---
title: "Our Firm ✦ Goldwater Droit"
meta:
  "og:description": "Goldwater Droit has shaped Quebec family law since 1981 through landmark family, constitutional, youth protection, estate, and animal law litigation."
  "og:title": "Our Firm"
  description: "Goldwater Droit has shaped Quebec family law since 1981 through landmark family, constitutional, youth protection, estate, and animal law litigation."
---

#### *Our Firm*

### Shaping Quebec Family Law Since 1981

###### When your family's future hangs in the balance, you need more than a lawyer. You need a legal force.

For over four decades, Goldwater Droit has transformed how Quebec approaches family law—securing landmark victories that protect families today and shape precedents for tomorrow.

#### *Our Landmark Cases*

### Milestones in Canadian Family Law

1991

###### *Parental Alienation Recognized*

[*J.-L.C. v. P.S.M., 1991 2974 (QC CA)*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qcca/doc/1991/1991canlii2974/1991canlii2974.html)

A father fought to maintain his relationship with a child who had been turned against him. The Court of Appeal became the first court in Quebec to recognize parental alienation—a framework courts still apply today.

1995

###### *Children Get Their Own Voice*

[*Droit de la famille - 2224, 1995 4607 (QC CA)*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qcca/doc/1995/1995canlii4607/1995canlii4607.html)

A child caught between warring parents won the right to independent legal counsel. The Court of Appeal confirmed that children are rights-holders, not just subjects of adult conflict.

2002

###### *Same-Sex Marriage*

[*Hendricks c. Québec (Procureur général), 2002 23808 (QC CS)*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2002/2002canlii23808/2002canlii23808.html)

Michael Hendricks and René Leboeuf wanted to marry. Quebec's Superior Court ruled they could—years before national legalization. The firm later received the SOGIC Ally Award for this work.

2003

###### *A Parent's Right to Know*

[*D.W. v. A.G., 2003 47442 (QC CA)*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qcca/doc/2003/2003canlii47442/2003canlii47442.html)

A non-custodial parent was being shut out of decisions about his child's health and education. The Court of Appeal held that parental authority survives separation—it cannot be unilaterally revoked.

2006

###### *Quebec's Largest Child Support Award*

[*A v. B, 2006 QCCS 2850*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2006/2006qccs2850/2006qccs2850.html)

Children of an exceptionally wealthy parent deserved support that reflected his means—not a formula designed for average incomes. The court agreed, setting a precedent for high-net-worth cases.

2007

###### *Religious Divorce and Civil Law*

[*Bruker v. Marcovitz, 2007 SCC 54*](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2007/2007scc54/2007scc54.html)

A woman waited 15 years for her husband to grant a Jewish divorce he'd promised in writing. The Supreme Court ruled he was liable—religious obligations can have civil consequences when incorporated into contracts.

2011

###### *Protecting Spouses with Disabilities*

[*L.M.P. v. L.S., 2011 SCC 64*](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2011/2011scc64/2011scc64.html)

A woman with multiple sclerosis faced termination of her support—despite no change in her condition. The Supreme Court ruled that support cannot be cut simply because time has passed. A nationwide victory for dependent spouses.

2013

###### *Eric v. Lola*

[*Quebec (Attorney General) v. A, 2013 SCC 5*](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2013/2013scc5/2013scc5.html)

A common-law mother of three sought the same financial protections as married spouses. The Court of Appeal agreed she faced unconstitutional discrimination. The Supreme Court confirmed the inequality—but narrowly upheld it as a "reasonable limit." The most divided SCC decision in years, and a turning point in Canadian family law.

2018

###### *Defending Reputation in the Digital Age*

[*Awada c. Magnan, 2018 QCCS 3023*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2018/2018qccs3023/2018qccs3023.html)

A young Muslim feminist was falsely linked to extremist groups during Quebec's Charter of Values debate. The court awarded $60,000, confirming that online platforms don't shield defamatory conduct.

