Katherine Tinmouth

I was called to the bar in 2008 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My first brush with family law came when I volunteered at the Dalhousie legal aid clinic in 2007; I was drawn in by the personal and delicate nature of the work and the connections I built with my clients. From there, I was hired by a large regional firm to work in their insurance litigation and corporate-commercial disputes departments. While it was interesting work, I did not feel drawn to this type of practice. In 2010, I returned to BC and joined the family department of a Vancouver litigation firm. I worked primarily on high value, high conflict files. I loved the work but saw the toll litigation took on my clients and their families. In 2013, my husband and I moved our family to the Comox Valley; we had just had our first child and wanted her to grow up in the community I had loved so much as a kid. Our family has since grown by one (plus a few animals) and we spend our free time outside enjoying the Valley.

The past 10 years of practicing family law in BC has changed my approach to the law. I remain motivated by the people and families with whom I work, but I have grown increasingly concerned with the harm I see arising from conflictual litigation. I view litigation as a last resort. My preference is to help my clients successfully resolve their family disputes by focusing on reducing conflict, finding lasting solutions, and keeping legal costs as low as possible. I am attentive to detail and provide practical advice. I have trained as a Collaborative Family Lawyer and Mediator to further hone my ability to help my clients better navigate their complex family issues. Where appropriate, I also like to work with other professionals (such as mental health professionals and financial experts) to best support my clients and their children through what can be complex and nuanced situations. Separation is not just about applying the law.  It is personal and distinct for each family and must be treated as such.

Arden Ackerman

I am a Family & Children’s Lawyer focusing my practice on seeking out-of-court resolutions and supporting clients as they navigate the restructuring of their families. I work closely with clients to facilitate cost-effective, efficient solutions that are appropriate for the needs of my clients. I have experience in all areas of family law, including divorce, parenting, child and spousal support, property division, prenuptial or cohabitation agreements, and separation agreements

I have a particular interest in bringing forward children’s views in dispute resolution processes and believe their views and voices are essential when determining what is in their best interest. I have extensive experience working directly with children and youth to provide them with legal services as a Children’s Lawyer.

I have substantial training in child development and child interviewing, mediation, screening for family violence and power imbalances, and family dynamics of separation and divorce.

I provide legal services directly to children and youth through the Society of Children and Youth of BC. Please visit https://scyofbc.org/child-youth-legal-centre/ for more information.

I am also a member of the Hear the Child Society providing non-evaluative Hear the Child Reports. Please contact me directly for information about this service.

I was called to the Alberta Bar in 2015 and the British Columbia Bar in 2017. I received my J.D. from the University of Calgary in 2014 after receiving my B.A. Honours degree from the University of Victoria.

Arden’s Services:

• Separation and Cohabitation Agreement drafting
• Adoption / guardianship
• Legal coaching/unbundled services
• Uncontested divorces
• Views of the Child Report