Joan Chinelo Manafa

Joan C. Manafa is the founder and principal of Manafa Law Office, a seasoned lawyer with over 25 years of experience in family law, fertility law, elder law, and human rights advocacy. Bilingual in English and French, she holds multiple legal degrees from respected Canadian institutions and has appeared before every level of Ontario's courts. A pioneer in Assisted Reproduction Law and a passionate advocate for vulnerable communities, Joan combines legal precision with deep compassion — earning recognition both in the courtroom and in the community she serves.

Joan C. Manafa is the principal of Manafa Law Office, Professional Corporation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (French Language) obtained in 1984 from the University of Nigeria. She also holds a diploma in French literature obtained in 1983 from the University of Grenoble, in France. This diploma counted as Year 3 of the 4 year degree programme she undertook at the University of Nigeria.

Prior to undertaking legal studies, Ms. Manafa was a high school teacher. In 1989, she obtained a Nova Scotia Teacher’s License, Class 5 Permanent, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

She studied common law (in French language) at the University of Moncton, in New Brunswick, Canada, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1994. She also holds a diploma in Quebec Civil Law, obtained in 1993 from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada. This was part of the Common Law /Civil Law Exchange programme organized by the Department of Justice Canada and designed to expose Canadian law students to the two legal systems in Canada. She was chosen to represent the University of Moncton Law School, in New Brunswick, Canada.

Upon completion of her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1994, she immediately proceeded to Dalhousie Law School (now known as Schulich School of Law) at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she obtained her Master of Laws degree in 1995.