Our team of lawyers and paralegals intentionally formed Coal Harbour Law to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Individually, our team members have opened Michelin-starred restaurants, been recognized by their peers with Best Lawyers and Kings’ Counsel designations, opened for the Rolling Stones, served as Directors and senior executives of successful tech companies, taught at some of Canada’s top law schools, immigrated to Canada without a single connection or resource and managed to build fulfilling careers, and achieved countless other feats you wouldn’t expect from a lawyer.
Collectively, our team has poured all of their expertise, time, and commitment into helping our clients build successful businesses, buy their first home, negotiate their first record deal, immigrate to Canada, maximize the impact of their charitable giving, and more.
We have built a firm which is capable of doing more for our clients than any of us could do individually, allowing our firm to achieve exceptional results for our clients, often in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Family disputes are often emotionally charged and legally complex. Our team has years of experience navigating these complex legal issues while empathetically advocating on your behalf.
Divorce
Financial issues resulting from separation
Drafting and negotiating agreements (cohabitation agreements, marriage agreements, and separation agreements)
Guardianship of children
Parenting time and contact (formerly called custody, access, and visitation)
Child and spousal support
Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and the collaborative law process
Appeals from provincial court and supreme court
Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on your big move. We guide you through all the steps and help prepare your applications so that you have the best chance of success.
We provide a full-range of immigration services, including corporate processing, litigation and enforcement.
Work Permit Processing
Litigation Services
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Applications
Business Immigration
Judicial Reviews of Refused Applications
Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) Appeals
Temporary Resident Visas, Work Permit, Study Permits, and Visitors Records
Criminal and Medical Inadmissibility
We get how business works, and our team has decades of experience to keep you moving forward.
We are dedicated to adding maximum value to your enterprise by providing comprehensive legal advice in an accessible and efficient manner.
Corporate governance matters
Share purchase and sale transactions
Asset acquisitions and dispositions
Advice on business structures
Buyout transactions
Counsel to boards, corporate directors and officers
Preparation of shareholder agreements, executive employment agreements and stock option plans
Due diligence and legal audits
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a first time home-buyer, or if it’s a commercial or industrial transaction.
Our extensive expertise allows us to offer comprehensive legal solutions across the entire landscape of real estate transactions.
Conveyancing
Land Assembly & Special Projects
Commercial Leasing
Real Estate Financing Transactions
Assisting Developers
Count on us to protect your interests and aggressively pursue a favorable resolution. Our litigators are experienced in all levels of court and in a wide variety of tribunals and arbitration proceedings.
Corporate and commercial law
Shareholder and partner disputes
Contractual disputes
Debtor and creditor issues (including debt collection)
Officer and director liability
Landlord and tenant disputes
Contested wills
Construction
Intellectual property
Wills variation claims
General civil disputes
Employment disputes
Criminal defence
Cannabis, liquor, and other regulatory
Protection & management of intellectual property rights is vital to the success of your company. We work closely with our clients on the acquisition, protection and exploitation of their intellectual property rights in the information & technology sectors.
We also deal with branding, reputation management, enforcement of IP rights, review and negotiation of commercial agreements (including joint venture agreements, confidentiality agreements, royalty agreements, licensing agreements, etc.), and IP asset transfers in corporate acquisitions, mergers, strategic alliances and other commercial transactions.
Negotiation, preparation and review of commercial agreements, including:
Outsourcing agreements
Procurement processes (including RFPs)
Licensing of trade-mark, copyright, trade secrets and other intellectual property
Software development agreements
Distribution arrangements
Website development and hosting agreements
Consulting/services agreements, etc.
Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
Review and preparation of internal policies related to IP (including, for example, open source software)
Due diligence, IP audits and provision of reports and legal opinions in mergers and acquisitions
IP enforcement and dispute resolution
Managing Partner
Max is a charities and business lawyer focused on helping entrepreneurs, small businesses, charities, and other non-profit entities navigate their legal needs. He assists clients with corporate structuring, commercial transactions, the structuring of charitable gifts and plans, and other regulatory issues. Max prides himself on providing practical, valuable service and is always happy to spend time with new clients to learn more about their businesses or charitable undertakings.
