Julie Tyas

Lawyer/Principal

416-485-6769 ext. 1.

Julie loves people and has always been drawn to helping others with their problems. This is why she chose family law.

Julie is experienced in all aspects of family law, from straightforward matters to complex separations and divorce, involving property division, high-conflict parenting issues, child and spousal support, and domestic contracts (including both Cohabitation Agreements and Marriage Contracts).

Julie is responsive and approachable, and her objective is straightforward: guiding clients toward a much happier place in their lives - calmly, clearly, and as painlessly and cost-effectively as possible.

As a parent, Julie understands the value of offering perspective, flexibility, and encouragement to her clients. As a human being, she believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect, particularly in family law disputes, when people are at their most vulnerable.

Julie believes it is important for clients to realize that as difficult as family law issues may be, the process will come to an end. In striving for the optimal final resolution, Julie offers her clients the most effective and appropriate tools and techniques available, including the Collaborative Family Law process, Negotiation, Mediation, Mediation/Arbitration, or Court.

A strong advocate for her clients, Julie is committed to ensuring their interests are properly represented, while providing a high level of integrity, professionalism, and sensitivity throughout the process.

Outside of the office, Julie’s negotiating skills in family disputes are continuously honed between her three young boys. She welcomes life’s simple pleasures – downtime with family and friends, exploring new hiking trails and “occasionally” binge-watching murder series on Netflix.

Education

• B.A. (Hons) Psychology, 2003 – Wilfrid Laurier University

• LL.B., 2006 – University of Windsor

• Called to the Ontario Bar, 2007

Memberships & Affiliations

• Law Society of Ontario

• The Advocates' Society

• Canadian Bar Association

• Ontario Bar Association

Sophia Cripouris

Lawyer

416-485-6769 ext. 2

Sophia knew that she wanted to practice exclusively in family law after working as a caseworker at the York Region Supervised Access Centre. She has dedicated her career to the area of family law ever since, representing clients on all areas of family law, including parenting, property division, domestic contracts and complex financial matters. She is passionate about working with families and children, and supporting individuals as they navigate their family law matter. Sophia understands the emotional and legal complexities of family law, and approaches every matter with compassion, sensitivity and pragmatism.

During law school, Sophia completed a judicial clerkship at the Middlesex Probate and Family Court in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also volunteered as a Mandatory Information Program presenter with the Windsor Court while attending law school and worked as the team leader in the family group at the Windsor Community Legal Aid Clinic. Sophia was a participant in the Walsh Negotiation Competition in 2020 and placed second overall with her team in the Walsh Moot Competition in 2021.

Prior to joining Tyas Family Law PC, Sophia articled at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, where she obtained experience litigating various child protection and parenting disputes before the Ontario Court of Justice. She then worked as an associate at a prominent boutique family law firm in Toronto, where she gained extensive litigation experience and continued developing her advocacy skills.

Sophia continues to be involved with the Walsh competition as a coach for the Windsor Law Negotiation Competition team. She is passionate about mentoring and advancing the careers of students and young lawyers, especially when they share a passion for family law.

Outside of her law practice, Sophia enjoys all things health and wellness. She can be found taking a Pilates class at her sister and mom’s fitness studio in Markham, walking her Frenchie named Lola, spending quality time with family and friends, or planning her next dream travel itinerary.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, 2016 - Texas Christian University

• JD, 2021 - University of Windsor

• Called to the Ontario Bar, 2022

Memberships & Affiliations

• Law Society of Ontario

• Canadian Bar Association

• Ontario Bar Association

• The Advocates’ Society

Haya Sakakini

Lawyer

416-485-6769 ext. 3

Haya began her career advocating for human rights and social justice issues. She worked in the Middle East for three years prior to commencing her legal career, focusing on advocacy and lobbying initiatives, which aimed to raise awareness about complex human rights and international law issues.

Haya furthered her interest in social justice issues while attending law school at the University of British Columbia. There, Haya participated in a clinical term, wherein she assisted as a clinician at Rise Women’s Legal Centre, a legal clinic providing accessible legal services to self-identified women and gender diverse people. This experience confirmed Haya’s interest in family law.

Haya also won the Allan Falconer Memorial Student Essay competition in 2021 and, as a result, her paper about psychological violence in family law cases was published in the Canadian Journal of Family Law.

After her call to the Ontario bar in 2022, Haya dedicated her practice exclusively to family law. Haya represents clients in complex family law matters, ranging from high conflict parenting to property division, as well as domestic contracts. She represents clients in court as well as in alternative dispute processes, such as mediation and arbitration. Before joining Tyas Family Law PC, Haya articled and worked at a prominent boutique family law firm in Toronto where she gained invaluable skills and experience in advocacy and litigation.

Haya brings her unique lens from her previous career into her practice of family law, providing clients the expertise and understanding of the multifaceted issues they may be navigating, in a compassionate way.

Outside of her law practice, Haya can be found making her own body care products from natural ingredients, indulging in film photography, or exploring a new nook or body of water.

Education

• B.A. (Hons) Global Studies, 2015 - Wilfrid Laurier University

• J.D, 2021 - University of British Columbia

• Called to the Ontario Bar, 2022

Memberships & Affiliations

• Law Society of Ontario

• Canadian Bar Association

• Ontario Bar Association

• The Advocates’ Society

Daniela Catala

Law Clerk

416-446-6769 ext. 4

Education

• Paralegal Education Diploma, 2012 – Humber College

• B.A. (Hons) Health Studies with specialization in Health Policy, 2015 – York University

• Certificate in Project Management, 2020 – University of Toronto