Jan Goddard

Jan Goddard entered law school with an interest in working with elderly people and their legal issues. She felt even then that their rights, and discrimination against them, were subjects the law had failed to consider, let alone address. But over 30 years ago the term ‘elder law’ did not exist.

So Jan made her own path to the law practice she has today. Along the way, she served for 10 years as counsel at the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee in Ontario, obtained a certificate in gerontology from Ryerson University and a mediation certificate from Osgoode Hall Law School, and founded and developed the law firm of Goddard Gamage LLP.

In 2020, Jan was selected by her peers to receive The Award of Excellence from The Trusts and Estates Section of The Ontario Bar Association. She was also chosen as Lawyer of The Year 2020, Trusts and Estates, Toronto by Best Lawyers in Canada. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually, 2009-2023.

The expertise Jan has developed in her chosen fields has led to her being a frequent presenter at continuing professional development programs in Ontario, a regular participant at the bi-annual Canadian Conference on Elder Law, a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Centre of Elder Law and a sought-after volunteer on committees and advisory groups. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, Jan co-directed the Elder Law Certificate program at Osgoode Professional Development. In 2015, 2017 and 2019 she co-chaired The Canadian Conference on Elder Law in Vancouver. Jan was a member of the Advisory Group to the Law Commission of Ontario’s major project on Legal Capacity, Decision-making and Guardianship.

Jan’s previous experience working in government and policy development has helped her develop skills in explaining complicated legal matters to her clients in simple but meaningful language. She now serves as a navigator for her own clients in planning for their futures or trying to resolve messy situations.

Jan is a spouse, mother, daughter, sister, community volunteer, friend and valued professional colleague of many, and these roles inform her as she works with clients of all ages and backgrounds, seeking to understand their needs and help them find their own paths through the many challenges life throws at us all.  

Jan is a graduate of the University of Toronto Law School, and completed her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University. She practices under the name Jan Goddard Professional Corporation.