The end of life affects all of us. Whether your assets and affairs are simple and modest, or extensive and complicated, JB Lawyers LLP will work with you and your tax and investment advisors to design and implement an estate plan that provides you and your loved ones with security and peace of mind.
Our team of lawyers and legal assistants have extensive experience with estate planning, incapacity planning, and probate and estate administration. We can help you with all aspects of developing an effective estate plan, ranging from a simple will to complex trusts. We can assist you in appointing the people you trust to manage your financial affairs (power of attorney), and health care affairs (representation agreement) should you lose capacity. We also provide compassion and expertise to advise you in planning for the end.
If you have recently lost a loved one, we can guide you through the often stressful process of estate administration. We will assist you throughout this difficult time, including transferring jointly-held assets, applying to court for a grant of probate or administration, and preparing the final documentation for the distribution of the estate.
We also know that not all families get along. If you and your family members are in conflict over an estate, we will work on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement and resolution. We favour resolving estates disputes outside of court through negotiation or mediation.
As lawyers, we have the privilege to be with our clients through life’s great joys: buying a house, entering into a new relationship, or starting a new business. However, we are also present for life’s great sorrows: incapacity and death. We are honoured to be here for you and your loved ones.
Robert (Bob) Milne has been practicing law in Victoria as a general solicitor since 1975 and is a senior partner of JB Lawyers LLP. Bob advises and represents businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals in areas of corporate (including society and co-operative), commercial, real estate development, conveyancing, wills, trusts and estate law.
Bob has served on a variety of community, public, and arts boards of directors, including those of the Victoria General Hospital, Greater Victoria Public Library, Royal Roads University, Provincial Capital Commission, AIDS Vancouver Island, Dance Victoria, and Theatre SKAM. Bob is a member of the board and a Past President of Pacific Opera Victoria.
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Noel Lenaghan has practiced in Victoria since 1985 as a general practitioner in all areas of corporate, commercial, real estate, wills and estates, and family law.
As a solicitor, Noel’s preferred practice areas are: the structuring and governance of business entities; the purchase and sale of businesses; commercial real estate transactions and land development; commercial leasing; estate planning and corporate reorganizations; incapacity planning; and probate and estate administration.
In his civil litigation practice, Noel acts for clients in contract and shareholder disputes, construction and builders’ lien disputes, collections and foreclosures, estate litigation, and family law matters.
Noel received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Victoria.
Noel has been a contributor to the Continuing Legal Education Probate Practice Manual and a past Secretary of the Victoria Bar Association.
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Pheng C. Heng advises and represents a diverse range of clients in the areas of business, real estate, and wills, trusts, and estates law. Pheng’s preferred areas of practice are: the structuring and governance of owner-managed businesses; corporate reorganizations; the purchase and sale of businesses; estate planning; trusts; incapacity planning; residential and commercial real estate transactions; and commercial lending. Pheng is a partner of JB Lawyers LLP.
Pheng received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta. Pheng practiced in Edmonton before relocating to Victoria in 2006.
Pheng is actively involved with the local community and has served on the Board of Directors of Pacific Centre Family Services Association, the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises (CAFE), the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), and Synergy Sustainability Institute Society. Pheng has served on various committees with Rotary and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Victoria.
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Raya MacKenzie focuses her practice on estate planning, incapacity planning, estate administration, and trusts. Raya also practices in the areas of residential real estate and corporate law, particularly in the implementation of estate planning. Raya joined JB Lawyers LLP as an associate in 2019.
Raya received an Honours Degree in English Literature and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Victoria. Prior to enrolling at the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria, Raya worked for a year as a legal assistant at JB Lawyers LLP. During law school, Raya received many academic awards including the Law Society of British Columbia’s Gold Medal, awarded to the student who has attained the highest academic standing in the Law School’s graduating class.
Raya enjoys guiding her clients through their legal questions and finding practical solutions to their issues.
When not in the office, Raya enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and family. She loves reading, drinking Earl Grey tea, cross-stitching, long walks with friends, and slow jogs.
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Leah Robinson is developing a general practice in the areas of family law, business law (including employment law), real estate conveyancing, and wills and estates. Leah joined JB Lawyers LLP as an associate in 2021.
Approximately half of Leah’s practice is devoted to family law matters, including preparing family law agreements (cohabitation/marriage agreements and separation agreements), making divorce applications, and providing advice about parenting, child support, spousal support, and division of property. Leah advises and represents family law clients in negotiations, mediations, litigation or through the collaborative family law process.
In her business law practice, Leah advises and represents owner-managed businesses on corporate matters, commercial transactions, contract disputes, employment agreements and disputes, and succession planning.
Leah also assists individual clients in residential real estate transactions and with estate planning.
Leah received her Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria and her law degree from the University of Ottawa. Leah articled at a full-service firm in Victoria and was called to the bar in 2020.
Leah was born and raised in Victoria. She is actively involved in her community through volunteer positions and athletics. Leah currently volunteers as a Sexual Assault Response Team Volunteer Support Worker with the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre. She uses a trauma-informed approach in her volunteer roles and family law practice.
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A native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Paul moved to Victoria in 1968 after receiving his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. Called to the British Columbia Bar in 1969, Paul co-founded Jawl & Bundon in 1973.
Paul had a very general practice in commercial, corporate lending, construction, social housing, estate planning. He currently limits his practice to wills, estates, and trusts, and assists in mentoring younger lawyers in the firm.
British Columbia (1969)
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Rob Millar is an experienced solicitor with a business background. Rob advises and represents clients in a range of commercial, business and real estate matters, including:
• Affordable Housing DevelopmentFor several years a licensed business broker, Rob assists capably in business purchase and sale transactions, and acts as a resource for business growth, transition and succession planning of all types. Rob acts for owners and developers (including government-sponsored affordable housing operators and developers) in the purchase, sale, subdivision, development, financing, and marketing of real property. Rob also acts for banks and private lenders in secured financing transactions.
Affable and professional, Rob enjoys deploying his experience in effective communication and negotiation, and works with clients to plan and prioritize, put legal issues into context, and manage costs and budgets. Rob’s business and entrepreneurial experience is an invaluable asset to his clients.
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Nate Lampard advises and represents clients from diverse industries in the areas of corporate, commercial, and real estate law, with a focus on: the structuring, formation, and governance of business entities (particularly limited partnerships); private mergers and acquisitions; debt and equity financings; and the acquisition, financing, development, and disposition of real estate. Nate also acts for several major banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions in commercial lending transactions. Nate is a partner of JB Lawyers LLP.
Nate is a U.S.-trained lawyer who was first called to the bar in 2000. Prior to being called to the British Columbia bar in 2009, Nate practiced real estate, business and construction law at leading law firms in Hawaii and Connecticut, and held underwriting and legal positions in the insurance industry in New Jersey.
Nate received his B.A. (Hons.) in History from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Hawaii. Born in California, Nate was raised both in Honolulu, Hawaii, and here in Victoria, graduating from St. Michaels University School.
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