2018

###### *Due Process for Pet Owners*

[*Auclair c. Ville de Montréal, 2018 QCCS 3937*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2018/2018qccs3937/2018qccs3937.html)

Three dogs faced immediate euthanasia after a park incident. The court overturned Montreal's order—the city gave owners no notice and no chance to respond. A precedent for procedural fairness when pets' lives are at stake.

2019

###### *Voiding a Will for Undue Influence*

[*Succession de Crispino, 2019 QCCS 5027*](https://www.canlii.org/en/qc/qccs/doc/2019/2019qccs5027/2019qccs5027.html)

A daughter wrote her mother's will herself—then inherited under it. The court voided it, finding the mother lacked capacity and was unduly influenced. Wills must reflect the testator's free intent, not a beneficiary's.

2020

###### *Parental Rights During the Pandemic*

[*Droit de la famille — 20621, 2020 QCCS 1397*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2020/2020qccs1397/2020qccs1397.html)

The DPJ suspended a mother's visits citing COVID-19 protocols. The court restored access—parental rights cannot be overridden without individualized justification, even in emergencies.

2021

###### *The Unpaid Business Partner*

[*Droit de la famille — 211804, 2021 QCCS 4085*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2021/2021qccs4085/2021qccs4085.html)

A woman spent years managing her husband's company without salary. Upon separation, the court recognized her contributions as a de facto partnership and awarded nearly $2 million.

2025

###### *Challenging Quebec's Unified Family Tribunal*

[*Goldwater c. Procureur général du Québec, 2025 QCCS 2057*](https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qccs/doc/2025/2025qccs2057/2025qccs2057.html)

A constitutional challenge to Quebec's transfer of family law matters from Superior Court to the provincially governed Court of Quebec. Now before the courts—testing the boundaries of provincial authority over judicial power

### From Solo Practice to Large Boutique

What began as a solo practice in 1981 has grown into one of Quebec's most influential family law litigation firms. Our record reflects that evolution.

We've handled eight-figure divorces, international custody battles, and high-profile estates—alongside families simply trying to protect what matters most.

##### 40+ Years

Defining Quebec family law Since 1981, shaping precedents that courts still cite today.

##### 20+ Lawyers

Across four practice areas Family law, youth protection, estate disputes, and animal & pet defence.

##### 500+ Decisions

Exposed in reported judgments Our cases appear in CanLII, SOQUIJ, and legal textbooks.

##### 100+ Appeals

At the Quebec Court of Appeal When trial courts get it wrong, we take it higher.

##### Thousands of Families

Protected through litigation and negotiation From urgent interventions to final judgments.

##### 15+ jurisdictions

Cross-border experience Coordinating with counsel from Toronto to Tel Aviv.

### Our Mission

#### Advocacy without compromise in life's most intimate disputes.

#### *Our Values*

### Our commitment to client success

![Passion icon](https://goldwaterdroit.com/_vercel/image?url=%2F_content-assets%2Fpages%2Four-firm%2Fimages%2Fpassion.png&w=640&q=80)

###### Passion

We seek out lawyers who lead with conviction—and train them to channel it.

![Compassion icon](https://goldwaterdroit.com/_vercel/image?url=%2F_content-assets%2Fpages%2Four-firm%2Fimages%2Fcompassion.png&w=640&q=80)

###### Compassion

Trust is the foundation. We build honest relationships and represent clients like we would a close friend.

![Tenacity icon](https://goldwaterdroit.com/_vercel/image?url=%2F_content-assets%2Fpages%2Four-firm%2Fimages%2Ftenacity.png&w=640&q=80)

###### Tenacity

Perpetually ready for trial, always open to resolution.

#### *Our Services*

### We provide courtroom advocacy and legal counsel in:

###### Meet Our Team

### The lawyers behind the landmark cases.

[**Our Team**](https://goldwaterdroit.com/en/our-team)

![Goldwater Droit Team](https://goldwaterdroit.com/_vercel/image?url=%2F_content-assets%2Fpages%2Four-firm%2Fimages%2FGD-Team.jpg&w=1024&q=80)