 |
|
Johnson, Nancy
Nancy Johnson is a lawyer and certified family mediator practising exclusively in the area of family law. Her practice includes mediation, collaborative family law files and litigation involving property division, spousal support and parenting issues.
Family law matters are generally very stressful and difficult for clients. Therefore Nancy supports her clients by explaining the various dispute resolution options, as well as the law, in easy to understand terms. She also ensures that her clients understand the cost/benefit implications of their decisions.
Nancy is an advocate of the collaborative family law process, which is an approach to the resolution of family matters that she believes will help reduce the emotional and financial costs of separation for her clients.
Nancy also has extensive courtroom experience, having acted as Counsel for the Ministry of Human Resources in their Family Maintenance Program for over seven years. This work involved obtaining spousal and child support for income assistance recipients. As a result, Nancy has developed a very solid expertise in child and spousal support matters, and this experience assists her in working with both payors and recipients of support. Nancy’s goal, however, is to shield her family law clients from the expense and uncertainty of court whenever possible.
A 1990 graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (Toronto), Nancy then articled and worked with a major Toronto law firm before relocating to the Okanagan in 1995, where her husband grew up.
When she is not working, Nancy can be found skiing at Big White, painting, catching up on the next selection for her book club, entertaining friends, walking her dog, and enjoying the beautiful Okanagan.
Professional Overview
• A family lawyer and Certified Family Mediator.
• A founding member of the Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group.
• Acted as Counsel for the Ministry of Human Resources in their Family Maintenance Program for over seven years.
• Appointed as a family law duty counsel by the Legal Services Society in March 2003.
• A past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Okanagan Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution subsections.
• Has annually edited and updated the Law Society’s Practice Checklists Manual for the Family Practice Interview, since 2003.
• Has been on the roster of interviewers for the “Meaningful Child Participation Pilot Project”, since 2005 and is trained to produce “views of the child” reports.
Memberships
Canadian Bar Association
Nancy is a past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Okanagan Alternative Dispute Resolution Subsection. She is also a past Chair of the Okanagan Family Law Subsection. In 2001, Nancy was invited to participate in a Federal/Provincial/Territorial - Consultation on Divorce Act Reform. Nancy also assists members of the legal profession as a Family Law Practice Advisor for the Canadian Bar Association, and as a mentor with the Women Lawyers’ Mentoring program, and a peer mentor and a volunteer with the Lawyers’ Assistance Program.
Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group
Nancy is a founding member of this association of independent professionals dedicated to the promotion of a form of dispute resolution for family law matters known as “Collaborative Family Law”. She served as the group’s co-chair from 2000 to 2004. The group includes lawyers, registered clinical counsellors, Ph.D. child specialists, chartered accountants, and business valuators.
Okanagan Families Society
Nancy served as a director and president for this non-profit Society from 1995 to 2005. The Society serves the children, youth and families of the Okanagan Valley through the provision of residential care for children and youth, counselling services, and parenting education programs. In 1996, she helped to raise over $80,000 for capital improvements to one of the Society’s residential facilities. The Society also achieved accreditation during her term as president.
Publications & Presentations
• Continuing Legal Education Society of BC - Nancy was a speaker on “Child Support - Shared Custody” at the 4th Biennial Family Law Conference held in Vancouver, BC, in July 2001, and contributed a paper to the course materials. Since 2003, she has also annually edited and updated the Law Society’s Practice Checklists Manual for the Family Practice Interview.
• Public information sessions - In 2000 and 1999, Nancy and three other professionals organized and presented a series of free public information sessions on “Divorce and Finance” at the Kelowna Public Library. To promote Collaborative Family Law, she has presented at numerous public information sessions, appeared on local radio, and provided newspaper interviews. She has presented on family law issues for the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre. On March 16, 2003, Nancy was a speaker at a presentation called “Moving On: What women need to know about divorce”.
• Legal Education for Youth And Children - Nancy participates regularly in the Mock Trial held annually for the Girl Guides of Canada at the Kelowna Courthouse. Nancy also participates in mock trial exercises at the Kelowna Courthouse for students.
• “Getting to Yes in Natural Resource Governance: Dream or Delusion?” Vol. 3, No. 3, Canadian Environmental Mediation Newsletter, 5, (1988).
Family lawyer Nancy Johnson can be reached at njohnson@doakshirreff.com or at her direct line (250)979-2553.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner
Craddock, Jock
Estephan, Ab
Hardwick, J. Grant
Kucher, Tim
Shirreff, Grant
Sommerey, Roy
Turner, Lee
Associate
Bloom, Karyn
Geekie, Marvin
Grenier, Keri T.
Johnson, Nancy
Kwasnicki, Robert
Lovig, Christy
Meyer, Leighton
Peel, Cristin
Thorne, Jennifer E.
|
|
