Ilana J. Miller

B.Sc. , D.C.S., LL.M. Law

Chartered Mediator | Arbitrator

Services Offered:

Divorce Mediator – Mediation | Chartered Mediator

Arbitration | Certified Arbitrator

Chartered & Accredited Family Mediator | Closed and open

Consultant to Counsel on Complex Family Law Matters

Voice of the Child Reports

Ilana Miller’s strengths include her extensive experience as a Chartered Mediator, Certified Arbitrator, and Parenting Coordinator, with over 25 years of expertise in family law and parenting decision-making. She specializes in creating tailored agreements for separating and divorcing parents.

Ilana brings deep expertise in navigating complex family dynamics, with a particular focus on addressing power imbalances and fostering child-centered solutions. Her approach is culturally attuned, pragmatic, and anchored in clear, actionable insights that support lasting, positive outcomes for families.

Proudly serving families across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, with designations that allow her to support clients throughout Ontario and across Canada.

Printable Version

Curriculum Vitae 2025

Education

 2020 - 2022

Master of Laws, LL.M. in Dispute Resolution 
Osgoode Hall Law School

Master’s Thesis: Game Theory and Negotiating Strategies as Viewed within the Scope of Family Law, supervised by Justice Todd Archibald, 2021

2001 - 2002

Extern Program, George Hull Centre, Family Therapy Program

George Hull Centre, Elizabeth Ridgely (Director) and Daniel Bogue (Faculty)

1991 - 1993

Master’s Level Degree in Child Psychology, Assessment, and Counselling; Institute of Child Study, (subsumed under OISE)

University of Toronto

1986 - 1990

Honors Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Linguistics, University of Toronto

Services Offered [hyperlinks]:

Divorce Mediator – Mediation — Chartered Mediator

Arbitration — Certified Arbitrator

Chartered & Accredited Family Mediator | Closed and open

Consultant to Counsel on Complex Family Law Matters

Voice of the Child Reports

Designations | Certifications

• Chartered Mediator, ADRIC, Highest Conferred Designation for mediators in Canada
• Accredited Family Mediator with OAFM
• Certified Specialist in Family Arbitration, FDRP. Arb
• Certified Specialist in Parenting Coordination, FDRP. PC [Canada’s only professional accreditation for Parenting Coordinators.]
• One of a select few in Ontario who holds all three designations in Mediation, Arbitration and Parenting Coordination.
• Accredited Family Law Neutral in Collaborative Law - Advanced Level II

Focus of Practice

• Chartered & Accredited Family Mediator, Certified Arbitrator & Parenting Coordinator
• Mediating Closed and Open comprehensive Agreements
• Arbitrations by Brief or by way of Med/Arb
• Child-Inclusive Mediations
• Trained in Collaborative Family Law, Neutral Family Professional- Advanced Level II 
• Conducting s.30 Forensic Evaluations
• Voice of the Child Reports
• Consulting to lawyers on complex Family Law Matters

Professional Experience

Chartered & Accredited Mediator, Arbitrator and Consultant 

Miller Mediation & Arbitration 

2002 – Present, Private Practice

Toronto, Ontario

• Provides consultation to individuals and parents who are dealing with parenting decision making responsibilities and parenting time (formerly termed custody and access) matters and other related issues pertaining to separation and divorce.
• Mediates agreements - by way of Mediation or by way of Med-Arb process- Primary Mediation & Arbitration.
• Provides closed or open mediation.
• Provides Child Inclusive Mediation.
• Arbitration by Brief or by way of Med/Arb.
• Provides Parenting Coordination which includes education, mediation, and arbitration.
• Conducts Voice of the Child Reports, Views & Preferences Report.
• Completes Section 30 {s.30 under the CLRA -Child and Law Reform Act} forensic parenting plan evaluator, parenting plan recommendations within Best Interests under the purview of the Family Court, Superior Court of Justice.
• Collaborative Family Professional who works within Collaborative Family Law model, assisting counsel to develop agreements and helping manage the process between counsel and their respective clients.
• Provides consultation and problem solving to parents around separation and divorce issues.
• Provides consultation to counsel regarding family law cases preparing for trial or seeking options of settlement by way of assisting with the final Offer to Settle.

