Rui Joaquim Macedo Alves

Outside of his legal practice, Rui enjoys spending time with his family, working on his country property, and tending to his grapevines. He believes that patience, perspective, and steady effort matter — both in life and in helping families navigate difficult transitions.

Rui has been a practical, strategic family law litigator for over 30 years. He is known for providing thoughtful, measured guidance that helps clients reach durable outcomes for themselves and their families. While he remains fully prepared to assemble a litigation team for his clients when necessary, Rui focuses on Collaborative family law and negotiated resolutions whenever possible. Clients value his steady judgment, accessibility, and ability to navigate complex situations with clarity and calm.

In addition to his family law practice, Rui assists clients with Wills and Estates planning. He is a committed mentor to lawyers and law students, offering confidential advice and professional guidance. He has been recognized by the Osgoode Hall Alumni Mentor Program for his mentorship of Osgoode Law students.

Rui is a Past Chair of Collaborative Divorce Toronto and served as an associate editor of the Ontario Family Law Reporter from 2010 to 2016. Since 2001, he has written and presented extensively for the Ontario Bar Association, the Law Society of Ontario, the University of Western Ontario’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children, the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals, and Collaborative Divorce Toronto. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to advancing thoughtful, respectful approaches to family dispute resolution.

Co-author (with Professor Nicholas Bala and Brittany Chaput), “Getting Scientific Knowledge about Family Violence into the Family CourtProcess: Judicial Education, Judicial Notice, and Expert Evidence,” Chapter 8, Understanding Family Violence in Family Court Proceedings:Providing Effective Responses for Victims, Children, and Perpetrators (University of Toronto Press, 2025)