How did you first get involved with CLEBC?
When McLellan Herbert opened its doors in 1992, CLEBC was a big part of our library. The Wills, Estates and Elder Law resources are particularly helpful for all stages of your legal career. My partner Hugh McLellan put my name forward to CLEBC many years ago to present on incapacity/elder law issues and I have been doing so ever since.
What are you currently working on (or have most recently worked on) with CLEBC?
I will be doing the Patients Property updates for Annotated Estates Practice and will be doing the Planning for Incapacity chapter updates for the publication British Columbia Estate Planning & Wealth Preservation. I am also sitting on the editorial board for the new Estate Litigation Deskbook which will hopefully be out in the next year.
What inspired you to become a lawyer?
I’m not sure what my inspiration was but from a very young age I wanted to be a lawyer. Perhaps I watched too many Perry Mason shows as a child (that’s how old I am)!
How did you decide to focus your practice on estate and trust litigation?
Originally, I wanted to be a labour lawyer (which I did do for a while). As a firm, McLellan Herbert decided to concentrate on wills, estates, and elder law and I have enjoyed this practice area and the collegiality of our bar. While we may be on other sides of an issue, having a knowledgeable and respectful bar makes practising in this area far more engaging.
You are very active in the legal community both as a contributor to publications and as a speaker. What motivates you to give back to the profession?
I think it is important for lawyers to be armed with the information they will need to have a successful practice and to have the knowledge needed to properly advise their clients. The senior lawyers in our practice area are all very generous with their time participating in CLEBC programs or publications.
Other than law, what are you passionate about?
I am an avid sports fan and enjoy travelling with my family (pre- and hopefully post-COVID). I am the proud owner of a COVID dog, Max (named after the little dog in the Grinch).
Anything you’d like to shamelessly promote? (favourite charity, social cause, etc.)
My family and I support a number of charities so I don’t want to single any one of them out. Charitable giving is one way to support a charity but most rely on the help of volunteers to carry out their objectives. Charities are grateful for any support we can offer.