Nancy Chen

Nancy Chen stands out not only for her legal acumen but also for her deep commitment to her clients' well-being. Since earning her stripes at the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts and later, a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria, Nancy has dedicated her career to navigating the complexities of family law. Her admission to the British Columbia Bar in 2012 marked the beginning of a career characterized by compassion, skill, and a drive to minimize conflict for those undergoing the strains of legal family disputes.

Focusing exclusively on family law, Nancy has built a reputation for her thorough and thoughtful representation in both the British Columbia Provincial Court and Supreme Court. Her legal prowess spans a broad spectrum of family law matters, including but not limited to, the intricacies of divorce, the equitable division of property and debts, and the sensitive areas of child support, spousal support, custody, guardianship, and relocation issues.

Nancy's proficiency extends beyond the courtroom. Recognizing the toll that legal disputes can take, financially and emotionally, particularly when children are involved, she actively pursues out-of-court resolutions. Through negotiation and mediation, she has successfully guided numerous clients towards settlements that are not only fair but also crafted to uphold the family's best interests. Certified as a mediator by the Law Society of British Columbia, Nancy leverages her skills to forge agreements that are both lasting and conducive to the well-being of all parties involved.

Fluent in both English and Mandarin-Chinese, Nancy bridges language barriers, ensuring her services are accessible to a broader community. Her approach to family law is deeply personal. She views her role not just as a lawyer but as a trusted steward of her clients' futures, aiming to safeguard what matters most to them during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

In 2017, propelled by a vision to offer more holistic and client-centered legal services, Nancy co-founded Catalyst Legal. This venture was born out of her observations of the often devastating financial and emotional consequences of protracted court battles. She sought to create a practice that not only champions the legal interests of clients but also supports their overall well-being, prioritizes their families, and mitigates costs wherever possible.

Echoing the sentiments of Justice Harvey Brownstone, Nancy is acutely aware of the pyrrhic nature of family court victories. She advocates for mediation as a superior alternative, one that fosters a spirit of cooperation, prioritizes the needs of children, and yields agreements that stand the test of time. Her belief in mediation stems from her extensive experience and success in this arena, where she has witnessed firsthand its capacity to resolve disputes amicably and sustainably, preserving family relationships in the process.

Through her work, Nancy embodies the ethos of a family lawyer who transcends the traditional confines of legal practice, championing a path that seeks not just legal resolutions but healing and forward movement for the families she serves.