Our Team

Michael Stangarone

Michael Stangarone  B.A. (Hons), LL.B.

Partner

416-507-2645 - Call

mstangarone@mpllp.com

Michael Stangarone is a partner at MacDonald & Partners LLP, where he has practiced exclusively in the area of family law since 2005. He was called to the Ontario Bar after earning his LLB at the University of Western Ontario. He regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal, and has developed an expertise in cases involving international child abduction.

  • READ MORE

    Michael’s practice includes all areas of family law including complex property and support matters, inter-jurisdictional support and custody/access issues, international abduction (Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention) cases, mobility issues, appeals, and custody and access disputes. He has authored numerous articles for legal education programs and various publications, and is a popular speaker at legal education programs. Michael is a contributing author to the books written by MacDonald & Partners LLP, including Handling a Family Law Matter and Family Law Arbitration in Canada, and he has been quoted in various family law articles including in The Lawyers Daily, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, The Law Times and Toronto Sun. Michael is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. He has argued cases in the New Brunswick Court of Appeal and The Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba.

  • NAMED ONE OF TORONTO'S BEST LAWYERS

    I am honoured to have been named one of Post City & Streets Of Toronto’s Best Lawyers for 2023! 


    Check out the November issue in print and online or see my listing here: https://www.streetsoftoronto.com/top-lawyers

Toronto Star

Michael Stangarone featured in the Toronto Star

June 8, 2023

Financial Post logo

Michael Stangarone court of appeal decision of Senthillmohan v. Senthillmohan discussed in the Financial Post

July 5, 2023

Michael Strangarone photo

MICHAEL

STANGARONE

We are pleased to announce that our partner, Michael Stangarone, will be presenting at the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) Annual Meeting, USA and Canadian Chapters Meeting in Santiago, Chile on September 8, 2023 on the intersection of Child Abduction cases under the International Hague Convention and Asylum/Refugee Cases


IAFL Annual Meeting, USA and Canadian Chapters Meeting Santiago, Chile, 6-10 September 2023

IAFL - International Academy of Family Lawyers logo

Michael's Team

Tanille Jordan, Senior Law Clerk
tjordan@mpllp.com


Chrissy Warren, Legal Assistant
cwarren@mpllp.co
m


Aria MacEachern, Associate
amaceachern@mpllp.com


Tiffany Guo, Associate
tguo@mpllp.com


Kira Beck, Associate

kbeck@mpllp.com


Michael's blog
  • Experienced Family Law Lawyer

    Michael Stangarone is a Family Law lawyer and passionate advocate for justice and fairness for families and Family Law litigants.


    • Joined MacDonald & Partners LLP as an associate in 2005 and became a partner in 2011
    • Called to the Ontario Bar after earning his LLB at the University of Western Ontario, and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, with distinction
    • Practice includes all areas of family law including complex property and support matters, inter-jurisdictional support and custody/access issues, international abduction (Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention) cases, mobility issues, appeals, and custody and access disputes
    • Strong and leading litigator and advocate at all levels of Court in Ontario with many reported decisions
    • Specific expertise in the area of international child abduction involving Hague and non-Hague Convention countries, with many reported decisions in this area including but not limited to Geliedan v. Rawdah, Balev v. Baggott, Vantriet v. Ogutu, Singh v. Ramotar, Usmani v. Hassan, and Daji v. AlNaser
    • Effective, strong and reasonable negotiator, invoking alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, (mediation and mediation/arbitration) to reach successful resolution of complex Family Law matters
    • Michael has been recognized by his peers as a leading Family Law Practitioner and has been awarded as a 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Ranked Lawyer
    • Was recently voted by his peers at the bar to the 2021, 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada
  • Passionate Advocate

    • Regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal, and has developed an expertise in cases involving international child abduction
    • Author of numerous articles for legal education programs and various publications
    • Presented on the issue of International Child Abduction under the Hague Convention
    • Has authored numerous articles for legal education programs and various publications and is a contributing author to the books written by MacDonald & Partners LLP, including Handling a Family Law Matter and Family Law Arbitration in Canada
    • Member of the Law Society of Ontario, Advocates' Society, Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association
  • Past Cases (2016 and earlier)

