Civil Rights lawyers within 2 miles of Vancouver

Matthew is a litigation lawyer with a primary focus on family law. He can also assist clients with various criminal and civil litigation issues. He strongly believes that everyone deserves a voice in the justice system and he works closely with his clients, making sure their rights are protected throughout the course of their file. Matthew has conducted trials at the Provincial and Supreme Court, and has appeared at the Immigration and Refugee Board Tribunal. Being called to the Bar in both British Columbia and Alberta, Matthew regularly appears in court throughout the Vancouver area and in Calgary. He has a high success rate in court and is a strong advocate who gets results. Matthew was a teacher before becoming a lawyer and he has worked extensively with children. Matthew strives to resolve conflicts in the best interests of children and families. He understands the challenges of separation and divorce and plans strategies to resolve matters as efficiently as possible, whether in court or through mediation. In law school Matthew received top of the class honors in Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Advocacy. He was also a member of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Mock Trial team where he competed against top law schools across the United States.

I am a civil rights and personal injury lawyer who is a passionate advocate for the victims/survivors of abuse. I have built my career representing the most vulnerable members of our society. The objective is always to help foster a sense of validation and justice that empowers healing. Since my call to the Bar in BC (2004) and in Manitoba (2005), my legal practice has focused mainly on Civil Claims and Remedies; as well as Aboriginal law. This involved conducting proceedings all across Western Canada. As Plaintiff Counsel, I have conducted over 600 Civil Claims, many of these were in the Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s Bench; while many other claims were in the National Alternative Dispute Resolution, Independent Assessment Process of the Indian Residential School Class Action. Consequently, I developed an expertise in preparing claimants / Survivors for handling cross-examination; especially in claims involving highly sensitive, personal details such as sexual abuse. To further my understanding of conflict resolution and collaborative process(es), I became a Family Law Mediator, in BC. I treat all my clients with the utmost patience, understanding, compassion, and respect. To facilitate a Survivors’ journey through these processes I have worked with Dept of Justice Counsel, Church Counsel, and the Councils of Elders. My efforts in representing Survivors have earned me national respect and recognition in the Aboriginal communities. As a result, I have developed a deep and respectful relationship with many of the bands/peoples on the West Coast and across the Prairies. To help give voice to injustices is both an incredible honor and a privilege.