Education
1975, LL.B., University of British Columbia
1971, B.A. (Hons.), Simon Fraser University
Bar Admission
1976, British Columbia
Profile
Colin Millar is a partner in the Litigation Group and chairs the Wealth Preservation Group at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. His preferred areas of practice are Family, Estate, Corporate Commercial, Tax, Patent and Trademark Litigation. A widely respected and highly regarded practitioner, Colin was appointed as amicus curiae ("friend of the court") to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006 to provide the Court with an independent review of the issues in a complex family law case. He considers this appointment both a great honour and a highlight of his career.
Colin is renowned for his practicality and level-headed approach to advising his clients. "When you first meet with a client" he explains, "they're lost in a sea of confusion. They are people whose life experiences you share as you're helping them through a very difficult time. I always advise clients that the laws can only effectively deal with the financial aspects of their case, not the emotional wounds. I explain to them what the law is, how the process works, how it applies to their specific situation, and what the likely outcome will be. Hopefully by the end of the first or second meeting they feel they're standing on solid ground".
His practical approach is complimented by his sensitivity to the plight his clients often find themselves in. "I appreciate that it's a very difficult time for clients. If everyone acts reasonably then you can resolve the issues expeditiously. If one party is unreasonable, then it requires judicial intervention to settle the matter and that's expensive. I assure them that I will get them through the process relatively unscathed and I arm them with realistic expectations of what results can be achieved."
The great respect and goodwill Colin has built during his many years of practice and his volunteerism at pro bono legal clinics has resulted in many thank you cards and letters from clients and their relatives as well as a slew of referrals from his former clients, fellow firm members and other lawyers.
Colin was a Charter student at Simon Fraser University where he obtained an Honors degree in Economics. He received his LL.B. from The University of British Columbia in 1975 before being called to the Bar in 1976. He is married with three grown children. He coached them through baseball and soccer while they were growing up and remains involved in community sports. He is currently the Vice President of the West Vancouver Soccer Club where he continues to coach and referee.
Areas of Practice
Resolution of disputes with respect to Family Law (divorce, spousal support, custody, access and child support), preparation of Pre Nuptial Agreements, preparation of Separation Agreements, including matters involving common-law relationships
Litigation in relation to Estates including Wills Variation Act claims, challenges to the validity of Wills and disputes in relation to Executors and Trustees
Corporate Commercial Litigation
Proceedings in Tax Court
Patent and Trade mark Litigation
Articles, Speeches and Seminars
• Panellist, War of the Roses II, Continuing Legal Education
• Co-author, "Use of the contempt power in matrimonial proceedings" Family Law Issues, Continuing Legal Education, 1992
• Author, "Avoiding Matrimonial Settlements" presented to Family Advocate Group, March 8, 1995
• Author, "Mutual Wills" presented to Family Advocate Group, February 1998
• Author, "The Treatment of Inheritances under the Family Relations Act" presented to Family Advocate Group, February 11, 1998
• Contributing Author, Annotated Family Practice, Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.
• Contributing Author, British Columbia Family Practice Manual
• Frequent Presenter at Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. Courses
Professional/Business Affiliations
Law Society of British Columbia
Canadian Bar Association
Family Advocates Group