Featured Media Coverage – 2025
The Hamilton Spectator
No kiss cam at Oasis shows? Why that might not matter for Toronto fans having an affair | Russell Alexander | July 23
Quote of Note: “They may be posting it on social media. Even if it wasn’t the kiss cam, somebody could have posted the song on social media and they could have been part of that frame. So I think the takeaway is be mindful of privacy when you’re in public spaces.”
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InsideOttawaValley.com
No kiss cam at Oasis shows? Why that might not matter for Toronto fans having an affair | Russell Alexander | July 23
Quote of Note: “In a recent interview with Metroland, Russell Alexander said there’s no expectation of privacy if you’re in a large audience with someone other than your spouse. ‘You may think you’re anonymous because you’re among so many people, but everybody’s got a cellphone, everybody’s recording the concert — who knows,’ said Alexander.”
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Law 360 Canada
Navigating AI in legal practice: Responsibilities, risks and realities, part three | Russell Alexander | July 21
Quote of Note: “So far in this series of articles, we’ve covered some of the risks that arise when lawyers use AI. These include more general justice and institution wide concerns like bias, as well as more specific fears about how AI-generated ‘hallucinations’ in client documents and court-filed materials can impede justice.”
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NewsBreak
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s wife could find reconciliation ‘challenging,’ expert warns | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “The Canadian lawyer said finding out that your partner is cheating on you is ‘especially difficult’ when it happens ‘in a dramatic way.’ He added that when the betrayal goes public, it is even more challenging because of the worry that family and friends may judge a partner who decides to reconcile after an affair.”
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The Mirror US
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot ‘seen kissing’ in new Coldplay concert video | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Russell added that the people involved in the video probably never expected to be caught in this way, especially because they are not celebrities. He explained, ‘Celebrities have long been aware of the risk of fallout from a private mistake, but these two individuals were not public figures. No one would expect such attention. Though I’ve seen this happen on a smaller scale every week.'”
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MSN
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot ‘seen kissing’ in new Coldplay concert video | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Canadian family lawyer Russell Alexander said the viral clip shows the effects that social media can have on married couples. He added sites such as Facebook, X and Reddit have exposed everyday marriage problems to large audiences. According to the legal expert, finding out that your partner is cheating on you is ‘especially difficult’ when it happens ‘in a dramatic way’ and when the betrayal goes public, it can make it more difficult to reconcile.”
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880 CHED
Coldplay kiss cam footage as evidence | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Affairs are quite commonplace. Most of the time people suspect there is an affair. They may come across a text message or private post of some sort or a photograph, but this is really quite unusual.”
Listen to Interview
730 CFKNW: The Jas Johal Show
Coldplay kiss cam sparks drama: Can concert PDA become divorce court evidence? | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Yes, social media, video, facebook post, instagram post, all the content you put on social media can be attached to an affidavit and be used in a court proceeding.”
Listen to Interview
Weekly Voice
Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Viral Scandal, Raises Questions About Privacy and Professional Fallout | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Toronto-based family lawyer Russell Alexander weighed in on the fallout, noting that although the individuals were not public figures before, they’ve now become infamous. ‘This video was like a lightning strike. Their reaction made people assume guilt, and that’s why it spread so quickly,’ he said.”
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The Mirror US
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s wife could find reconciliation ‘challenging,’ expert warns | Russell Alexander | July 19
Quote of Note: “Now, Russell Alexander, an Amazon best-selling author of four books on separation and divorce, said the viral video – which appeared to expose an affair between Byron and Cabot – shows the effects that social media can have on married couples.”
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Law 360 Canada
Navigating AI in legal practice: Responsibilities, risks and realities, part two | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “We all know that AI has many upsides, and it’s taking the legal profession by storm. We also know that it must be used with caution.”
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Simcoe.com
Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral — here’s what a Toronto lawyer says about privacy in public | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “Alexander noted that while he’s not licensed to practice law in the United States, Ontario’s no-fault system of divorce means allegations of infidelity do not improve or diminish anyone’s rights in divorce proceedings.”
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OurWindsor.ca
Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral — here’s what a Toronto lawyer says about privacy in public | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “Alexander said the biggest takeaway from the viral video should be the realization that there can be no expectation of privacy in public, especially in a venue of 50,000 people. Even without the kiss cam, the apparent infidelity could have been captured by a cellphone and posted to social media.”
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The Peterborough Examiner
Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral — here’s what a Toronto lawyer says about privacy in public | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “‘Many times, when there’s some infidelity, people will work on the relationship and sometimes they reconcile successfully,’ said Alexander. ‘But I think just with the shock and awe of the reaction and the community that’s probably reaching out to these people … this would be hard for anybody to get over.'”
