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.
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 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
University of Alberta (J.D. 2020)
University of British Columbia (B.A. 2016)
Bar Admission
Law Society of British Columbia, 2021
Professional & Community Involvement
Volunteer, Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia (Civil Chambers Program)
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Vancouver Bar Association
Member, The Advocates’ Society
Farnaz maintains a general civil litigation practice, focusing on complex commercial and regulatory disputes, including shareholder, contractual, and securities enforcement matters. She has experience representing clients in commercial arbitrations, before administrative bodies, and in injunction proceedings. Farnaz has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia. She is fluent in Farsi and is happy to assist Farsi-speaking clients.
Credentials
University of Alberta (J.D. 2020)
University of British Columbia (B.A. 2016)
Bar Admission
Law Society of British Columbia, 2021
Professional & Community Involvement
Volunteer, Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia (Civil Chambers Program)
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Vancouver Bar Association
Member, The Advocates’ Society
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
Law Society of British Columbia, 2023
Law Society of Ontario, 2024
JD, York University, 2022
BA, University of Toronto, 2019
Ding has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Ding practises general commercial litigation with experience in matters relating to shareholder remedies, creditor remedies, equitable remedies, bankruptcy and insolvency, regulatory investigations, and administrative law.
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2023
Law Society of Ontario, 2024
JD, York University, 2022
BA, University of Toronto, 2019
Credentials
LLM (Common Law), University of British Columbia, 2023
LLB, Queen’s University Belfast, 2022
B.Sc. (Honours), University of Toronto, 2019
Community Involvement
Committee member — Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL), BC
Law student volunteer — Access Pro Bono Residential Tenancy
Volunteer — West Coast LEAF
Tina completed her Master of Law degree at UBC and her Bachelor of Law at Queen’s University Belfast, where she placed first in her class. Prior to law, Tina completed an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto.
Tina speaks Mandarin Chinese.
Credentials
Law Society of British Columbia, 2022
J.D., University of Saskatchewan
B.A., (Criminology), Simon Fraser University
Credentials
Albanian Chamber of Advocacy – School of Advocacy 2018
Master’s in Public Law, University of Tirana 2017
B. Sc. in Law, University of Tirana – 2015
Melida Ceka is a seasoned legal professional with a background in public law and legal administration. She joined Yan Muirhead as a legal administrative assistant and is integral to the team. Prior to joining Yan Muirhead, Melida worked as a lawyer in Albania and then later as an assistant at a law firm in Vancouver.
Melida is fluent in Albanian and Italian.
Credentials
Albanian Chamber of Advocacy – School of Advocacy 2018
Master’s in Public Law, University of Tirana 2017
B. Sc. in Law, University of Tirana – 2015
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University, 2024
BA, University of California, Berkeley 2022
Kevin Chuang joined Yan Muirhead after graduating from Capilano University’s Legal Administrative Certificate program with honors, and he provides support to the lawyers at Yan Muirhead.
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University, 2024
BA, University of California, Berkeley 2022
Credentials
University of British Columbia (B.A 2019)
Emily is the front-line representative for Yan Muirhead LLP ensuring a professional and welcoming environment for clients and visitors.
Emily is a seasoned customer service professional and is there to help with whatever you need. She assists in document preparation, filing and ensuring that all office operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Credentials
University of British Columbia (B.A 2019)
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
Anna Filip is an unflappable and organized person. As office manager, she oversees the day-to-day operations of Yan Muirhead.
Anna previously worked as a legal assistant and paralegal for 8 years and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree at Capilano University.
Credentials
Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate, Capilano University
Paralegal Certificate, Capilano University
