Surrogacy legal experts
Navigate the complex legal landscape of surrogacy with our experienced team of dedicated legal professionals in Canada
Michelle Flowerday, LL.B Fertility & Family Law Lawyer – Toronto, Ontario
Michelle Flowerday is a Toronto-based fertility and family lawyer whose practice is dedicated to assisted reproduction law, including surrogacy, donor conception, and complex family formation matters. She advises intended parents, surrogates, and reproductive clinics across Canada and internationally.
Her work includes drafting and negotiating surrogacy and donor agreements, advising on legal parentage matters, and supporting clinics and healthcare providers with compliance under Canada’s assisted human reproduction framework. She also provides guidance on regulatory and procedural aspects of fertility law.
Michelle has extensive experience working with stakeholders across the reproductive health sector and is recognized for her involvement in fertility law practice and education. She regularly contributes to discussions on legal frameworks governing assisted reproduction in Canada.
Prior to establishing her independent practice, she worked at leading Canadian law firms including McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Dickson MacGregor Appell LLP.
Sara R. Cohen, LL.B. Fertility Lawyer | Founder, Fertility Law Canada at D2Law LLP – Toronto, Ontario
Sara R. Cohen is a leading fertility lawyer based in Toronto, serving clients across Canada and internationally. She is the founder of Fertility Law Canada at D2Law LLP, where her practice is exclusively dedicated to fertility law and assisted reproduction.
She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, fertility clinics, hospitals, cryobanks, and reproductive service providers on all aspects of assisted reproduction law, including surrogacy arrangements, donor conception, parentage declarations, and regulatory compliance under Canadian legislation.
Sara is widely recognized as a national leader in fertility law and assisted reproduction practice. She holds prominent leadership roles within the fertility law and reproductive health community and is actively engaged in advancing legal frameworks governing family building in Canada.
Her expertise is frequently sought on complex domestic and international fertility law matters, and she is known for her leadership in shaping structured, ethical, and legally secure pathways to parenthood.
Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, Fertility Matters Canada, the Advocates’ Society, and The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
Rachel S. West, B.A., J.D. Partner, Carbert Waite LLP – Calgary, Alberta
Rachel West is a Canadian fertility and family lawyer practicing in assisted reproduction law, including surrogacy, donor arrangements, and legal parentage applications. She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, and reproductive professionals on the legal structure of third-party reproduction.
Her work includes drafting and reviewing surrogacy agreements, donor contracts, and parentage documentation, as well as guiding clients through the legal steps required to establish parental rights in Canada.
She has experience working with both domestic and international intended parents, helping them navigate jurisdictional and procedural requirements in assisted reproduction matters.
Rachel is recognized for her structured and clear approach to complex family law processes and her focus on delivering legally secure outcomes.
Jocelyne Léger-Nowlan, LL.L Fertility & Family Law Lawyer – Moncton, New Brunswick
Jocelyne Léger-Nowlan is a bilingual fertility and family lawyer practicing in assisted reproduction law, including surrogacy, donor arrangements, co-parenting agreements, and legal parentage matters. She advises intended parents, surrogates, and donors across Canada and internationally.
Fluent in English and French, she provides legal support to clients navigating both domestic and cross-border reproductive arrangements. Her practice includes drafting and negotiating surrogacy and donor agreements, as well as assisting with parentage applications and legal recognition of parental rights.
Jocelyne works closely with clients through each stage of the assisted reproduction process, ensuring clarity, compliance, and legal protection for all parties involved. She is known for her structured and accessible approach to complex reproductive law matters.
She is recognized for delivering clear legal guidance within Canada’s evolving fertility law framework.
Ellen Embury, LL.B, M.P.A, B.A Fertility & Family Law Lawyer – Calgary, Alberta
Ellen Embury is one of Canada’s leading fertility and surrogacy lawyers, with a practice focused exclusively on assisted reproduction law. She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, and fertility professionals on all aspects of third-party reproduction.
Her work includes surrogacy agreements, donor conception agreements, parentage declarations, and cross-border reproductive arrangements. She has extensive experience guiding clients through the legal and procedural frameworks required to build families through assisted reproduction in Canada.