Prior to earning a J.D. from the University of British Columbia, Max obtained a Masters degree from Dalhousie University where he focused on legal philosophy and bioethics. Max also spent several years in the hospitality sector working as an executive chef.
Partner
Nathan is a litigator who maintains a broad, client-centric practice with a concentration in criminal defence. He has extensive experience representing clients who have been charged with various offences including murder, attempted murder, forcible confinement, sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, drug offences (possession for the purpose of trafficking). Nathan often represents individuals involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act.
As a unique part of his practice, Nathan represents clients in cannabis, CBD and THC related businesses. These include cultivators (both LP and Microcultivators), Processors (both Standard and Micro), extraction and derivative companies, vaporizer companies, retail stores/dispensaries and edible companies. Nathan provides general counsel services to these clients; in addition to, specialized advice including: risk management, strategic advice and regulatory compliance. Notably, Nathan was appointed to the Board of Directors of East West Bioscience Ltd. (EAST.V) and continues to advise in this capacity.
In addition to the above, Nathan regularly advises his clients on estates-related matters and has a busy general civil litigation practice.
Nathan regularly appears before the Saskatchewan Provincial Court, BC Provincial Court, Manitoba Provincial Court, British Columbia Supreme Court, British Columbia Court of Appeal and various administrative tribunals including the Mental Health Review Board.
Partner
Richard practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on creating, restructuring, buying and selling businesses.
As co-founder of Twin Sails Brewing (Port Moody), Bar Susu (Vancouver), Novella (Vancouver), MamaSaid Pizza (Port Moody), Published on Main (Vancouver) and other ventures, Richard’s passion for assisting other entrepreneurs realize their full business potential is uniquely paired with his ability to provide legal advice based on the realities of opening and operating a business.
Richard was awarded “2019 Foodie of the Year” by Western Living Magazine for his work in the beer industry and has been recognized by the Vancouver Courier (“Stars of Vancouver”) and Georgia Straight (“Best of Vancouver”) as a top business lawyer in the City. He was voted by the legal industry as a ‘Best Lawyer - Ones to Watch’ for 2023 and one of his restaurants, Published on Main, won Best Restaurant in Canada (Canada’s 100 Best) and one of Vancouver’s first Michelin Stars in 2022. He has particular expertise advising entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry.
Richard lives in North Vancouver with his wife (Sarah) and children Jack and Rosie and enjoys playing the drums, painting, gardening and supporting local restaurants and breweries.
Partner
Mustafa is a corporate and commercial lawyer who provides strategic advice to business owners, entrepreneurs, and private and public companies. Mustafa has extensive transactional and advisory experience assisting clients with a wide range of legal issues, including start-up and incorporation issues, shareholders’ agreements, corporate governance matters, corporate restructuring, succession planning, contract review and preparation, and business purchase and sale transactions. Mustafa has particular passion in assisting clients raise funds for operational growth through private investment, debt financing, venture capital financing and “go public” transactions and has successfully guided his clients in raising over $100 million.
As a trusted legal advisor, Mustafa ensures that he takes the time to understand the vision and goals of his clients, including any exit goals and timeframes. By obtaining a thorough understanding of his clients’ vision and goals, Mustafa is able to provide his clients with effective and comprehensive legal strategies, which address the practical day-to-day realities of operating a business, while taking into account the clients’ current and future goals.
In addition to assisting his own clients, Mustafa has helped guide and pass on his knowledge to local entrepreneurs as a mentor and judge in connection with New Venture BC’s annual innovation competition.
Mustafa is also qualified in England and Wales having started his legal career in 2010. Prior to moving to Vancouver in 2016, he was Partner and Head of Department at a full service firm.
Outside of office, Mustafa can usually be found in his kitchen testing out new recipes, at a local restaurant or traveling to his next destination.
