EDUCATION:

Ms. MacNaughton received an Honors B.A. from Trent University (1971) before obtaining an LL.B. Degree from Queen's University (1975).  She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1977, and continued her studies in Family Mediation with the School of Continuing Studies, and Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto (1983) and CDR Associates of Boulder, Colorado (1987).  She regularly attends continuing education in various aspects of Family Law and Family mediation.  In 2002, Ms. MacNaughton achieved certification as an Accredited Mediator from the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).

EXPERIENCE:

Ms. MacNaughton has practiced law in St. Catharines since 1977.  She is a former partner at Lancaster, Brooks & Welch, and has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Family Law for the past ten of twenty-five years of active practice.

Ms. MacNaughton was a member of the Niagara Dispute Resolution Group, when that organization was active.

From 1999 to 2002, Ms. MacNaughton was a member of the Centre for Family Mediation, which offered services through the Superior Court of Ontario, Family Court at St. Catharines.

Ms. MacNaughton has given many presentations to lawyers' associations and community groups on legal issues such as: Estate Planning; Child Support and Custody; Gay & Lesbian Legal Issues; Legal Aid; and Ethics in Mediation.  Ms. MacNaughton also has several publications to her credit, including a book on Custody/Access Assessments.

Currently, Ms. MacNaughton is on indefinite leave from Lancaster, Brooks and Welch LLP and is serving as the Area Director for Legal Aid Office at the St. Catharines office.

ASSOCIATIONS:

Member - Law Society of Upper Canada (1977-present)
Member - Ontario Official Guardian Child Representation Panel (1979-1995)
Member - Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (1983-present)
Member - Ontario Association for Family Mediation (1983-2002)
Member - Ontario College of Certified Social Workers, Discipline Committee (1985- 1995)
Member - Family Mediation Canada (1986-2002)

Member - Centre for Family Mediation (Superior Court of Ontario, Family Court at St. Catharines) (1999-2002)

Area Director - Legal Aid Office (St. Catharines) (2003-present)

AREAS OF LAW:

Family Law, Wills, and Estates