We can arrange consultations with our lawyers in any of our locations in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, or Langley.  We do not offer free consultations; however, we feel there is very good value in our consultations, as this gives our lawyers the opportunity to speak with you to obtain a good understanding of the facts, review any documentation you provide, and to give you the advice you need to either handle things on your own from that point forward or, if you choose to retain us to help you after the consultation, we would be happy to do this as well.

If you choose to retain us, our lawyers will provide you with a good understanding of our billing practices, procedure, etc.  You will also be provided with our firm’s Terms of Engagement letter which will clearly set out how our firm’s billing practices.

Our lawyers are also experienced at

• Drafting employment contracts, that include non-competition clauses, non-solicitation clauses, confidentiality provisions, non-disclosure agreements, severance limits and stock options;
• Writing detailed workplace policies and policy manuals
• Advising clients on their rights and responsibilities related to their employment, human rights and accommodation issues, health and safety standards, benefits and pension plans
• Preparing and interpreting workplace policies
• Conducting training and workplace investigations, in the areas of fraud, human rights and harassment
• Litigating at all levels of court and various administrative tribunals with respect to wrongful dismissals, constructive dismissals, just cause dismissals, human rights, labour relations, employment standards, Worksafe (workers compensation) and occupational health and safety

Our lawyers have successfully represented clients on employment-related matters before the courts, the Employment Standards Branch, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Workers Compensation Board, the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal, and the Labour Relations Board.
If you require assistance with an employment related matter, please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

Our lawyers have helped many clients with Human Rights Claims, whether they arise under the Human Rights Code or the Canadian Human Rights Act. If you feel that you have been discriminated against or that you have not been adequately accommodated, Sorensen Smith LLP’s experienced legal counsel are prepared to advise you on your options and the best route forward.

Likewise, if you find yourself having to defend a Human Rights Complaint, we can help you reach a resolution, whether it is by negotiation, mediation, arbitration or a hearing.

If you require assistance with a human rights related matter, please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, we can advise you with respect to your workplace situation. Our lawyers have experience representing clients at the BC Labour Relations Board, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, the Federal Public Sector and Employment Board, and through arbitrations or grievances.

We have assisted employers dealing with unionization and negotiating new collective agreements. We have also assisted individuals with their rights and obligations in a unionized work environment.

If you find yourself facing a labour matter and you want advice on your options, please contact us today for a consultation.

Workplace investigations can be an important tool for discovering problems and preventing their reoccurrence. Whether performed internally or externally, addressing matters of workplace misconduct such as, violations of employer policies, ethical violations, fraud, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and violence, job performance, workplace safety and or whistleblowing allegations can be a very complex undertaking.

As a human resources professional, business owner, manager, or in-house counsel, the responsibility for overseeing a workplace investigation may fall on your shoulders. A workplace investigation can appear daunting on its own, especially when one considers all the procedural requirements involved. Add to this the expectations from courts, tribunals and adjudicators, and you may feel overwhelmed by all the demands placed upon you.

Selecting a competent investigator is critically important. A botched investigation can result in liability and further issues for an employer. The main objective of any investigation should be to provide a sound and factual basis for management to make decisions.

Should you require assistance with an investigation, the employment law experts at Sorensen Smith LLP are here to help.

Debt collection and foreclosure

Our lawyers have years of experience aiding clients with debt collection matters.

Whether you have loaned money and are not being repaid, or you have provided services without payment, we are prepared to assist you with your collection matter. We have helped numerous creditors collect outstanding debts through court actions, garnishing orders, writs of seizure, writs of possession, examinations in aid of execution, payment hearings, subpoenas to debtors, the registration of judgments, the use of receivers and the seizure and sale of assets. Where appropriate, we will also aid clients with the filing of liens against land or assets.

We have experience handling foreclosure matters from start to finish. As obtaining the reimbursement of legal costs in foreclosure matters is often limited, we strive to provide lenders with cost-effective legal representation from judgment on an Order Nisi to an order approving a sale of land. We have successfully represented numerous lenders through the foreclosure process.

If you have a judgment in a foreign jurisdiction, we have experience advising you on how to enforce that judgment in British Columbia. We can advise you of your options and on what steps are available to you to registered and enforce your judgment in British Columbia.

Additionally, our lawyers have experience advising debtors regarding their creditors. We regularly assist debtors through negotiation, and where necessary, representing them in court.

Whether you are a creditor, or a debtor, we will work with you to find the most cost-effective solution to your collection matter. Please contact us today.

Business Disputes (shareholder and partnership disputes)

Like any relationship, the co-owners or partners of a business may find themselves in a dispute or disagreement. Unfortunately, such disputes or disagreements often hinder a business’s operations and eventual success. In many instances, the business cannot continue to operate in its current form and a solution must be reached, drastically changing the ownership of the business. In some cases, a disagreement or dispute can result in the business ceasing to operate altogether, leaving a question of what happens to the assets and liabilities of the business. Our experienced team can help you to resolve these matters.

