Rhoni has been practicing family law since 2018. She has experience in various dispute resolution methods, including collaborative law, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
As a child of divorce/separation, who experienced parent addiction, parent estrangement, a single parent household, and involvement by extended family members as caregivers, Rhoni has a unique perspective to share with her clients. Her personal experience gives her an intimate understanding of the stigma, stress, and trauma families often experience during the separation process. At the same time, she understands the benefits to children of ending unsafe and unhealthy family dynamics. She draws on her personal experience, taking a child-centred and trauma-informed approach, to help her clients resolve their legal issues without costly litigation and in a way that strives to promote healthier families post-separation.
Rhoni believes that children and families can thrive in a variety of forms. Rhoni has experience and interest in adoptions, guardianships, customary care and kinship care agreements, and access and contact applications. Rhoni takes a compassionate approach to assist families reach resolutions that aim to give the children involved the safety, care, and support they need while still holding space for and recognizing the importance of children maintaining all their relationships.
Rhoni also has experience in fertility law and has assisted intended parents, surrogates, and donors. Her commitment to advancing the legal rights of individuals seeking to form families led to a successful challenge to update Manitoba laws regarding legal parentage. Rhoni formed part of the legal team that was awarded the 2022 Manitoba Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award for their work on this critical case.
Other Pursuits
You will often find Rhoni listening to music. She enjoys hiking, walking with her two dogs, reading, and watching the Toronto Raptors or the latest binge-worthy TV series. She’s also a decent crib and Catan player. As a former competitive athlete, Rhoni was a player and captain of the University of Manitoba Bisons soccer team and the Manitoba provincial handball team.
Education
- Juris Doctor, University of Manitoba, 2017
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Sociology, University of Manitoba, 2014
Training
- Certificate of Collaborative Training, Collaborative Practice Manitoba
- Certificate of Completion, Basic Mediation Skills, Mediation Services
Professional Affiliations
- Manitoba Bar Association (Women Lawyers’ Forum Section Vice Chair)
- Canadian Bar Association
- Manitoba Law Students Association Mentorship Program
- Law Society of Manitoba
- Collaborative Practice Manitoba
- Collaborative Professionals of Canada
- ADR Institute of Canada
- ADR Institute of Manitoba
- Aulneau Renewal Centre (Board Member)
Commendations + Accolades
- Manitoba Bar Association Pro Bono Public Interest Project Award – 2022
- D.A. Thompson Q.C. Prize in Law – 2017
- Mr. Justice Gerald W.J. Mercier Prize in Clinical Family Law – 2017
- Judge Ross A. Johnston Prize for Family Law – 2017
- Kimberly Dawn Gusto Memorial Award for Children and the Law – 2017
- Muriel St. John Research Award for Women’s Legal Issues – 2016
- University of Manitoba Athlete Council Leadership Award – 2013
- CIS Academic All-Canadian Honour Roll, University of Manitoba – 2009 – 2013
- Dean’s Honour List, University of Manitoba – 2009 – 2012
- University of Manitoba Athletic Award (Women’s Soccer) – 2008 – 2013