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Vol.31 No.23
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Pier Law expands as mediation demand grows More families seek to resolve complex separations outside courtroom
A family law firm that opened a satellite office in the qathet region last year has expanded again, launching a fourth location in downtown Vancouver as demand for mediation services continues to rise. Pier Law & Mediation opened its qathet office in May 2025. The firm announced in February that it has added a Vancouver office in the Burrard One building. The female-founded firm focuses on family law mediation and negotiated settlements, an approach that has been gaining traction in BC as families seek alternatives to court. “Mediation preserves privacy, control and wealth,” says founder and managing lawyer Kendelle Pollitt. “When families have access to experienced mediators and structured support early on, they reach durable agreements without the strain and cost of litigation.” Pier Law operates two full-service offices in White Rock and Vancouver, along with satellite locations in Tsawwassen and qathet, which operates by appointment at 105-4675 Marine Avenue. The expansion comes amid a broader shift in how family disputes are resolved. According to data from the Provincial Court of British Columbia, 68 per cent of families who used consensual dispute resolution settled some or all of their issues. Fifty-seven per cent resolved matters without filing a court application. Pollitt says the firm is seeing growing demand for mediation, particularly among clients with complex financial situations. “Families going through separations deserve privacy, clarity and a process that pro-
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[Top, from left] Kendelle Pollitt, founder, managing lawyer, mediator; Stephanie O’Mahony, family lawyer, mediator; Julie Brown, family lawyer; Sareen PERSONAL REAL lawyer; ESTATE Tanbir CORPORATION Takhar, head associate; and Melissa P. Keen, family lawyer. [Bottom, from left] Chris Cheong, family lawyer; Sareena Samra, family Dhami, family lawyer; Greeta Kaur Sidhu, family lawyer; Peter Matanaj, family lawyer; and Peter Leask, KC, mediator.
tects what they have built,” she adds. For high-net-worth families, the challenge is often finding mediators with the expertise to navigate complicated financial structures. Cases may involve corporate holdings, trusts, multiple properties or cross-border assets. To address that demand, Pier Law expanded its mediation roster from one to four in 2026. The firm also welcomed senior mediator Peter Leask, KC, a former Supreme Court justice and accredited family law mediator. The expansion allows the firm to offer more specialized services and additional availability for clients across the province. The company also hired four new lawyers during the year. Many of the firm’s clients maintain homes or business interests in more than one comNEW OCEAN VIEW CONDOS
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munity. Pollitt says remote and hybrid mediation has made it easier to serve clients across BC, including those outside major urban centres. “This flexibility is essential for executives, entrepreneurs and families balancing complex assets across multiple cities.” The Vancouver office will also provide a dedicated space for clients who prefer in-person negotiations, particularly those working with financial advisors in the Lower Mainland. Pier Law has also increased its community involvement as it expands. The firm has invested more than $160,000 through sponsorships, scholarships and donations across the communities it serves. In qathet, the office was nominated for Best New Business of the Year at the Powell River 6900 Burnaby Street
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Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in WARREN 2025. Pollitt says that recognitionBEHAN reflects the PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION Getoffer the Peak to Go firm’s effort to a different approach to iPhone app now family law. available in the “Families App do not have to choose between Store or iTunes WA speed and sophistication,” she adds. “With the right team and process, complex matters PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION can be resolved privately and efficiently.” PERS Pier Law has also been recognized nationally as one of The Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies for two consecutive years. As mediation continues to grow across BC, Pollitt says the firm expects demand for negotiation-first family law services to continue rising in the years ahead. For more information or to make an appointment, call 604.560.8285, or go to pierPERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION familylawyers.com/appointments.
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warrenbehan.com 604.485.2324 WARREN BEHAN 604.483.8173 PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
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