    Past Cases

    • Balev v. Baggott, 2016 ONSC 841 (S.C.J)
    • Balev v. Baggott, 2016 ONSC 55 (S.C.J)
    • Barber v. Magee, 2016 CarswellOnt 8923 (O.N.C.A)
    • Goetschel v. Goetschel, 2016 ONSC 400 (S.C.J)
    • Goetschel v. Goetschel, 2016 ONSC 4088 (S.C J)
    • Korn v. Korn, 2016 ONSC 241 (S.C.J)
    • Ma v. Chao, 2016 ONSC 585 (S.C.J)
    • McClintock v. Karam, 2016 ONSC 6986 (S.C.J)
    • Petit v. Petit, 2016 ONSC 1566 (S.C.J)
    • Petit v. Petit, 2016 ONSC 849 (S.C.J)
    • Shishkin v. Shishkin, 2016 ONSC 3771 (S.C.J)
    • Sine v. Bannister, 2016 ONSC 7750 (S.C.J)
    • Usmani v. Hassan, 2016 ONSC 6453 (S.C.J)
    • Barber v. Magee, 2015 ONSC 8054 (S.C.J)
    • McClintock v. Karam, 2015 ONSC 1024 (S.C.J)
    • Nowacki v. Nowacki, 2015 CarswellOnt 10462 (O.N.C.A)
    • Tadayon v. Mohtashami, 2015 ONCA 777 (O.N.C.A)
    • Howard v. Martin, 2014 ONCA 309 (O.N.C.A)
    • Ignjatov v. Di Lauro, 2014 ONSC 7362 (S.C.J)
    • Ignjatov v. Di Lauro, 2014 ONSC 4228 (S.C.J)
    • McSkimming v. Schmuck, 2014 CarswellOnt 8435 (S.C.J)
    • Nowacki v. Nowacki, 2015 ONSC 973 (S.C.J)
    • Balsmeier v. Balsmeier, 2014 ONSC 5305 (S.C.J)
    • Hastings v. Deakin, 2014 ONCJ 618 (O.C.J)
    • Stetco v. Stetco, 2014 ONCA 370 (O.N.C.A)
    • Valettas v. Chrissanthakopoulos, 2014 ONSC 5962 (S.C.J)
    • Barber v. Magee, 2013 ONCJ 552 (O.C.J)
    • Ciarlariello v. Iuele-Ciarlariello, 2013 ONSC 1455 (S.C.J)
    • Freeman v. Freeman, 2013 ONSC 5756 (S.C.J)
    • Freeman v. Freeman, 2013 ONSC 4934 (S.C.J)
    • Loeb v. Loeb, 2013 ONSC 1730 (S.C.J)
    • Quazi v. Bhuiyan, 2013 ONSC 5442 (S.C.J)
    • Quazi v. Bhuiyan, 2013 ONSC 1738 (S.C.J)
    • Service v. Service, 2013 ONSC 2002 (S.C. J)
    • Valettas v. Chrissanthakopoulos, 2013 ONSC 4936 (S.C.J)
    • Valettas v. Chrissanthakopoulos, 2013 ONSC 6517 (S.C.J)
    • Ciarlariello v. Iuele-Ciarlariello, 2012 ONSC 6636 (S.C.J)
    • Younis v. Bar, 2012 ONSC 1945 (S.C.J)
    • Younis v. Bar, 2012 CarswellOnt 7151 (S.C.J)
    • Cole v. Cole, 2011 ONSC 4794 (S.C.J)
    • Gagne v. Gagne, 2011 ONCA 188 (O.N.C.A)
    • Ketelaars v. Ketelaars, 2011 ONCA 349 (O.N.C.A)
    • Peters v. Smith, 2011 ONSC 4255 (S.C.J)
    • Service v. Service, 2011 ONSC 6911 (S.C.J)
    • Service v. Service, 2011 ONSC 4900 (S.C.J)
    • Abib v. Abib, 2010 ONCA 827 (O.N.C.A)
    • Abib v. Abib, 2010 ONSC 5869 (S.C.J)
    • Azougarh v. Maliakkal, 2010 ONCJ 610 (O.C.J)
    • Covriga v. Covriga, 2010 ONSC 3030 (S.C.J)
    • May-Iannizzi v. Iannizzi, 2010 ONCA 519 (O.N.C.A)
    • McLean v. Danicic, 2010 ONCA 22 (O.N.C.A)
    • Pustai v. Pustai, 2010 ONCA 251 (O.N.C.A)
    • Yelavich v. Yelavich, 2010 CarswellOnt 5460 (S.C.J)
    • Yelavich v. Yelavich, 2010 ONSC 3357 (S.C.J)
    • Bessner v. Cairns, 2009 CarswellOnt 7213 (S.C.J)
    • Covriga v. Covriga, 2009 CarswellOnt 4718 (S.C.J)
    • Covriga v. Covriga, 2009 CarswellOnt 4709 (S.C.J)
    • McLean v. Danicic, 2009 CarswellOnt 3289 (S.C.J)
    • Pavon v. Flores, 2009 CarswellOnt 1297 (S.C.J)
    • Jessop v. Wright, 2008 ONCA 673 (O.N.C.A)
    • Potyrala v. Potyrala, 2008 CarswellOnt 32 (S.C.J)
    • Potyrala v. Potyrala, 2008 CarswellOnt 6087 (S.C.J)
    • Foran v. Foran, 2007 CarswellOnt 2091 (S.C.J)
    • Potyrala v. Potyrala, 2007 CarswellOnt 6589 (S.C.J)