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TheIFP.ca
Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral — here’s what a Toronto lawyer says about privacy in public | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “Alexander said the pair’s apparent reaction of guilt helped the video spread like wildfire. ‘This video was like a lightning strike. The reaction was ‘oh my God, we’re caught,’’ said Alexander. If the people had simply waved to the camera or exchanged a high-five, the video may not have generated the same attention, Alexander added.”
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Inside Halton
Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral — here’s what a Toronto lawyer says about privacy in public | Russell Alexander | July 18
Quote of Note: “Toronto-based family lawyer Russell Alexander said while Byron and Cabot may not have been celebrities prior to the video, they are now famous for the wrong reasons. The video also acts as a reminder that there can be no assurances of privacy in a public place, especially in the age of social media.”
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Law360 Canada
Navigating AI in legal practice: Responsibilities, risks and realities, part one | Russell Alexander | July 16
Quote of Note: “Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the legal landscape. It’s already revolutionizing the delivery of legal services, by offering tools that can be used to enhance efficiency in research, drafting, document management, client service, and so much more.”
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CTV News
Divorce registries can be useful in Canada, lawyer and mediator say| Russell Alexander | May 31
Quote of Note: “‘We do a lot of what we call collaborative practice, where we agree not to go to court and we try to resolve everything amicably, focusing on our client’s goals and interests,’ Alexander said in an interview with CTVNews.ca.”
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The Lindsay Advocate
Calling it Quits| Russell Alexander | Jan. 17
Quote of Note: “Alexander cites holiday stress, couples spending extended time together and people wanting to start over in the new year as key reasons for Divorce Day – and January, in general – being so busy.”
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CBCListen – Ontario Morning with Nav Nanwa
Why January is Breakup Season for Couples| Russell Alexander | Jan. 14
Quote of Note: “We are seeing that the first week of January, specifically the first business Monday, we are up about 58% year over year.”
Listen to Interview
NiagaraThisWeek.com
It’s ‘Divorce Day’ in Ontario. Why do so many married couples start divorce proceedings in January? | Russell Alexander | Jan. 6
Quote of Note: “Alexander has declared Jan. 6 “Divorce Day” in Ontario. According to his findings, that’s the day when the most couples come to the realization it’s time to call it quits.”
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Toronto Star
‘Divorce Day’ is today. Here’s why so many couples decide to call it quits shortly after the holidays | Jan. 5
Quote of Note: “Many people who come to a divorce lawyer in the first week of January made their decisions back in October or November, but they put it off to ensure their children won’t have an upsetting holiday season, said Russell Alexander, an Ontario family lawyer.”
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640 Global News | Toronto This Weekend
Divorce Day with Russell Alexander | Jan. 4
Quote of Note: “It is quite the phenomenon that Divorce Lawyers and Family Lawyers see such a surge in January each year.”
Listen Now on Spotify
iHeart Radio – The Shift with Patty Handy
Divorce Day Coming Up | Russell Alexander | Jan. 3
Quote of Note: “Family Lawyers have seasonality to their profession. Three times a year there is a spike. We see a rush in the summer, when kids back to school and our statistics show a significant jump in January, specifically the first business Monday in January is probably the busiest day in the year for Divorce Lawyers.”
Listen to Interview
Publication: Global News, 980 CFPL
Everything you need to know about divorce – Let’s Talk London with Jess Brady
[Link to interview]
Quote of note: “The pandemic has made everyone look at their lives a little differently.”
September 20, 2020
Publication: CTV News
Custody Battles During COVID-19
[Link to interview]
Quote of note: “Lawyers are seeing lots of new cases especially with parents really scared about sending their kids back to in-person schooling.”
September 17, 2020
Publication: The Lawyer’s Daily
Court of Appeal finds definition of spouse applies to couple who lived together intermittently
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “The traditional model is you’re living continuously under the same roof,” he told The Lawyer’s Daily. “This particular case kind of takes it to the next level. They were dating and they were certainly spending time together, but they were also living separate and apart in their own residences. So really it takes a much more expansive view, in my opinion, of the definition of spouse.”
September 15, 2020
Publication: Global News, 980 CFPL
Court rules in favour of child attending school in-person after divorced parents can’t agree on what is best
[Link to interview]
Quote of note: “Now with the pandemic, it’s even more fodder for parents to fight over. Some parents might think this is a chance to change my custody or parenting arrangement which they didn’t like in the first place.”