Professional Experience (continued)

Panel Clinical Investigator

2002-2016 (Specialty Cases)
Office of the Children’s Lawyer, Branch of the Attorney General, Toronto, Ontario

• Responsible for conducting full and focused investigations and reports pursuant to s. 112 of the Courts of Justice Act for proceedings before the court in custody/access cases.
• Aided counsel representing children pursuant to s. 89(3.1).
• Responsible for assessing and advocating for the best interest of the children.
• Evaluated capacity of parents to meet the children’s needs and interests.
• Provided recommendations on all matters concerning custody and access.
• Assisted parties to resolve their dispute where applicable with disclosure and settlement initiatives.
• Provided Expert Testimony for custody and access proceedings in Family Court.

Memberships | Affiliations (continued)

• Peer consultation with Dr. Barbara Fidler, on Custody and Access matters and Parenting Coordination, as well as High Conflict families (monthly meetings), 2007 – 2017
• Member of FDRIO, since 2014 to present
• Board Member, Director at Large, with FDRIO, 2017 – 2018.
• Member of the High Conflict Forum, monthly meeting, 2007 – 2016
• Gold sponsor for a two-day FDRIO conference for family lawyers, judges, and law students. March 13 – 14, 2014

Lectures and other Media Involvement

• Globe and Mail Interviewed and quoted, in Coronavirus’ Pandemic adds Complexity to Parental-Access Battles, regarding COVID-19 implications in family law matters pertaining to mediation and parenting coordination, April 5, 2020.
• Ilana Miller interviewed by Family Lawyer, AJ Jakubowska – How to Talk to Kids About Separation, Mediator, PC Coordination, July 21, 2020.
• Guest Speaker on Live YouTube show Ask Andrew Show, with Andrew Feldstein regarding custody and access, mediation and parenting coordinator, June 21, 2018.
• On planning committee for Collaborative Practice Toronto Retreat for February 21, 2019.
• Co-Panelist along with Justice Jayne Hughes, Justice Paul Nicholson, Tom Hamer, and Bev LeMay, October 25, 2017. High Conflict Cases- Contrast Approaches within Litigation and Collaborative Model.
• Co-presented on Professional Conduct and Ethics with Jim Fitch, Family Lawyer & Mediator, for FDRIO members, August 23, 2017.
• Guest speaker on Straight Talk Radio, Family Law Radio, on Family Court Is Nowhere to Fight Your Battles, July 27, 2017.
• Co-Authored article with family lawyer, Dani Frodis, for the prestigious Jewish Review: Marriage: The End of the Story or the Beginning (Spring 2015).
• Co-Authored article with family lawyer, Dani Frodis, for the Jewish Review: From Tender Years to Father’s Rights: The changing Landscape of Child Custody Disputes in Ontario, October 2016.
• Lectured to Bar and Bench in Israel for 2011 and 2012 on PC and Voice of the Child.
• Initiated the High Conflict Forum with the Family Court Justice Philip Marcus, Jerusalem, Israel, 2011, 2012.
• Presented with OACCPP President’s Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service from the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrist and Psychotherapists, November 7, 2009.
• Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the OACCPP, 2007 – 2010.
• Director at large of the Association of OACCPP, 2006 – 2010.
• Board member on the Ethics and Governance and Risk Management sub-committees, 2006 – 2010.
• Member of Advisory Committee to Supervised Access Programs of York and Peel Regions, 2008 – 2013.
• Initiated peer support group for panel members for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, 2002 – 2011.
• Contributing segments to GLOW, Canada’s Beauty and Health Magazine, on parenting issues, December 2006, May 2007, March 2009, and May 2010.

