Overview
MacLean Law is a top-tier Western Canadian boutique family law litigation firm that has focused on complex, high-stakes family law matters since 1983. The firm's practice is centered on ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) cases involving sophisticated financial structures, international assets, jurisdictional disputes, and complex legal issues. With a team of 18 lawyers, MacLean Law represents entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, executives, and other high-net-worth individuals in matters relating to separation, divorce, child and spousal support, the division of worldwide family property and business interests, marriage and cohabitation agreements, and international family law disputes.
The firm's experience extends to the identification, valuation, and division of a broad range of assets and financial interests, including privately held businesses, professional practices, pensions, stock options, investments, trusts, and overseas holdings. MacLean Law regularly represents clients in negotiated settlements, mediations, interim applications, trials, and appeals. The firm is also home to one of Canada's largest family law teams with Mandarin and Cantonese language capabilities, enabling it to serve a diverse international clientele.
MacLean Law has earned a reputation for handling some of the most complex and precedent-setting family law matters in Canada. Founding partner Lorne MacLean, K.C., has appeared twice before the Supreme Court of Canada, a distinction achieved by few family law practitioners. Partner Fraser MacLean gained national attention for exposing Canada's first reported legal AI "hallucination" in court proceedings.
MacLean Law is recognized by Best Lawyers through the inclusion of Lorne MacLean, K.C. in the area of Family Law. The firm's relationship with Best Lawyers began in 2026. Recognition through Best Lawyers' peer-review process reflects the respect and confidence that fellow legal professionals place in the firm's expertise, advocacy, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients facing significant family law disputes.
Rankings
Regional
Vancouver
Firm Leadership
Rankings
Regional
Vancouver
Practice Areas
- Estate
- Family Law
- Family Law Arbitration
- Nicholas Davies (Vancouver)
- Catherine Fox, K.C. (Calgary)
- Family Law Mediation
- Nicholas Davies (Vancouver)
- Catherine Fox, K.C. (Calgary)
- International Custody
- Wills
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™
Firm News
Awards
Offices & Contacts
Significant Matters
- Madsen v. MacNutt, 2026 BCSC 1800
Oral Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/26/18/2026BCSC1800.htm
- Chau v. Tsang, 2026 BCSC 645
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/26/06/2026BCSC0645.htm
- Fleury v. Budd, 2025 BCSC 2035
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/25/20/2025BCSC2035.htm
- S.S.C.M. v. A.C.W., 2025 BCSC 1331
Oral Reasons for Judgment (Territorial Jurisdiction for Parenting Dispute)
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/25/13/2025BCSC1331.htm
- Nordine v. Nordine, 2025 BCSC 829
Oral Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/25/08/2025BCSC0829.htm
- W.A.K. v. C.R.A.M., 2024 BCSC 2009
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/24/20/2024BCSC2009cor1.htm
- S.S.C.M. v. A.C.W., 2024 BCSC 1694
Reasons for Judgment (Recognition of Extra-Provincial Relocation Order)
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/24/16/2024BCSC1694cor1.htm
- Zhang v. Chen, 2024 BCSC 285
Ruling on Costs
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/24/02/2024BCSC0285cor1.htm
- Hazen v. Hazen, 2022 BCSC 1900
Oral Reasons
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/22/19/2022BCSC1900cor1.htm
- Tianyun Xu v. Yuenyuen Hu, et al., 2021 CanLII 91060 (SCC)
Supreme Court of Canada Judgement
https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-l-csc-a/en/item/18998/index.do
- K.K.R. v. J.S.R., 2021 BCSC 104
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/21/01/2021BCSC0104cor1.htm
- Devathasan v. Devathasan, 2019 BCSC 661
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/19/06/2019BCSC0661.htm
- Li v. Rao, 2018 BCSC 142
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/18/01/2018BCSC0142.htm
- Devathasan v. Devathasan, 2017 BCSC 1010
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/17/10/2017BCSC1010cor1.htm
- Wang v. Jiang, 2016 BCSC 2461
Oral Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/16/24/2016BCSC2461.htm
- Lightle v. Kotar, 2014 BCCA 69
Reasons for Judgment
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/CA/14/00/2014BCCA0069cor1.htm
- Leskun v. Leskun, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 920, 2006 SCC 25
Reasons for Judgment
https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2298/index.do
- Young v. Young, [1993] 4 S.C.R. 3
Supreme Court of Canada Judgment
https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/1070/index.do