending quality time with his family, playing drums, or engaging in sports, particularly soccer or basketball.

Cindy Vair
Cindy Vair
Real Estate Clerk

Cindy started her legal journey in 1985, working as a receptionist for a Barrie Law Firm. Within 3 years Cindy quickly moved her way up to junior then senior legal assistant specializing in real estate law. She went back to school, taking night courses which included Conveyancing Law and Procedures, Title searching 1 and 2, while still working at the law firm. Cindy started her own business in 1992 under the name C.L.V. Legal Services Inc. and spent most of her time at the Registry Office conducting title searches and closing real estate deals.

With changes in Real Estate and the creation of Teraview, Cindy went back to school for 2 years in 2001 where she received an Honours Diploma from the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario in Real Estate Law, Wills and Estates, Corporate and Litigation. Cindy successfully built and ran her business, expanding her services to include all facets of Real Estate law to include document preparation as well as continuing to conduct title searches and closing transactions. In May 2022 Cindy decided to shut down her business and join the JMS Law team as the Head Real Estate Clerk. JMS Law is honoured to have someone of Cindy’s experience on our team to assist clients and train the up and coming team at JMS. Cindy is an avid golfer and enjoys yoga, fishing and going to see her favourite classic rock bands.

Magic
Magic

Magic was born in April 2019 to COPE Service Dogs. Her collar colour was yellow, giving her the nickname of Buttercup. Her official name Magic came from a wonderful sponsor whose husband has been an avid magician since youth. Magic has been with her foster and JMS since October 2019 as a service dog in training where she learned to sit through meetings and greet clients that come to the office. Magic has been integral in assisting clients going through a stressful transition in their lives by sitting with them or asking for a belly rub to lighten the mood.

In 2022 Magic gave birth to a litter of 9 healthy puppies who have gone on to assist in expanding COPE’s services to the Mississauga area. Magic Graduated in the fall of 2022 and still takes part in COPE’s “Canines in the Classroom” and “Reading Buddy” programs.

TESTIMONIALS

“Jillian, You recently spoke to a grassroots organization I belong to called Barrie Sandwich Generation on Planning of Wills and Estates. You put it into plain language and related to not only the Seniors in our lives but also how we can organize ourselves and out younger families…. I can also see the degree of dedication, knowledge, and support that you and the JMS Law team has on Family Law, specifically in Wills and Estates.”

Janet M
Real Estate, Family Law and Mediation Service
TESTIMONIALS

“HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!!
To some of the strongest Women I know – this day is for YOU!
Each of you have helped me get through some of the hardest days of my life – I truly appreciate all of your help and I wanted to take a minute to show my appreciation and what better day to do that then today!”

Jamie
Separation and Family Law Mediation Support
TESTIMONIALS

“My wife and I redid our wills and power of attorney with JMS. I would highly recommend them to anyone.”

– Rob Newman
Family Law and Real Estate Lawyers
TESTIMONIALS

“Their tagline is “an awakened approach to law” and it shows. A warm welcome and kind thoughtful lawyers are such a nice change from the norm. I send my clients here and they all say great things.”

– Tara Hannam
Separation Planning and Family Law Mediation Services
TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all for the amazing service when dealing with my divorce shenanigans! Wonderful customer service ????”

– Jacob Johnson
Cooperative Parenting and Family Law Firm
TESTIMONIALS

“We went with JMS for the sale and purchase of our home. They were lovely. Very efficient and quick.”

– Michelle Chen
Property Division and Family Law Lawyer Services