Business Details
26 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Services in Victoria, BC
Established in 2000, Beacon Law Centre is a client-focused law firm dedicated to delivering high-quality legal services in British Columbia. With three offices in Victoria, Sidney, and Brentwood Bay, we specialize in business law, real estate transactions, estate planning, and probate administration. Our team of experienced lawyers and legal assistants prioritize plain-language communication, transparent fixed-fee pricing, and personalized service to ensure clients receive trusted advice and exceptional outcomes. Recognized as a multi-year winner of the Victoria Times Colonist and Peninsula News Review Readers Choice Awards, we combine decades of collective legal expertise with a commitment to community service.Our mission is to help clients navigate significant life eventswhether business growth, property transactions, or family planningwith confidence and clarity. We achieve this through proactive client education, comprehensive legal strategies, and a dedication to resolving complex matters efficiently while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Services
Business Law
Real Estate
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Trademark Applications
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer fixed-fee pricing with no hourly billing surprises
- Our team provides plain-language legal explanations without jargon
- Multi-award-winning firm with 24 years of local expertise
- Three convenient office locations serving Greater Victoria
- Recognized as Victoria's #1 law firm for six consecutive years
What people say
Trusted advice
Outstanding service
Prompt responses
Plain language explanations
Exceptional transaction experiences
Services
Business Law
Our business law services cover entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, and corporate governance. We help entrepreneurs establish corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships with tailored structures that minimize tax liabilities and legal risks. Our team prepares shareholder agreements, partnership arrangements, and commercial contracts while providing ongoing compliance support through our proprietary corporate records management system.
Real Estate
We specialize in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including purchase agreements, title transfers, and mortgage registrations. Our services protect client interests during property acquisitions, address GST and property transfer tax implications, and ensure compliance with British Columbia's Homeowner Protection Act. We provide clear guidance on contract terms, title searches, and post-closing obligations for buyers and sellers.
Estate Planning
Our comprehensive estate planning includes will preparation, power of attorney documents, and representation agreements. We help clients minimize probate fees, address potential estate claims under the Wills Variation Act, and create strategies for intergenerational wealth transfer. Services also cover living wills, guardianship appointments, and incapacity planning to ensure clients' wishes are legally protected.
Probate Administration
We assist executors with probate applications, estate administration, and resolution of estate claims under British Columbia's Wills, Estates and Succession Act. Our services include preparing necessary court documents, addressing creditor claims, and guiding personal representatives through the distribution of assets while minimizing tax implications and potential disputes.
Trademark Applications
We provide trademark registration services to protect business brands and intellectual property. Our process includes conducting trademark searches, preparing application documents, and advising on proper trademark usage to maintain legal protection. This service helps businesses establish and defend their brand identity in commercial markets.
People
Del Elgersma
Founding Lawyer
Called to the BC bar in 1992, Del Elgersma co-founded Beacon Law Centre in 1999. With over 30 years of legal experience, he specializes in real estate and business law, combining technical expertise with client-focused service. Recognized for community leadership and legal innovation.
Lianne Macdonald
Founding Lawyer
A 1991 law graduate, Lianne Macdonald brings three decades of legal expertise to Beacon Law Centre. Her practice focuses on estate planning and real estate transactions, emphasizing clear communication and practical solutions. She has been instrumental in developing the firm's client education initiatives.
Joshua Steeper
Business Law Specialist
Joshua Steeper joined Beacon Law Centre in 2023, bringing specialized expertise in corporate law and business transactions. With a commerce background and legal training, he advises entrepreneurs on business structure optimization, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate compliance matters.
Andrew Pike
Legal Counsel
Andrew Pike joined the firm in 2024, expanding its legal service capabilities. He provides comprehensive legal advice across multiple practice areas, maintaining the firm's tradition of plain-language communication and client-focused service delivery.
Karl Maier
Estate Planning Lawyer
TEP-designated lawyer Karl Maier specializes in complex estate planning and trust administration. Since joining in 2019, he has helped clients implement tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies while ensuring compliance with evolving estate laws in British Columbia.
Questions
What areas of law does Beacon Law Centre specialize in?
We focus on business law, real estate transactions, estate planning, and probate administration, with additional services in trademark applications and strata matters.
How are legal fees structured at Beacon Law Centre?
We use fixed-fee pricing for most services rather than hourly billing, providing upfront cost estimates to ensure transparency and budget certainty for clients.
Can I create a legally valid will without in-person meetings?
While we recommend in-person consultations for estate planning, we can accommodate remote arrangements with proper identification verification and document execution protocols.
Do you offer commercial lease review services?
Yes, our business law team provides comprehensive commercial lease reviews, explaining key terms and obligations in plain language to protect business interests.
How do I transfer property title after a family member's death?
We assist with probate applications and title transfers, guiding executors through BC's legal requirements for property transfer after death while minimizing tax implications.
Can you act as registered office for extra-provincial corporations?
Yes, we provide registered office services for out-of-province corporations operating in BC, including maintaining corporate records and receiving official notices.