Advanced Courses

• Arbitration course with Mr. Philip Epstein, Toronto 2014 (Full Day).
• Advanced legal research, Secondary Sources, WestLaw, Lexis Nexis - Advanced Quick Law, Citations, through Osgoode Hall, (one-hour each) May 3, May 5, May 6, May 7, 2021.
• Voice of the Child, through OAFM, Brian Burke from Epstein Cole, January 29, 2020.
• Proposed changes to the Divorce Act and the importance of Domestic Violence Screening when couples separate by FDRIO, with Lorne Wolfson and Hilary Linton, July 10, 2018.
• The Missing Piece, Child Resistant or Parent Rejection, with Justice Mackinnon and Dr. Drozd, May 2016, Full Day Seminar.
• Domestic Violence and Power Imbalances Training with OCL, Spring 2015 (Full Day).
• Mr. Jon Graham, guest lecturer through AFCC, regarding Australia’s new initiatives in Family Law, February 2015.
• Facing the Future: Challenges for the Children’s Lawyer: Child development. Dr. Jean Clinton, psychiatrist, guest speaker, April 27th, 2010.
• Make Room for Daddy: Clinical and Legal Challenges for Fathers in the Family Justice System: Attachment. Principal Speaker Diane Benoit, M.D., FRCPC. April 6th, 2011.
• Guest Lecturer for Hillary Linton, Riverdale Mediation, at “Screening for Power Imbalances including Domestic Violence in Family Mediation and Arbitration”, October 2010 and April 2011.
• AFCC Ontario Chapter Second Annual Conference, the Future of Family Law, October 15 and 16, 2010. Attended workshops: Children’s Statements, Assessment Practice Issues and Risk Management, The Future of Mediation and Arbitration, The Family Law Rules, what is ‘normal’ in Custody and Access: Should there be presumptions (of Joint Custody)?
• New Ways for Families: Advanced Training”, full day workshop, William A. Eddy, LCSW, Esq., April 29th, 2010.
• “It’s all your Fault! Managing High Conflict People within a Legal and Clinical Context”, full day symposium, William A. Eddy, LCSW, Esq., April 28th, 2010.
• Improving Your Interviews with Children, Interviewing about Preferences, Domestic Violence and Alienation and Estrangement, a full day workshop, Mindy F. Mitnick, Ed. M., M.A., Licensed Psychologist, Minneapolis, May 2009.
• How Family Conflict Affects the Developing Brain, Dr. Jean Clinton, Psychiatrist, AFCC Ontario Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
• Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court, Mr. Justice Harvey Brownstone, AFCC Ontario Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
• Improving the lives of Children and Families in Conflict, AFCC Ontario Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
• “Smoke Screen or Fire?”, Allegations of Domestic Violence and Child Sexual Abuse in High Conflict Divorcing Families, A Symposium for Mental, Legal, and Child Welfare Professionals Struggling to Create Greater Collaboration, Peter G. Jaffe, Ph. D., C. Psych., University of Western Ontario, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women & Children and Mindy F. Mitnick, Ed. M., M.A., Licensed Psychologist, Minneapolis, full day symposium, November 2008.
• Completed 30-hour course in Family Law of Ontario, with Hilary Linton, LL.B., LL.M., Acc. FM., Lawyer, Arbitrator, May 2008 (3 days).
• High Conflict Divorcing Families: Practical Strategies to Prevent Alienation, A Symposium for Mental Health and Legal Professionals, Matthew J. Sullivan Ph.D., November 9, 2007.
• Parenting Coordination: Part II Advanced Applications, Dr. Barbara Fidler, Ph.D., Acc. FM and Linda Chodos, MSW, RSW (full day), October 20, 2007.

Advanced Courses | (continued)

• Parenting Coordination: Part I Foundation of Parenting Coordination, Dr. Barbara Fidler, Ph.D., Acc. FM, Linda Chodos, MSW, RSW (full day), October 19, 2007
• Parenting Coordination: Overview of Family Law (3-hour seminar), Hilary Linton, LL.B. (ADR), October 18, 2007.
• Divorce and Children’s Adjustment, Current Research and Implications for Practice, Joan Kelly, Ph.D., April 16, 2007 (full day)
• Divorce Poison, Clinical and Legal Considerations, working with Families of Alienated Children, Richard Warshak, Ph.D. and Panel Discussion to Follow, April 26, 2006 (Full day).
• Symposium. Working with High Conflict Families of Separation and Divorce: Best Practice Approaches for Professionals, April 6 & 7, 2005.
• Jerome Price, M.A., Working Strategically with OCL (Office of the Children’s Lawyer) Clients, November 5, 2004.
• Jerome Price, M.A., Caught in the Crossfire: Strategic Approaches with High Conflict Families, November 4, 2004.
• Jay Pryor, Ph.D., C. Psych. One-day workshop. Supporting Children and Parents Through Family Change, November 2003 (one-day workshop).

Additional Training

• Certification with FDRIO, Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario, 2017. One of a very few in Ontario whom holds all three certifications in Mediation, Arbitration and Parenting Coordination with FDRIO.
• OACCPP Annual Conference, Panel Discussion on Strategic Private Practice Development, November 5, 2009.