Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia
L.L.B., University of British Columbia, 2007
Nathan Muirhead has over 14 years of experience practicing law in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over this time, he has advised hundreds of individuals and corporate clients involved in civil litigation. His practice focuses on contract disputes, breaches of trust, fraud, commercial lease disputes, defamation, estate litigation, professional negligence, and construction disputes.
Throughout his career, Nathan has appeared for clients at all levels of court in British Columbia including the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and administrative tribunals.
Nathan is known for his tenacity, strategic planning, and critical thinking. His modern approach to handling cases has helped him advocate for his clients, assert their rights and resolve disputes favourably. He conducts his practice with passion and a deep understanding of the law; factors that have driven his high success rate and earned his clients’ trust.
In 2020, Nathan was placed as a finalist in the 2020 Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40.
Education
Law Society of British Columbia, 2009
L.L.B., University of British Columbia, 2007
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2016
Law Society of Ontario, 2016
J.D, University of Ottawa
B.A (Communication), Simon Fraser University
Nerissa Yan is one of the few Mandarin-speaking civil/commercial litigation lawyers in Vancouver. She is sought after by domestic and international clients, as well as her colleagues in the legal profession.
Nerissa represents both corporate and individual clients on civil and commercial litigation matters. Her litigation practice is wide-ranging with a focus on complex disputes, including contractual disputes, shareholders’ disputes, creditor/debtor remedies, real estate and strata disputes, construction disputes, commercial leases, fraud, professional negligence, estate litigation, foreclosure proceedings, and defamation. Over the years, Nerissa has developed a niche practice of enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards in British Columbia.
In administrative and regulatory proceedings, Nerissa represents clients before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, the Employment Standards Branch, the Residential Tenancy Branch, the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, the Law Society of British Columbia, and the Architect Institute of British Columbia, among other administrative, regulatory and professional disciplinary bodies.
Nerissa provides legal services in both English and Mandarin Chinese, and speaks conversational Japanese. Her understanding of cultural nuances that can underpin a dispute truly sets her apart.
Nerissa is admitted to practice law in British Columbia. She has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
In 2020, Nerissa was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in the Young Influencer Category. Nerissa Yan is recognized by Best Lawyers as Ones to Watch 2024.
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2016
Law Society of Ontario, 2016
J.D, University of Ottawa
B.A (Communication), Simon Fraser University
Credentials
Cambridge University (Trinity Hall) – LL.M.
University of Victoria – LL.B
University of British Columbia – B.A. (English Lit.)
Professional Activities & Memberships
Law Society of British Columbia, 1987
Member, Canadian Bar Association
CLE lecturer (Securities Litigation; Forestry Litigation)
Volunteer Lecturer – Professional Legal Training Course (Civil Advocacy)
Volunteer Legal Advisor (Access Pro Bono, public legal advice clinic)
John Forstrom is a commercial litigation lawyer with over 35 years’ experience advising and representing a wide variety of clients, including individuals, small businesses, public and private corporations and their directors, financial institutions, industry associations and regulatory bodies. He has represented his clients in proceedings before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as in mediations, arbitrations, and before the BC Securities Commission and other administrative tribunals.
He has extensive experience advising his clients in relation to a broad range of legal issues and disputes, including commercial disputes; corporate governance and shareholder disputes; contract and negligence claims; insolvency and collections matters; real property disputes; estates and trusts litigation; broker-client disputes; wrongful dismissal matters; and professional discipline proceedings before various regulatory bodies (including IIROC, the MFDA and the Law Society). John also has extensive experience dealing with disputes in the logging industry under the system of mediation and arbitration established by the Forest Act.
Credentials
Cambridge University (Trinity Hall) – LL.M.
University of Victoria – LL.B
University of British Columbia – B.A. (English Lit.)
Professional Activities & Memberships
Law Society of British Columbia, 1987
Member, Canadian Bar Association
CLE lecturer (Securities Litigation; Forestry Litigation)
Volunteer Lecturer – Professional Legal Training Course (Civil Advocacy)
Volunteer Legal Advisor (Access Pro Bono, public legal advice clinic)
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2018
J.D., Dalhousie University
B.A., (History), University of Calgary, 2014
Iain Macdonald is a pragmatic and detail-oriented litigator. Iain strives to understand his clients’ complete circumstances so he can provide advice that best suits each of their individual needs. Iain understands that quality advocacy depends on a thorough understanding of his client’s problem and the best possible solution to it.
Iain has represented companies and people in private arbitration and at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Provincial Court, and the Court of Appeal. He has also helped clients achieve favourable settlements through mediation and negotiation. He understands that every problem calls for a different set of tools, and he has the experience to help you resolve your dispute in the way that makes the most sense for you.
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2018
J.D., Dalhousie University, 2017
B.A., (History), University of Calgary, 2014
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2022
J.D., University of Saskatchewan
B.A., (Criminology), Simon Fraser University
Jaime Gray is a thoughtful advocate with a strong work ethic and a talent for simplifying complex situations to focus on the core issues. Jaime completed her law degree at the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan and was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2022.
Jaime represents both individual and corporate clients involved in civil litigation. Jaime has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia, and she has also advocated before administrative tribunals, including the Human Rights Commission and Residential Tenancy Branch.
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2022
J.D., University of Saskatchewan
B.A., (Criminology), Simon Fraser University
Credentials
J.D., University of Toronto
Master of Journalism, University of British Columbia
B.A (English, Philosophy, Political Science), Indiana University Bloomington
Nancy Wu is an articling student at Yan Muirhead. Nancy graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2023. Before she attended law school, Nancy obtained a Master of Journalism degree from the University of British Columbia. Nancy is a skilled and efficient communicator.
Nancy is fluent in Mandarin and hopes to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Credentials
J.D., University of Toronto
Master of Journalism, University of British Columbia
B.A (English, Philosophy, Political Science), Indiana University Bloomington
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
Mia Liang joined Yan Muirhead as a legal administrative assistant when Yan Muirhead first opened their doors. She completed the certificate program at Capilano University while working fulltime at the firm and is now a paralegal.
Mia provides paralegal support to the lawyers at Yan Muirhead. Her organizational skill and commitment to detail make her invaluable in preparation for complex trials and preparing records for the Court of Appeal.
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
Credentials
Criminology Diploma, North Island College
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
Kimm Otto is a valued member of the Yan Muirhead team. She has an unflappable personality and diverse administrative expertise. Kimm has worked on cases before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Canada, and
the Human Rights Tribunal, as well as in matters in mediation and arbitration.
Kimm’s role includes assisting the lawyers at the firm with eDiscovery, and she is continuing her paralegal studies at Capilano University to improve her education in litigation and document management. Kimm is committed to continued professional growth and enjoys the multifaceted demands of her role as a paralegal.
Credentials
Criminology Diploma, North Island College
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
