Business Details
41 Years
experience
Family Law Services in Victoria, B.C.
Brown Henderson Melbye is a full-service family law firm based in Victoria, British Columbia, with a legacy of experience and innovation spanning over four decades. Founded in 1985, our firm has been instrumental in shaping family law practices in BC through pioneering approaches such as mediation, collaborative law, and child interviews. Our team of seven lawyers, collectively boasting over 125 years of experience, provides tailored legal solutions for clients navigating complex family law challenges, including divorce, child custody, property division, and elder law.We prioritize minimizing conflict, fostering communication, and protecting the best interests of children, while maintaining a strong commitment to community service through partnerships with over 20 local and international organizations. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our leadership roles within the legal profession and our recognition through awards such as the Law Society of BC's Excellence in Family Law Award.
Services
Family Law
Mediation
Collaborative Law
Estate Planning
Child Custody
Divorce
Arbitration
Parenting Coordination
Elder Law
Adoption
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of specialized family law experience.
- Our team includes seven lawyers with diverse expertise in complex cases.
- We pioneered collaborative law and child interview methodologies in BC.
- We maintain a strong commitment to community service through 20+ partnerships.
- Our lawyers hold leadership roles in legal professional organizations.
Associations and certifications
- King's Counsel (KC)
Services
Family Law
Our family law services address divorce, separation, child custody, and property division. We provide compassionate, client-focused representation to resolve disputes while prioritizing children's well-being. Our team's decades of experience ensures tailored solutions for complex family dynamics.
Mediation Services
Mediation offers a collaborative alternative to court proceedings. Our certified mediators facilitate constructive dialogue between parties to reach mutually acceptable agreements. This process reduces stress, preserves relationships, and often results in faster, more cost-effective resolutions for families.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative law involves joint problem-solving with legal professionals and specialists. We guide clients through structured negotiations without court intervention. This method emphasizes transparency and cooperation, particularly beneficial for high-conflict cases or complex financial arrangements.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create comprehensive legal frameworks for asset distribution and healthcare directives. We help clients draft wills, power of attorney documents, and advanced care directives to ensure their wishes are honored during incapacity or after death.
Child Custody
We specialize in developing child-centered custody solutions. Our approach considers each family's unique circumstances while adhering to legal standards. Services include parenting coordination, child interviews, and creating enforceable custody agreements that prioritize children's long-term well-being.
People
Trudi Brown K.C.
Partner
Trudi Brown KC, founder of Brown Henderson Melbye, has practiced family law in BC since 1974. She received the Law Society of BC's first Excellence in Family Law Award in 2017 and continues to shape legal practices through mediation and child advocacy.
Kay Melbye
Partner
Kay Melbye specializes in family law litigation and collaborative practice. With over 20 years of experience, she focuses on complex property division, child custody matters, and estate litigation, bringing extensive courtroom expertise to client cases.
Shauna Tucker
Partner
Shauna Tucker combines family and elder law expertise with 25+ years of legal experience. A former national law firm attorney, she specializes in alternative dispute resolution methods and has represented clients in complex family law cases across British Columbia.
Samantha Rapoport
Partner
Samantha Rapoport focuses on practical solutions for family transitions, including divorce and child custody matters. She began her career at Brown Henderson Melbye as a law student and now provides strategic legal counsel grounded in real-world family dynamics.
Carli Ziegler
Partner
Carli Ziegler brings international family law experience from South Africa to her practice in Victoria. Called to the BC Bar in 2019, she handles cohabitation agreements, separation cases, and wills, combining global perspective with local legal expertise.
Questions
What family law services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive family law services including divorce, child custody, property division, mediation, collaborative law, adoption, and elder law matters.
How can I start the legal process?
Begin by completing our online client intake questionnaire or contacting our office to schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced lawyers.
Do you handle court cases or focus on alternative dispute resolution?
We offer both litigation services and alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and collaborative law to suit different client needs.
Can children testify in family law trials?
Judges rarely allow minor children to testify directly. We focus on protecting children's interests through alternative evidence presentation methods during proceedings.
Do you offer estate planning services?
Yes, we provide estate planning services including wills, power of attorney documents, and advanced care directives to protect your family's future.
How do you handle child custody disputes?
We prioritize children's best interests through parenting coordination, child interviews, and evidence-based custody agreement development tailored to each family's unique situation.
