New associate joins legal team amid expansion due to Covid-19-related spike in divorce cases
Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers today announced that it has hired Alex De Melo as an associate lawyer amid an expansion due to a coronavirus-related spike in divorce cases.
“Family law can be one of the most personal and difficult areas of our profession, but Alex has shown that he can handle a wide range of cases,” said founder Russell Alexander. “We are excited to welcome him to the team.”
An experienced family lawyer, De Melo has worked as a legal counsel at Legal Aid Ontario, the Peel Children’s Aid Society and the Children’s Aid Society, handling difficult issues such as child abuse, spousal support and adoption since being called to the Ontario Bar in 2013.
After earning a degree from the University of Toronto, De Melo earned a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 2011, researching collaborative family law, family courts and children and the law, among other things.
He has also volunteered for organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters, working with children in difficult situations.
“With courts strained by the coronavirus pandemic and families feeling the stress of the last year, taking a collaborative approach to family law is more important than ever,” added Alexander.
“Alex’s background gives him unique insight into the struggles these families are going through.”