September 11, 2020
Publication: CTV News
COVID-19 custody battles present tricky challenge for overwhelmed courts
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “There are lots of families who cannot afford to litigate these issues,” Alexander told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview Friday, pointing out that many parents have been laid off or are relying on government aid. “So I think it’s a lot more common out there, but parents don’t have the resources to argue these cases.”
September 10, 2020
Publication: CTV News
Divorced father loses legal fight to stop son from returning to school
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “It gives family lawyers and parents some guidance in terms of how do we approach this issue of returning to school when both parents don’t agree”
September 9, 2020
Publication: 91.9 BOB FM
BOB FM Interview on Our New Book
[Link to interview]
September 1, 2020
Publication: The Lawyer’s Daily
Family law firm extends deadline for scholarship applications to Sept. 30
[Link to article]
August 31, 2020
Publication: Core Magazine
Law Firm Tops Up University Scholarship With Tech Funds
[Link to article]
August 31, 2020
Publication: Julius Melnitzer
COVID-19 prompts scholarship expansion from Russell Alexander
[Link to article]
August 31, 2020
Publication: Can LII
Child Ordered by Court to Return to In-Person Schooling
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “The mother sought an order that the child shall attend a specific school in-person starting in September and that the child was to be registered to do so prior. The Respondent father in the matter sought an order that the child remains at home until the school board’s safety protocols were proven successful and more certainty on the health and safety of children at school could be guaranteed. It is important to note that the child, nor anyone else in the immediate family, holds underlying health conditions.”
August 31, 2020
Publication: Law Times
Ontario Superior Court rules child must attend in-class school, despite Covid-19 pandemic
[Link to article]
Quote of note: In this situation, the judge ruled the child should go to in-class school, Alexander notes, “but a different family with different facts” may produce a different ruling. “Let’s say one parent has asthma or an underlying health condition. That may cause the court to say, well, maybe the child should not go to school.”
August 28, 2020
Publication: Canadian Lawyer
Alberta appeal court rules no harm in daughter’s return to Texas despite pandemic
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “Right from day one, since everybody went into lockdown, the courts have been taking a really strong approach to parents trying to use the pandemic to alter parenting arrangements,” says Ontario family law lawyer Russell Alexander, who maintains several offices across the province.
August 21, 2020
Publication: CTV News
Ontario lawyer releases second book on divorce and includes chapter on divorce during a pandemic
[Link to article]
Quote of note:“They were complaining the other spouse was a health-care worker or a first responder,” he said. “And some parents were just not returning their children.”
August 6, 2020
Publication: CTV News
Divorce during a pandemic
[Link to interview]
Quote of note: “Our particular firm has seen an increase in clients coming in and asking for information. The pandemic has somehow changed them and they’ve realized that spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with their partner has been overwhelming.”
August 5, 2020
Publication: CBC
Divorce in a pandemic
[Link to radio segment]
Quote of note: “A lot of these relationships had underlying issues and the stress of the pandemic brought it to the top.”
July 26, 2020
Publication: The Toronto Star
Divorcing couples may find mediation faster, cheaper during pandemic, experts say
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “We’re still processing divorces and we’re still going through the process, we’re just doing it in a different way”
July 22, 2020
Publication: CBC News
COVID-19 lockdown responsible for major backlog in divorce proceedings, lawyers say
[Link to article]
Quote of note: If there is one silver lining in all of this, Alexander said, it’s the fact that this has forced Ontario’s outdated court system to modernize. Since reopening, many courts are starting to go paperless and are now accepting documents electronically.
July 21, 2020
Publication: Global News Radio, 980 CFLP
Spike in divorce cases since courts reopened during the coronavirus pandemic
[Link to radio interview]
Quote of note: “Covid-19 pandemic has jolted the courts into the digital age, forcing them to adapt to modern technology, electronic filing and virtual conferences. It is possible that the Covid-19 pandemic may permanently change how the courts operate in the future.”
July 21, 2020
Publication: Toronto Star, Ask Ellie, Advice Columnist
Ask Ellie: If divorce is inevitable, get informed now
[Link to column]
Quote of note: Lawyer Russell Alexander, in his second book on divorce law in Ontario — Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Divorce — has added a chapter specifically on divorce during the coronavirus pandemic.
July 20, 2020
Publication: Law Times
Lawyer’s new book on divorce: Family law in a pandemic
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “Our firm has long advocated for families to use alternatives to the courtroom, but that has never been more important than during the pandemic.”