Ellen regularly drafts and negotiates agreements that define the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in surrogacy and donation arrangements. She also advises clinics and reproductive stakeholders on legal compliance and best practices within Canadian fertility law.
She is widely recognized for her leadership in reproductive law and her commitment to supporting structured, ethical, and legally secure family-building pathways.
Alex MacNab, LL.B Fertility & Family Law Lawyer – Calgary, Alberta
Alex MacNab is a Canadian family and fertility lawyer practicing in assisted reproduction law, including surrogacy, donor conception, and parenting arrangements. He works with intended parents, surrogates, and donors to structure clear and legally enforceable family-building agreements.
He has extensive experience in negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution, with a focus on resolving family law matters in a practical and efficient manner. His approach emphasizes reducing conflict and supporting long-term family stability.
Alex began his legal career in 2004, gaining experience in criminal defence and family law, where he appeared regularly before provincial and superior courts. He later expanded into government and litigation work, strengthening his background in advocacy and complex dispute resolution.
He is recognized for his calm, solutions-focused approach to sensitive family and reproductive law matters.
Shirley Levitan, LL.B Fertility & Family Law Lawyer –Toronto, Ontario
Shirley Levitan is a Toronto-based family and fertility lawyer with decades of experience in assisted reproduction law and family formation matters. She advises intended parents, surrogates, and donors on the legal structure of surrogacy and third-party reproduction arrangements in Canada.
Her practice includes surrogacy agreements, donor agreements, co-parenting arrangements, and legal parentage applications. She is frequently involved in structuring legally sound reproductive arrangements that support clear, secure pathways to parenthood.
Shirley began her legal career in 1988 at a major Bay Street firm before moving into family and fertility law, where she developed extensive experience in complex family matters and dispute resolution. She is also a frequent speaker and contributor to professional discussions in family and reproductive law.
She is recognized for her long-standing role in the development of fertility and family law practice in Canada and for her ability to guide clients through complex reproductive legal processes with clarity and experience.
Marisha N. Paquin, LL.P Fertility Lawyer – Southwest, Saskatchewan
Marisha Paquin is a fertility and family lawyer with a practice focused on assisted reproduction, family formation, and modern parentage law. She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, and families navigating the legal complexities of assisted reproductive technologies, providing practical and compassionate guidance throughout the family-building journey.
Her practice includes drafting and negotiating surrogacy and donor agreements, advising on parentage matters, and supporting clients through the legal processes associated with third-party reproduction. Marisha is committed to ensuring that every arrangement is thoughtfully structured, legally sound, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each family.
In addition to her work in fertility law, Marisha has extensive experience in family law, bringing a well-rounded perspective to matters involving parenting, relationships, and family dynamics. She is known for her collaborative approach, clear communication, and dedication to helping clients navigate emotionally significant decisions with confidence.
Marisha is passionate about supporting individuals and families through all paths to parenthood and is proud to help create secure, inclusive, and legally protected family-building journeys.
Kathleen Adam, LL.L Fertility Lawyer – Vancouver, British Columbia
Kathleen Adams is a Vancouver-based fertility and surrogacy lawyer and the founder of KJ Adams Law, a boutique legal practice dedicated exclusively to assisted reproduction and family-building law. She advises intended parents, surrogates, donors, and fertility professionals on the legal frameworks governing surrogacy, donor conception, and assisted reproductive technologies in British Columbia and across Canada.
Her practice focuses on drafting and negotiating surrogacy agreements, donor agreements (including egg, sperm, and embryo donation), and providing legal guidance on complex assisted reproduction arrangements. She also assists clients with parentage matters and the legal processes required to establish parental rights following assisted conception.
Kathleen brings a unique, practical perspective to her work, having previously gained experience within the fertility clinic environment before establishing her legal practice. This background informs her client-focused approach to reproductive law, with an emphasis on clarity, accessibility, and supportive guidance throughout the family-building process.
She works with a diverse range of clients, including 2SLGBTQIA+ families, single parents by choice, domestic and international intended parents, and surrogates, ensuring inclusive and legally secure pathways to parenthood.
Kathleen is also engaged in educating and advising on assisted reproduction law, supporting both individuals and professionals navigating Canada’s evolving fertility law landscape. Her practice is grounded in creating structured, ethical, and legally protected family-building arrangements.