We have successfully represented clients in shareholder or partnership disputes before the courts and have advised numerous clients on shareholder agreements and oppression claims. We will pursue avenues of mediation and arbitration in an attempt to resolve matters.

If you require assistance with a business dispute, please contact us today to set up a consultation.

We work with a wide range of clients to resolve disputes involving land and real estate transactions. Our lawyers can help you to answer your questions regarding your real estate dispute, and to plot your best course forward.

Perhaps you are dealing with issues arising from a contract of purchase and sale, or you’ve purchased a property and something is different from what you were told before purchasing? Perhaps a sale has fallen through, and there is a dispute about who is entitled to the deposit? Whatever your situation, we can advise you on the options you have available. Contact us for a consultation.

Lease disputes

Commercial leases can be complicated and complex and can often lead to lease and tenant disputes. Not only do leases often contain language that can be hard to understand, there is also ample case law dealing with how leases are interpreted and applied. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, we can clarify matters, and advise you on your options and help you come to a resolution.

We have successfully represented both landlords and tenants in court, and where needed, we have engaged bailiffs to help resolve lease disputes.

Additionally, our team has also represented landlords and tenants dealing with residential tenancy matters. We have helped clients come to resolutions under the Residential Tenancy Act, and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.

Construction disputes and builders liens

The lawyers at Sorensen Smith LLP have advised a wide range of clients on matters related to construction dispute and builders liens.

Whether you are dealing with deficient or defective work or perhaps construction delays, we are prepared to assist you.

We also regularly represent clients who have not been paid for their work. If you haven’t been paid for your work, we can advise you on cost-effective solutions to seek repayment and advise you on how to maximize your recovery.

We also regularly assist clients with the filing and removal of builders liens according to the Builders Lien Act. If you are considering the filing of a builders lien, you should act quickly. There are short timelines in which a builders lien must be filed, and if those timelines are not followed, the security for a claim can be lost. Even after a builders lien has been filed, there are timelines for commencing a court proceeding and filing a Certificate of Pending Litigation.

If you find yourself dealing with a construction claim or builders lien matter, contact us today for a consultation.

Strata and Neighbour Disputes

Our lawyers have significant experience advising clients on strata matters and disputes between neighbours.

The Strata Property Act governs most Strata Corporations in British Columbia. Unfortunately, many strata corporations and developers find it difficult to understand and comply with the Act. We can help advise you on these matters, and how to reach appropriate solutions.

Owners of property within a strata plan must pay strata fees to the strata corporation. Where strata fees are not paid, strata corporations can file a lien on the Property, and even pursue a foreclosure of the property. We have successfully represented strata corporations in collecting strata fees. From filing a lien to seeking a sale of the subject property, our lawyers are prepared to advise you.

Many individuals often find themselves dissatisfied with the decisions or governance of their Strata Corporation. At the same time, most individuals are unaware of the options available to them under the Strata Property Act. Clients often have options available to them to dispute decisions of the Strata Corporation. Our lawyers can advise you on those options. 

Poetry may say that “good fences make good neighbours” – unfortunately, in practice, good fences frequently are not enough to make good neighbours. Disputes between neighbours can arise from the use of land, construction, noise, odours, and the flow of water, spills or easements. We have advised numerous clients on matters related to their neighbours – whether the neighbour in question is residential, commercial or institutional, we can help you.

If you require assistance with a strata or neighbour dispute, please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

Has your insurance claim been denied? Insurance policies are seldom straightforward. The policy itself usually has numerous exclusions, exemptions and exceptions limiting the availability of insurance. Unfortunately, the language on these exclusions, exemptions and exceptions is normally vague and open to interpretation. Further, legislation and case law influences the law that applies to insurance claims. We have advised numerous clients on insurance matters.

If you find yourself unable to reach a suitable resolution with your insurer, contact us today for a consultation.

We advise and represent clients on a wide range of non-contentious family law matters. Our lawyers are well versed in drafting prenuptial agreements, marriage agreements, co-habitation agreements, and separation agreements. We have also assisted numerous clients in obtaining a divorce.

Our goal is to guide our clients toward a suitable and efficient resolution of their matter.

We also offer our clients services in relation to adoption matters. Our lawyers are available to assist with adoptions of children by stepparents and relatives.

If you require assistance with a family law or adoption matter, please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

At Sorensen Smith LLP we have years of experience in Wills & Estate Planning.

Our approach is simple. We focus on our client and ensure their wills are in order and their estate planning is properly distributed to their loved ones (or intended beneficiaries). Take comfort in knowing you are in good hands at Sorensen Smith LLP.

If you require assistance Will or Estate Planning, please contact us today to set up an initial consultation.