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.

For her litigation practice, 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 British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), 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 also a mediator, working to serve the legal community as one of the even fewer Mandarin-speaking mediators to help parties resolve their disputes through alternative dispute resolutions.

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. She is also recently recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada™ 2024, and 2026.

Helen Zhang – hzhang@ymlaw.ca