July 16, 2021

Author: Owen Bird

Owen Bird is delighted to announce that Michelle Karby has joined our firm as the newest member of our Wills, Trusts and Estate Group.

Michelle is an experienced wills, estates and trusts lawyer. She works with families to navigate the often sensitive field of trust and estate planning, estate administration, and family business succession planning.  She works with families to ensure their affairs are in order and that appropriate tax planning is in place to ease both the emotional and financial burden when a loved one passes. When that person does pass, she provides legal support and advice throughout the…

July 12, 2021

Author: Owen Bird

Owen Bird is pleased to announce that Jocelyn Bellerud has accepted an invitation to join the Interlaw Board of Directors and to serve as Global Chair of the Next Gen Special Business Team effective immediately.  Jocelyn will also continue to serve as Co-Chair for the Interlaw North America of the M&A Special Business Team.

Owen Bird is extremely proud of its relationship with Interlaw and the international connections it offers to our clients.  Interlaw is a long-established elite global network of pre-eminent independent law firms comprising 7,500+ lawyers based in over 150 cities around the world.

June 28, 2021

Author: Owen Bird

Owen Bird is pleased to announce that firm lawyer Heather Frydenlund has been appointed North America Chair for the Interlaw Bankruptcy and Insolvency SBT.

Owen Bird is extremely proud of its relationship with Interlaw and the international connections it offers to our clients.  Interlaw is an international network of corporate and commercial independent law firms, active in 140 different cities worldwide.

June 17, 2021

Author: Georgia Barnard

As one of our Pride 2021 initiatives at Owen Bird, the associates decided to go on a LGBTQ2+ walking tour. The Really Gay History Tour tells the (previously) hidden queer history of our city. Head storyteller Glenn Tkach did all the research for the tour, and his passion for the subject was evident! Stops included Jim Deva Plaza, the Vancouver Art Gallery, St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church, and St. Paul’s Hospital. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Delivered with nuance and humour, we all went away feeling we now know more about our city and its LGBTQ2+ history.

May 06, 2021

Author: Georgia Barnard

Did you know that you could divorce in French in British Columbia?

As of March 1, 2021, litigants may use either official language in divorce proceedings. This includes filing pleadings or other documents, giving evidence, or making submissions. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided by the court on request, as will translations of judgments or orders. The litigants also have a right to a judge who speaks the same official language as that party (or both official languages, as the case may be).

According to the 2016 census, there are roughly 55,000 people in British Columbia who speak French as their…

April 30, 2021

Author: Georgia Barnard

In British Columbia, it used to be the case that a Will made prior to marriage was automatically revoked on the marriage of the will-maker. However, since the Wills, Estates and Succession Act came into force in 2014, marriage no longer has this effect in our province.

Seven years later, Ontario is following suit. A bill repealing the section of Ontario’s Succession Law Reform Act which set out that a will was revoked by marriage received royal asset on April 19, 2021.

These changes reflect the modern world, where increasing numbers of people in Canada have children from prior relationships…

April 28, 2021

Author: Owen Bird

Owen Bird is proud to be a donor and supporter of the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Future Leaders PIXEL Moments.  This week, the interactive augmented reality art mural came to life in the heart of downtown Vancouver, on the corner of Granville and W. Georgia.

The response we have seen throughout this campaign is a strong reminder that no one is impervious to mental health suffering. Together, the campaign has successfully raised $299,416 for St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation for mental health resources.

April 28, 2021

Author: Owen Bird

We are pleased to announce the appointment of shareholder Jennifer M. Williams as the Chair of our Diversity, Inclusion and Community Involvement Committee.

Jennifer brings a wealth of educational, professional and lived experience and expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion to the Committee.  With extensive experience in non-profit board leadership and equity work,  Jennifer is passionate about diverse and inclusive workplaces that respect and embrace the unique backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and talents of individuals at all levels of the organization.

“Diversity and Inclusion are good for us, our clients, and our community.   Valuing and enhancing diversity helps us attract, retain and…