Thijiba Sinnathamby
Thijiba Sinnathamby is a lawyer who provides legal services and a consultant who provides training on family law, issues related to intimate partner violence, Indigenous-Settler reconciliation, anti-racism and the justice system. Thijiba delivers workshops and training on various legal issues, is an author of several legal toolkits and provides both in-person and online training and support for community organizations, institutions and law firms.
Her practice focuses on family law, including negotiating and drafting marital contracts, cohabitation agreements and separation agreements, as well as providing advice on decision-making and parenting time disputes. Thijiba also practices estate planning and estate administration and acts as section 3 counsel for incapable persons. Thijiba regularly appears before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice.
Prior to law school, Thijiba earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, while there, her research focused on forced migration, war and the criminalization of racialized women as long as ethical ways of building relationships with Indigenous communities. Thijiba completed her J.D. at the University of Ottawa and articled at a prominent boutique estate litigation firm in Toronto.
Thijiba is a strong advocate for her clients and a big believer in access to justice. Thijiba provides cost effective solutions without compromising on the quality of service.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Juris Doctor, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Masters of Education, 2011
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Honours Bachelor of Arts, 2010
Membership & Affiliations
The Women’s Centre of Halton, Volunteer Family Lawyer
Junior Trusts and Estates Practitioners Group
Writing & Publications
Author, Navigating the Intersections of Family Law and Immigration Law (2023)
Co-author, Emergency Motions Toolkit (2023)
Co-author, After She Leaves: A Resource Manual for Women Advocates (2022)
Co-author, Effective Lawyering with Clients Leaving Abusive Relationships (2022)
Author, Navigating Family Law Trials: A Resource Guide for Unrepresented Women (2022)
Co-author, Family violence screening tools and tips for family law practitioners (2022)
Co-author, The Law and Parenting Arrangements After Separation: A Toolkit of Legal and Safety Information for Women Leaving Abuse (2021)
Author, Family Court Operations: Guide for the Pandemic (2021, updated in 2022)
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, “An Overview of Divorce, Family Law and the Family Court Process”. Hosted by the Women’s Centre of Halton (2023)
Speaker, “Navigating the Intersections of Family Law and Immigration Law”. Hosted by Ontario Bar Association (2023)
Speaker, “Unrepresented, self-represented and working with lawyers”. Hosted by Luke’s Place (2022)
Speaker, “Family violence screening tools and tips for family law practitioners”. Hosted by Durham Region Law Assoication (2022)
Speaker, “Effectively supporting women with criminal law legal issues”. Hosted by Luke’s Place (2022)
Speaker, “Access to Justice and Anti-Racism in Criminal and Family Law”. Hosted by Indigenous Bar Association (2022)
Speaker, “An Intersectional Approach to Law”. Hosted by Osgoode Hal Law School’s Tamil Law Student Association (2021)
Speaker, “Practice Development: Sole and Small Firm Practice”. Hosted by Ryerson University’s Faculty of Law (2021)
Speaker, “Navigating family courts during the pandemic”. Hosted by CLEO Connect (2021)
Speaker, “Cultural Competency in Elder Law”. Hosted by Ontario Bar Association (2021)
Speaker, “Coercive control”. Hosted by Luke’s Place (2021)
Speaker, “Practising law in the Covid-19 Era”: A casual and practical conversation among leading Canadian lawyers discussing strategies, challenges and the future of work. Hosted by: Buzzy Branding and UpWord Communications (2020)
Speaker, “Debunking LPP Myths”. Hosted by: Law Job Exchange and Ryerson University’s Law Practice Program (2020)
Speaker, “Tackling Ethical and Professionalism Challenges in Trusts and Estates Law”. Hosted by Ontario Bar Association, part of the 2020-2021 Trusts and Estate Litigators Passport Series (2020)
Speaker, “Mastering Minutes of Settlement”. Hosted by Ontario Bar Association, part of the 2020-2021 Trusts and Estate Litigators Passport Series (2020)