Mara is a lawyer with a concentration in family law matters. Mara works as a collaborative lawyer, a Mediator, an Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator.

Mara’s practice focuses on negotiated resolution of family matters, including: division of assets, child and spousal support, guardianship and residency issues and parenting plans. Mara has a particular interest in facilitating effective co-parenting amidst spousal separation. Mara’s practice emphasizes collaborative and mediation models wherever possible. As an Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator Mara is dedicated to creating a fair process where parties feel heard and understood. Mara is committed to making legal services affordable and available to people of all communities. She is dedicated to a “family first” practice that facilitates long term amicable relations between former spouses. Mara’s office is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Mara was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1993. She was an early adopter of Mediation completing her training in 2008. She is recognized by the Law Society of BC as an accredited Family Law Mediator, Family Law Arbitrator, and Parenting Coordinator. As a lawyer, Mara has successfully conducted trials at the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia, and argued cases in the BC Court of Appeal. As a mediator, Mara has assisted many families in redefining their family unit while maintaining positive relationships. Mara is mother to 3 children, and 2 puppies. She contributes on the Executive and is an active member of the Family Law and Dispute Resolution sections of the Canadian Bar Association.

The end of a relationship is difficult and moving forward is often entangled in emotions, financial pressures, and practical logistics. When children are involved the stakes rise even higher. The traditional legal process is expensive and because it is based on a win/lose philosophy, poorly suited to achieving the best possible outcomes for a family. I am committed to a practical approach to family law that enables individuals, couples and families to navigate their situation productively and find reasonable, cost effective, and legally sound solutions.

The best solutions for your family are often known by the family members and not formulated by the legal system. Every person’s and family’s situation is unique. My strength lies in facilitating the resolution process and maintaining focus on the priority issues.

MY SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN SEVERAL WAYS:

SOLE REPRESENTATION – working with you to negotiate a settlement on your behalf

COLLABORATIVE LAW – representing your individual interests within a team who are all working together to share information and reach resolutions

MEDIATION – working with you and your spouse as an objective, impartial neutral to achieve a settlement

ARBITRATION – retained by both spouses as a decision maker with authority to make binding decisions after hearing the evidence you present

PARENTING COORDINATION – working with both parents and the children to address post-separation co-parenting challenges