About our mediators

Leisha Murphy^**

After being a family lawyer for over 14 years, coupled with my own personal experience with divorce, I have come to understand the difficult transition that comes with the end of a relationship. Through my personal and professional knowledge of family law, I bring separating couples clarity, education and options to assist them in reaching workable and enduring resolutions. I assist clients with or without counsel and deal with all areas of family law (including child support, spousal support and parenting), specializing in the division of businesses and trusts (including the tax implications of those divisions).

In helping clients reach agreement, I am keenly aware of future potential roadblocks separating couples should consider at the time of settlement. This experience comes from routinely going to court in my first decade as a family lawyer, where I witnessed the unraveling of well-intended agreements and protracted disputes over the interpretation of agreement terms. This court experience also led me to see how destructive that process can be for families, both financially and emotionally. That is the reason my practice is focused on reaching out-of-court settlements, through collaborative divorce, mediation/negotiation or assisting clients as a mediator. These processes reduce legal fees, stress and anxiety and allows parents to maintain a workable relationship going forward.

On the personal front, now that I am of an age where life is full of stressors, I have taken up meditation (and try to do it daily) as well as recently adopted a dog, which I have read is supposed to bring calm and love. The jury is out on whether either endeavor is working, but all we can do is try.

Geeta Gill

I am a collaborative family law lawyer, mediator and parenting coordinator.  I was drawn to family law because of its interaction among people, family and relationships, and having an undergraduate degree in psychology.  With more than 18 years of legal experience, I have dealt with all aspects of family law, whether it be through the separation and divorce process or in the preparation of cohabitation and marriage agreements.

I am committed to bringing not only experience and skill to my practice, but also genuine compassion for every client and their family.  Each client has unique circumstances and I work with them to provide practical solutions to meet their individual needs.  In my practice, I prefer to take a non-adversarial approach through negotiations, mediation and the Collaborative divorce process to minimize conflict, cost and stress for my clients.

I have been interested in law since I was a child, and to this day enjoy being involved in and contributing to the legal community.  I am a member of the Canadian Bar Association – Family Law Subsection, having previously served on the executive and as co-chair of the section for two years. I am also a member of the B.C. Parenting Coordinators Roster Society and previously sat on its board of directors for a two-year term. In addition, I am a previous author of updates for the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.’s Family Law Practice Manual and have been a member of the Practice Manual’s editorial board.  I have enjoyed speaking at meetings of the Canadian Bar Association and presenting at CLE courses.

Outside of my family law practice I love travelling and exploring new places and people, running and yoga, spending time with family and friends and, after a hard day, unwinding with a glass of wine and a good book.

Mark Chiu^**

I have practiced law in British Columbia since 2014. I use my skills as a negotiator and trial lawyer to solve family law problems. I am also a certified Family Law Mediator.

I became a lawyer after learning during my undergraduate studies in psychology that the most stressful life events are the death of a spouse, divorce, marital separation, and imprisonment. I find purpose and meaning in assisting others through their most difficult and stressful times.

In addition to my involvement in family law cases, I have represented the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and have acted as criminal defence counsel, including in the jury system.

I have experience in family law cases that involve the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

I find the practice of law rewarding. I enjoy putting a “deal” together without the need for judicial intervention. I also enjoy using the formal trial process.

My current family law practice includes:

• division of family property, including assets held by corporations or those held in a trust;
• parenting disputes, including those involving parental alienation or estrangement;
• cases which also intersect the criminal justice system;
• relocation and mobility cases;
• support issues, including imputation or determination of the parties’ income;
• conducting and participating in settlement meetings and mediations; and
• conducting any necessary appeals.

I am an active volunteer for Access Pro Bono. I have also acted as Family Law Duty Counsel for Legal Aid BC.

As it relates to my practice style, my goal is to make decisions like an entrepreneur, prepare and compete like an athlete, and have the soul and integrity of a humanitarian.

During the summer, I am often cycling, paddle boarding, and walking. During the winter, I am often snowboarding. Year-round, my commitment to a yoga practice is deeply rewarding.

I also enjoy indulging in music, spoken audio, and film. I enjoy watching combat sports, basketball, and the Olympics. I prefer to read non-fiction.

I value traditional family values, respecting elders, and caring for the young.

Alison McMeans^**

I know that separation and divorce can be chaotic. It is my goal to see you walk out of my office for the last time with a plan for your family that you designed. With a focus on realistic solutions and a thoughtful approach to problems, my seasoned advice helps guide clients into a future that is much better than the one they are leaving behind.

You know your own family best, which is why I begin by aiming for an out-of-court resolution for my clients through negotiation, mediation, or a collaborative law process. This allows parents to craft their own detailed plans for the rules their family will follow, and lets parties reach property settlements that reflect how the finances worked in their unique partnership.

A considered approach to the negotiation process means that clients are often pleasantly surprised when they are able to reach agreement with their formerly stubborn, unrealistic, and inflexible spouse.

I advise my clients on all areas of family law, such as property division, spousal support, child support, guardianship, and parenting time. Complications regarding businesses, investments, properties, or inheritances often require special attention to the parties’ unique financial situation. When the parties are able to reach a resolution, I prepare detailed separation and cohabitation agreements drafted to protect a client’s interests. I am also a certified Collaborative Law practitioner.

In 2005, I graduated from the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. I was a journalist based in the United Arab Emirates for a number of years before returning to Canada and working at a mid-sized law firm on Vancouver Island. I have been a member of the Law Society of British Columbia since 2016. I have substantial experience in family law, appearing as counsel in cases before the Provincial and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

I enjoy travelling and reading. In my free time, I can often be found cooking with my daughter or taking long walks with my dog.