    More Testimonials

        “You guys made me feel confident and comfortable from the beginning and have been there through thick and thin ever since. I hope you all realize the difference you have made in our lives and what you saved my children from. I hope you guys take time to reflect sometimes about your work and what you do.”

        “Michael, you have given me great advice over the past couple years! Thank you I’m very happy with the results.”

        “Thank you so much, Micheal! You guys made me feel confident and comfortable from the beginning and have been there through thick and thin ever since.“

        “Dear Michael, I must admit, I totally doubted our ability to reach an agreement without a judge's decision today, even with all the risks involved. But here we are, thanks to your incredible efforts and the dedicated work of your incredible teams. I'm overwhelmed by the gift you've given him, myself, his brothers, and our entire family. You've changed the trajectory of his life and ours, ensuring he spends more time with a family that deeply loves him and who wants more of him. I'm certain he'd be thanking you too, if he understood the enormous impact of your work. This is the stepping stone toward May Please accept my deepest thanks and heartfelt appreciation.”

        "Special thanks to Michael - I was very impressed with your cross-examination and “closing arguments”. You and your team were well prepared and I felt like you defended me to the best of your abilities. No stone unturned."

        “Michael thank you I really appreciate everything you guys have done for myself and my children. Your team is outstanding!”

        "Many thanks, Michael. I'm speechless. BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER! Thank you everyone for all your hard work on this. I am still processing the news..."

        “Just wanted to say thank you. I felt like you defended my case beautifully!”

        "Thank you to you and your team for the great work!"

        “I cannot believe this. I am so thankful. I am going to book a flight immediately and will be in touch with the details. I just cannot thank you and Kira enough!”

        "Thank you and Julia for your excellent Work today! I appreciate it! "

        "Very kind lawyer, I must congratulate you on your speech in today's hearing, I saw E very happy with his perfect presentation of the facts, he understood that he needed you and your great professionalism and experience. I realize that we are not at the end yet but I am sure that you will do everything possible so that E can see the girls again and find her serenity again. For the first time after a whole year E smiled again today he saw a glimmer of light and this is thanks to her. Thank you infinitely and I send you my most cordial greetings."

        "Hello Michael, you did an amazing job!"

        “Incredible result Michael and team! I knew Tamra would be in great hands with you guys.”

        "Michael, Aria, thank you so much! Also to everyone assisting you for the motion."

        “Thank you so much for your time and work. Your team helped me through a really tough time and I’m very grateful for your help. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

        “Thank you so so much for resolving this matter for me. Your expertise in the field definitely played a big role to get a quick result ever since my case was transferred to your office.”

        “Thank you all! I want to thank every single person who helped me throughout this process. Truly appreciate your support!”

        "I like the firm’s professional tone. You have a tough job. Just want to make sure you guys know how grateful I am to have you on my side. :)"

        "Thank you so very much, Michael. I would like to take up this opportunity to thank the whole team for their great hard work. I am truly grateful."

        "I’m lost for words and still in shock, I wanted to express my utmost gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for me, my children and my entire family. I have so much respect and love for what you all do as a profession to help people and families through their dark times. You’re all incredibly strong and do noble work. Forever in your debt. Thank you so much."

        "I'm still ecstatic over this!! I owe it all to you guys for your outstanding strategy, dedication and attention to detail. Thanks for your advocacy and hard work on all of this!!"

        "Thank you very much for sending that email to his lawyers! You and your team have been amazing to work with! I agree with Justice Bennett that you did an outstanding, incredible, amazing job! Especially considering the time constraints. I don’t know how you did it! Thank you kindly for your hard work and dedication to my case. I can’t thank you enough!"

        "I cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you did on this trial. Rarely or never do we see a result like this. You are an absolute superstar. I thank you!!"

        “Thank you Julie and Michael, so much for your help and support again today. I am super relieved to be done with being on the stand!  I am so grateful and blessed to have an incredible team! I can see how hard you both are working to help me. Thank you for everything!”

