Arend J.A. Hoekstra

Judy Rost is a senior litigator practising in civil litigation with an emphasis on business and franchise disputes, and estate matters. Judy is the group leader of the firm’s Business Disputes and Franchise Practices and a member of the Intellectual Property + Technology and Wills, Estates + Trusts Practice Groups. She has acted for plaintiffs and defendants in all types of business disputes including shareholder, partnership, real estate, and franchise matters. Judy has been recognized...

Andrea is a lawyer in the Private Wealth Group at Farris LLP. She focuses her practice on assisting clients with sophisticated estate and trust planning and administration. She provides succession planning advice and works with clients to craft trust documents, wills and testamentary instruments, powers of attorney and representation agreements which respond to their specific needs. Andrea also provides services to executors and trustees. Andrea is a frequent speaker for a wide variety of gro...

Len is a partner in our Vancouver office and is the co-practice group leader of our Tax Law group. Len’s practice focuses on creating tax effective structures for client’s operating Canadian businesses and their succession planning. Len provides similar advice to Canadian businesses that are expanding outside of Canada and non-resident clients who are expanding into Canada. Len also provides tax advice to Canadian pension plans in connection with their acquisitions and divestments...

When Silvia decides to take on a challenge, she really goes for it. After launching a successful career as a civil and employment lawyer in her native Brazil, Silvia decided to immigrate to Canada without having set foot here before. Undaunted by the Canadian licensing process, she worked her way through another law degree, a second career as an immigration paralegal and a third career as a mother to two boys. She’s now returned to where she started, this time tackling the practice of C...

Mike Adlem is head of the firm's Insurance and Professional Liability Group and a litigation partner in the firm’s Vancouver office. His practice focuses on corporate commercial and insurance litigation. He represents insurers, their insureds and self-insured organizations in a wide variety of litigation including class actions, product liability, directors and officers, construction, financial services, competition, technology, professional errors and omissions, defamation, medical and...

Chris, a Partner in the Business Law Group at Watson Goepel, has been recognized since 2025 Best Lawyers awards for his exceptional work in Trusts and Estates. His extensive practice includes all aspects of estate planning, such as probate and administration applications, wills, powers of attorney, representation agreements, and committee ship applications. Chris is also adept at establishing and managing various types of trusts, including alter ego trusts, joint spousal trusts, and disabilit...

Laura is an experienced commercial litigator specializing in complex litigation and dispute resolution. Laura handles a wide range of high-profile disputes, including public and private law matters. Laura has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia and as counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada. Laura has also appeared before the British Columbia Securities Commission tribunal in administrative matters. Laura's practice is marked by her clear communication, meticulous preparati...

Kelly Murray joined Whitelaw Twining in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, Kelly worked for over 17 years with boutique litigation firms in Vancouver and focussed her practice on professional liability claims. Before that she gained early trial experience as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Ontario for four years. She now continues her professional liability practice at Whitelaw Twining defending real estate agents and lawyers against claims made against them in their professional capacity. Kelly...

Mark Pontin is a leading commercial litigator in Vancouver, BC. With a focus on corporate and securities litigation, Mark represents clients in a wide range of shareholder disputes including oppression and dissent proceedings, derivative actions and proxy contests. In addition, Mark has extensive experience in real estate disputes, and matters involving civil fraud. Mark has successfully represented both regional and national companies in commercial disputes.

Matthew Katsionis is an award-winning trial lawyer in Vancouver who practices exclusively in family law. He has also been featured in The Globe and Mail for his work in the field. Known for his strong advocacy and practical approach, Matthew has built his reputation on guiding clients through complex and challenging family law matters. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked as a teacher, an experience that gives him a distinctive perspective on both the legal system and the family dynamics at th...