Business Details
Trusted Litigation Specialists in Vancouver
Richter Trial Lawyers is a litigation-focused law firm with over 25 years of experience in estate, family, and personal injury law. We prioritize client relationships, offering personalized legal strategies tailored to individual needs while maintaining a litigation-ready approach. Our team, led by John M. Richter, has secured landmark verdicts and settlements in British Columbia's courts, including a $4 million jury award in personal injury and precedent-setting estate litigation cases.We distinguish ourselves by avoiding mass settlement practices, instead advocating fiercely for clients through trial preparation and alternative dispute resolution. Our practice extends to construction, contract, and corporate disputes, with a commitment to strategic, practical legal solutions that have earned long-standing client trust.
Services
Estate Litigation
Family Law
Personal Injury
Trust Litigation
Property Division
Highlights and features
- We have secured $4 million jury awards in personal injury and family law trials
- Our firm's McBride v. Voth decision is cited 52 times by BC courts
- We maintain a litigation-ready approach while prioritizing client relationships
- Our team includes designated paralegals and senior associates with niche expertise
- We handle cases from mediation through appellate advocacy in BC courts
What people say
Extraordinary representation
Great legal mind
Compassionate advocacy
Successful outcomes
Longstanding trust
Services
Estate Litigation
Our estate litigation practice handles wills variation claims, executor disputes, and trust challenges. We represent beneficiaries and executors in BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal proceedings. With landmark cases like McBride v. Voth cited 52 times by judges, we combine deep legal knowledge with compassionate advocacy for inheritance disputes and estate administration issues.
Family Law
We specialize in complex family law matters including property division, custody arrangements, and spousal support. Our team has secured precedent-setting decisions in cases like BLS v. DJS across multiple court levels. We balance mediation with aggressive trial advocacy to protect client interests in divorce and separation proceedings.
Personal Injury
Our personal injury practice focuses on brain injuries, chronic pain, and major accident claims. We have recovered millions through trials and settlements against insurance companies. With experience in ICBC claims and catastrophic injury cases, we work with medical experts to ensure full compensation for current and future treatment needs.
People
John M. Richter
Founder and Partner
John Richter established the firm to provide exceptional legal representation outside traditional downtown models. With decades of trial experience in BC courts, he has secured landmark decisions in estate and family law cases while maintaining a client-focused practice.
Kristina Ohrn
Designated Paralegal
Kristina Ohrn brings specialized paralegal expertise to our litigation team. She works closely with clients on estate and family law matters, providing practical legal support throughout the dispute resolution process.
Michael J. Steven
Senior Associate
Michael Steven contributes extensive experience in complex legal disputes. As senior associate, he focuses on advancing client interests through strategic litigation preparation and alternative dispute resolution methods.
Questions
What areas of law does Richter Trial Lawyers specialize in?
We focus on estate litigation, family law, and personal injury claims, with additional expertise in construction, contract, and corporate disputes.
How does your litigation approach benefit clients?
We prepare every case for trial from inception, which strengthens settlement positions while ensuring readiness if court resolution becomes necessary.
Can you handle complex cross-jurisdictional matters?
Yes, we've successfully managed cases involving international clients and complex jurisdictional challenges, including 5,000-mile cross-border disputes.
What experience do you have with appellate advocacy?
Our firm has represented clients before all BC court levels and the Supreme Court of Canada, with cases like Sperring v. Shutiak cited in appellate decisions.
How do you maintain client communication?
We prioritize direct access - clients can speak directly with their lawyer, paralegal, or assistant by first name during business hours.