Partner
Johanna Stein has practiced exclusively in the field of family law for more than 10 years. Johanna supports her clients in all areas of family law, including those relating to children, support, property division, and drafting marriage and separation agreements.
As an accredited family law mediator and collaborative law professional, Johanna strives to resolve her clients’ matters out of court whenever possible. To learn more about alternatives to litigation, please visit the Collaborative Roster Society and Mediate B.C. websites.
Johanna has significant litigation experience and has advocated for clients at all levels of court in British Columbia, representing their interests in matters such as parenting disputes, property division claims, mobility issues, support claims, and guardianship applications. Links to some of her published decisions are set out below.
Johanna has influenced Canadian divorce law with her work on Dedes v. Dedes, a Court of Appeal case which clarifies the material change of circumstances test when seeking to vary orders made under the Divorce Act.
Johanna is committed to making family law advice and out of court resolutions accessible to the public. To that end, she regularly presents on family law topics at workshops and events in Vancouver, is an editor for CLE BC’s family law publications, and conducts pro bono mediations through the BC Supreme Court referral program.
Partner
Kaajal leads the real estate team at Coal Harbour Law. She is an experienced lawyer who assists with all real estate matters ranging from first-time home purchasers to complex commercial real estate development projects.
Over her nearly twenty years of full-time practice, she has acted for thousands of home buyers, real estate developers, strata corporations, non-profit entities, and other stakeholders.
Kaajal takes a great deal of pride in always achieving the best results for her clients and completing transactions that other lawyers have labeled impossible.
Counsel
Shira is a business and commercial lawyer with extensive experience advising and representing technology companies.
She regularly negotiates, drafts, and advises on SaaS Agreements, EULAs, privacy matters, data security issues, and website terms and conditions. She also negotiates a wide range of agreements for technology, e-commerce, and retail clients, including marketing, sales and vendor agreements, hospitality, MSAs and SOWs, intellectual property and trade secret protection, and inbound SaaS agreements. Outside of her tech practice, Shira advises on general corporate and commercial matters including privacy law compliance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial real estate.
Prior to moving to Vancouver, Shira practiced law in the United States where she negotiated and drafted contracts on behalf of a large publicly traded cloud-based software company with global operations. She enjoys working with startups, high growth, and established companies alike.
Counsel
Bob has been involved in the entertainment industry for thirty years as a lawyer, author (“A Career in Music: the Other 12 Step Program”), two time JUNO Award nominated recording artist (Rymes with Orange and Mythos), studio owner, label and music publisher (Adagio Music Inc.).
Bob’s legal practice is primarily focused on music and new media law. He provides experience, industry knowledge and a wealth of information on the music and new media industries for new artists and established industry professionals and companies. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2022 for his work in the field.
For fourteen years (2001-2015), Bob was also the CEO and executive director of the Music BC Industry Association, a non-profit society dedicated to the development of music and the music industry in BC.
Bob has served on the boards of CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) and CCMIA (Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations). Bob was the Past-President and founding director of the Western Canadian Music Alliance (BreakOut West and WCMAs). He has also served on FACTOR’s National Advisory Board (past chair). Bob was the executive chair of the Host Committee for the Vancouver 2009 JUNO Awards.
Bob is currently serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the constituency of Maple Ridge – Mission (2017 to present). He served as Chair of the Select Standing Committee for Finance and Government Services (2017-2020), Member of Legislative Review Committee (Cabinet Committee 2017-2020), Government Caucus Chair (2020-2021), Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film (2020-present) and Treasury Board (Cabinet Committee 2020-present).
Associate
Andrea is a commercial and civil litigator with extensive experience handling construction matters, shareholder disputes, and real estate litigation. She is a relentless advocate for her clients and focuses on finding practical, cost-effective solutions to their legal and business issues.
Upon being engaged, Andrea will take the time to understand her client's issues and circumstances, determine and clearly communicate their options, and then tirelessly work towards delivering the client's chosen plan. She prides herself on clear, plain-language, and timely communication.