        “I cannot begin to thank you, Meghann and your amazing team enough for all the endless help, guidance and support throughout this entire process.  You guys have been truly amazing.”

        "Thank you, guys! I am so grateful for your never-ending competence, patience, expertise, and material support of my family. Going to raise a glass tonight in honour of you both."

        "Thank you to all of you, I don’t think I have ever been happier, well except for when the kids were born.  You guys were great, I truly appreciate all you’ve done so far."

        "Thank you so much for all your hard work over the last few days. I had never been in court before and that was very fascinating. I’m so impressed. I was so nervous but it was handled and approached so well."

        "Thank you very much Michael. I really appreciate it . It has been a pleasure to work with you. I wish you all the best. Many blessing to you in Life. Stay safe and well Thank you.!"

        "Thanks for the great help Aria and Team. I will be very thankful to all of you for this great act of kindness."

        "I cannot thank you and everyone enough for helping me to get my daughter back."

        "Absolutely, we are elated. The truth finally comes out. All smiles!"

        "Thank you so much for all you have done for me Michael! Having you in my corner was the best decision I made."

        "I appreciate that you have taken extra time for this extended hearing. First and foremost thank you from the bottom of my heart. You did a fab job given the circumstances. You were the team to go with and bring it home. Thank you."

        "This is amazing, I have so much appreciation for you guys and what you do."

        "Thank you so much Michael. We both cried today… Happy tears! Thank you."

        "Thank you Meghann, Michael and the team for the great job done. I am very satisfied with this resolution. My rights get protected the most. I really appreciate it."

        "Thank you so very much for everything that you and Meghann did today and in the lead up. I think that the judge was very fair. So Happy!"

        "Hey Meghann and Michael. Thank you so much for all that you have done and did for this motion to go the way it did today I I feel pretty good about what has happened. Thanks so much."

        "I wanted to thank you for today. You did an amazing job and I feel a bit normal for the first time in over 2 years Thank you,very appreciated."

        "Thank you! We are bereft of words. The children are exceptionally beautiful and seem very happy right now. Can’t put into words this miracle that you made happen. Forever and even more we are all grateful."

        "I would like to thank you for all your outstanding work. I was talking to D today and she read to me what M&P LLP has produced in response and I must say it is brilliant. Thank you again."

        "Dear Michael and Stephen. I continue to replay yesterday in my head and I am increasingly satisfied that it was a great and unequivocal win. You guys were truly fantastic in extracting the truth."

        "Thank you Michael. You do more good that you could ever know. I also want to let you know that Stephen is an excellent Lawyer and as a person. I feel very lucky to be working with both of you."

        "Congratulations to you all on the successful outcome. We had never been in a situation like this before and despite the overwhelming feeling throughout. You and your entire amazing team showed a truly high level of professionalism and grit which helped keep us leveled on what would otherwise be a very emotional and angry process. It has been an adventure and we are glad that we chose you to help us through it."

        "THANK YOU for your calming presence on our calls and for your solid expertise in these legal matters. It has made all the difference. I know this is all in a day’s work for you,but I just want to know that I appreciate your efforts."

        "This is wonderful news. Thank you again to you and your whole team. I know this was not easy and in the end honesty and hard work prevailed. I will always be indebted to all of you and will forever be grateful that my kids and I will never have to worry."

        "I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work, I appreciate how quickly you were able to settle this matter for me. You accomplished more in a few short weeks than my previous lawyer did in over a year. I hope that I’ll never need your services in the future but if I’m ever bamboozled again you’ll be my first call. I’m also in the “divorce demographic” so don’t be surprised to get a few referrals from me going forward. Thanks again."

        "Thank you all so much for the time and attention you provided in helping corral this divorce into a final settlement. I’m so relieved to have this process done and over with and appreciate how focused and forward-thinking you all were. Stephen was particularly instrumental on that last day when I went in and expected nothing would be accomplished(on their end) and turned it all around. I was really impressed. Michael, you have an excellent team. Thank you again and if I can send any positive referrals or reviews your way please let me know. "

        "I wanted to just take a moment and thank you both for all the hard work you put into this trial. Your hard work has given the children and I a fighting chance at a future that they deserve to have. Whatever the outcome I will be eternally grateful that we had you both on our side. Thank you both and have a wonderful evening. Many thanks."

        "Words can’t express my gratitude in your expert work on my children’s behalf; but also for your incredible patience with me in truly my worst hours and under the most stressful circumstances. I thank you for standing by me and supporting me and negotiating what I believe is really a great settlement for the children."

Share by: