About Us Lawyer, mediator Ottawa & Cornwall
Law and real-world experience, applied to practical solutions
Joanne brings deep experience in law, mediation, and public systems to her work with families.
Joanne Roulston, MSW, JD
Lawyer, Qualified Mediator (Q.Med), registered social worker, and former federal government executive
Joanne works at the intersection of family law, coercive control, and social policy, with particular expertise in child and family relations, income security, and public systems.
Joanne is a nationally recognized expert in family and children’s policy and income security. She has testified before parliamentary committees and served as an OECD national expert on children’s programming.
Joanne is a former federal executive with extensive experience in policy, research, and program evaluation, including managing complex projects, human resources, and government contracting.
She is a part-time instructor in social work at Carleton University and an experienced teacher and facilitator.
Selected roles and contributions:
- Co-Chair, Expert Panel on Income Security, Council on Aging of Ottawa https://coaottawa.ca/age-friendly-committees/income-security/
- Member, Standards of Practice Committee, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers https://www.ocswssw.org/about-us/council-and-committees/standards-of-practice-committee/
- Former Vice-President, Ontario Association of Family Mediators (Ottawa Chapter)
- Board member and scientific advisor, Canadian Institute of Child Health (1992–2019)
- Director, National Council of Welfare
- Director, Corporate Evaluation, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Former child protection social worker