Andrea received law degrees from both the University of Ottawa and the University of New Brunswick. She has experience acting on matters in various levels of Court including the Provincial Court of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court of Appeal.
Associate
Anisha is a lawyer specializing in corporate, commercial and real estate law. She works with clients on a wide range of corporate transactions, company registrations, contractual issues, and both commercial and residential real estate matters.
Anisha also has experience with commercial and real estate litigation and has appeared before Provincial and Supreme Court.
Prior to obtaining her professional designation, Anisha worked as an operations manager for a mid-sized business, overseeing a team of employees and managing the day-to-day sales forecasting, compliance and strategic development of the organization. Anisha brings her first-hand knowledge and experience from the business world to provide innovative legal advice that is both prudent and practical to client objectives.
While attending law school, she consistently sought out opportunities to challenge herself and broaden her legal skillset. During her time at Thompson Rivers University, she participated as an oralist for the Donald G.H Bowman National Tax Moot and led the 2019 Law Student Conference.
Anisha has proudly participated in numerous volunteer programs offering her insight and expertise to various community outreach groups. She is especially passionate about the role of minority women in the legal field and hopes to expand her involvement with organizations promoting equality and inclusion.
Anisha is fluent in English, French, and Punjabi. In her spare time, Anisha enjoys pilates, interior design, and checking out different brunch spots in the city.
Associate
Cole is an associate lawyer in the corporate and commercial group at Coal Harbour Law.
Cole joined Coal Harbour Law after practicing at a national law firm in its Vancouver office. Called to the bar in 2022, Cole specializes in corporate and commercial work. Cole has worked on a variety of corporate transactions, acquisitions, mergers, financings, and other contractual matters.
Cole also has wide-ranging experience with commercial litigation, representing clients in domestic and multi-national arbitration proceedings, and has appeared before the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Cole received his Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia. While attending law school, he participated in the Business Law Clinic and represented his school in the Ian Fletcher International Insolvency Law Moot and the B.C. Law Schools Moot, winning the latter. Cole previously completed his Bachelor of Political Science from the University of Calgary.
In his spare time, Cole enjoys golf, cycling, Muay Thai and jiu jitsu.
Associate
Isha joined Coal Harbour Law in 2023 as a family law associate with experience in all aspects of family law, including matters relating to property and debt division, child and spousal support, parenting arrangements, and adoption.
Isha has appeared regularly in the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia but is practical and settlement focused; she prioritizes resolving matters outside of court wherever possible.
In her spare time, Isha enjoys spending time with her dog and exploring new restaurants. She is able to assist clients in Hindi and Punjabi.
Associate
Justin is an associate with the litigation group at Coal Harbour Law. Justin assists clients with their legal issues across a range of areas, including general civil litigation, commercial and contract litigation, and criminal defense. Justin has a passion for justice, diversity, and advocacy.
Prior to joining Coal Harbour Law, Justin articled with a boutique litigation law firm, where he independently managed files and often appeared at hearings. Justin received his Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria in 2022. Justin previously completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
In his spare time, Justin enjoys playing the drums, basketball, and board games.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Jennie is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and the Practice Manager of our Immigration Department.
Originally from Ireland, Jennie understands the immigration process from both sides having navigated the immigration process herself and strives to use that experience to assist clients in achieving their immigration goals.
Jennie manages the day-to-day running of our busy dynamic practice and is known for always being up to date on new immigration polices and procedures. Jennie has a passion for current affairs and international politics - and keeps a keen eye on evolving world events that may affect our international clients and their immigration strategies.
Jennie uses her vast experience in the areas of banking, insolvency and corporate litigation, and other practice areas to help create client-focused solutions to complex immigration issues.
Jennie works with clients on a range of applications including: Study Permits, Work Permits, Permanent Residence, Business Immigration, Citizenship Matters, Family Sponsorship, Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications. She is looking forward to obtaining the RCIC Immigration Refugee Board specialization designation in the near future.
Outside of work Jennie is involved with local sports clubs and is a community triathlon coach.