June 26, 2020
Publication: Ottawa Parenting Times
When a Marriage Ends
[Link to article]
Quote of note: “Parenting coordinators are a key part of an approach known as collaborative divorce. In a traditional divorce, both sides can end up fighting in court over who deserves blame for the fire. Even in mediation, the two sides are still essentially locked in a legal battle.”
June 23, 2020
Publication: CTV News with Pat Foran
Spike in Divorces Expected as Courts Reopen
[Link to interview]
Quote of note: “You can get divorced in a peaceful and respectful way that encourages everyone to continue to have a good relationship.”
June 23, 2020
Publication: Divorce Magazine
4 Tips for Keeping Your Family Intact
[Link to article]
Quote of note: I am used to seeing families in one of the toughest situations they could face. Now, as we enter the second month of quarantine for most families, it looks to me as though many “intact” families are now in a similar situation to those with parents who are considering divorce.
June 18, 2020
Publication: Global News Radio, 980 CFPL
Marriages in Canada Impacted due to the pandemic
[Radio interview]
Quotes of note: “If the strain of the relationship is too much, couples should not feel pressured to wait until after the pandemic is over to separate. Professionals and lawyers continue to be available to assist in separations and divorces during the pandemic.”
May 18, 2020
Publication: CTV News, Northern Ontario
Keeping your family intact
[Video link]
May 15, 2020
Publication: Newstalk 1290 CJBK
Here’s what families can do amidst COVID-19
[Radio interview]
Quotes of note: “It is important that couples maintain communication and express themselves during this time. A good way to accomplish this is by setting up a daily debrief where you can each express things occurring in your everyday life.”
May 5, 2020
Publication: Global News, Peterborough
Russell Alexander law firm delivers pizzas to Peterborough Regional Health Centre
[Video link]
May 2, 2020
Publication: Newstalk 1010, Peterborough
Russell Alexander law firm delivers pizzas to Peterborough Regional Health Centre
[Radio interview link]
May 1, 2020
Publication: Slaw
Digital Decorum and Respect for the Administration of Justice
[Article link]
Quotes of note: “We are hearing stories of lawyers conducting meetings in their bathrobes and even court hearings from bed. Sometimes shirtless or in bathing suits by the pool. This reflects poorly on our profession and the administration of justice, and Judges are taking note.”
April 29, 2020
Publication: Peterborough Today
‘Save a Slice’ initiative comes to Peterborough courtesy of law firm
[Article link]
Quotes of note: “With this pandemic now in its second month, we are appreciative of all the hard work that our nurses, doctors and other medical professionals on the front line are doing every day,” said Alexander. “We hope these pizzas will remind them of everyone pulling for them right now while helping out local restaurants that have seen business drop off during the outbreak.”
April 29, 2020
Publication: Peterborough Examiner
Save a Slice shows support for Peterborough front-line workers during pandemic
[Article link]
Quotes of note: “We hope these pizzas will remind them of everyone pulling for them right now while helping out local restaurants that have seen business drop off during the outbreak.”
April 28, 2020
Publication: National Post
COVID-19 triggers flood of court rulings as estranged parents argue exes putting children at infection risk
[Article link]
Quotes of note: “Dealing with separation and access issues is difficult all the time. The difficulty is heightened during the pandemic. Everybody is overloaded by the news cycle. Our health protocols are evolving and changing daily, sometimes hourly.”
April 20, 2020
Publication: 680News
Will the pandemic lead to a higher divorce rate
[Video link]
April 16, 2020
Publication: Indie88
Tips for couples in quarantine together
[Radio interview link]
Quotes of note: Russ advised couples to spend some time together, but also get in some “you” time. However, it’s important that you don’t avoid each other all together and look for ways to enjoy each other’s company. It could be going for walks, cooking a meal, or even working on a puzzle.
April 3, 2020
Publication: Globe and Mail
Coronavirus pandemic adds complexity to parental-access battles
[Article link]
Quotes of note: If someone has proof that his or her former spouse is not abiding by public-health guidelines, that would likely count as an emergency, Mr. Alexander says. But suspecting the other parent is letting the kids go to the playground or otherwise putting them at risk of exposure to the coronavirus probably doesn’t.
February 16, 2020
Publication: The Star
“What a 4-year-old’s death says about Ontario’s strained family courts”
[Article link]
Quotes of note: “Family lawyer Russell Alexander says upcoming changes to make the language of the Divorce Act more neutral will reduce a harmful “winner-loser” mindset. The updated act uses words like “parenting time” instead of “custody” and “access.”
Previous Media Coverage
