YLaw - Family Law Firm Vancouver & Surrey, BC Lawyers. Divorce, Children & Common Law. Asset & Debt Division, Spousal & Child Support. Settlements, Appeals & Agreements. Estate, Corporate & Immigration Litigation. | HQ: 580-1122 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1

Justin Murphy
Justin Murphy
Family & Employment Lawyer | Mediator | Vancouver

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Justin Murphy is an associate lawyer whose practice focuses on family law, with a growing employment law practice. Since being called to the Bar in 2020, Justin has represented clients in a wide range of disputes and has developed extensive experience advocating before both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Justin regularly assists clients with parenting disputes, child support, spousal support, property division, protection orders, relocations, child removal matters and divorce. He has represented clients through all stages of the litigation process, including chambers applications, mediations, settlement negotiations, and trials. While he is a strong advocate in court, Justin recognizes that not every dispute requires litigation. He works with clients to identify practical, cost-effective paths toward resolution whenever possible.

Justin has expanded his practice to include employment law. He assists clients with a variety of workplace issues, including wrongful dismissal claims, human rights complaints, workplace accommodation matters, and other employment-related concerns. Justin understands that workplace disputes can have significant financial and personal consequences and is committed to providing practical guidance tailored to each client’s circumstances.

Before joining YLaw, Justin practised at a boutique law firm in New Westminster, where he represented clients throughout British Columbia, including individuals and families living in rural and Northern communities with limited access to legal services.

APPROACH

Clients appreciate Justin’s responsive and practical approach. He understands that family and employment disputes often arise during some of the most challenging periods in a person’s life and takes pride in providing straightforward advice, effective representation, and dependable support throughout the legal process.

Justin works closely with his clients to best understand their needs, guide them through each stage of the litigation process & offer an honest assessment of their situation.

He strives to ask the right questions, but also put his clients at ease. Justin has represented clients in many high-conflict parenting matters, including alienation, relocation, and family violence cases. He also has a passion for employment law and all issues relating to the workplace.

Justin believes that many legal issues are best resolved outside of a courtroom. He has spent a good deal of his practice facilitating negotiation, mediation & other dispute resolution mechanisms between parties.

He recognizes, however, that not all matters can be resolved & court is sometimes necessary. When that does happen, Justin will go above & beyond to ensure you get what you’re entitled to.

Cases

  • In one of Justin’s first BC Supreme Court cases he successfully argued, among other things, that the existence of a spousal relationship could not be decided by affidavits alone (2022 BCSC 56)
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Education
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Queen’s University ’19.
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major in Political Science & Extended Minor in French – Simon Fraser University ’15.
  • Inducted in the Golden Key International Honours society during undergraduate studies for academic excellence.
Languages

English;
French; and
some Italian

Achievements
  • Represented clients in various family and employment law matters in both BC Provincial & Supreme Courts.
  • Former student case worker with the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) and Queen’s Legal Aid, representing low-income clients in respect of criminal, traffic, small claims, employment & other issues.
  • Earned the highest possible grade in International Refugee Law during law school (Winter 2018 semester)
  • Completed internship with the federal Department of Justice at Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (Winter 2019 semester)
  • Former campus club president, volunteer organizer & constituency assistant to a BC Member of Parliament
  • Former Learning and Writing Peer Educator & Coach, SFU Student Learning Commons.

 

VICTORIES

A SLEW OF VICTORIES, BUT WHO’S COUNTING? Case Li v. Virk – 2023

Harry Saini was the successful counsel in the residential tenancy litigation case Li v. Virk at the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The Story In December 2018, Ms. Li agreed to pay the Landlord of a Richmond property $2500 for monthly rent There was a problem with one of the rooms, so the Landlord and Ms. Li revised the tenancy…

A SLEW OF VICTORIES, BUT WHO’S COUNTING? Case: L.C vs. E.S – 2017

Child Removal, International Custody, Parenting Time This was a case which made local, national and international headlines. It spans several countries and took more than 5 years to resolve. During those 5 years, the mother did not allow the father or her brother to see her. She kept on feeling around the world to make sure the father does not…

A SLEW OF VICTORIES, BUT WHO’S COUNTING? S.C vs L.H – 2017

Groundbreaking case on Child Abduction, Wrongful Removal of Children and Wrongful Retention of Children. YLaw's latest BC Supreme Court Case has become one of the most important cases in the entire history of British Columbia on Child Abduction and Wrongful Removal. This case was reported on CBC, the Vancouver Sun, multiple child abduction websites, and later Leena was published with her story…

A SLEW OF VICTORIES, BUT WHO’S COUNTING? Ting vs. Wong – 2017

In yet another groundbreaking case in 2017, YLaw was able to obtain more than $116,000 in contempt fines in addition to special costs. This marks the highest family law contempt award in the history of British Columbia.  The Story - Contempt of Multiple Court Orders Ms. T's story was heartbreaking but beautiful at the end. She was left alone with her…

A SLEW OF VICTORIES, BUT WHO’S COUNTING? Case: Storey v. Terry – BC Court of Appeal – 2020

Leena Yousefi and Abib Ngom were successful counsel in the precedent-setting case of Storey v. Terry.  In this case, the wife applied for an unequal division of family property, an unequal division of family debt. Her Appeal was unsuccessful. As per the Court of Appeal: The appellant appeals a summary trial order providing for the equal division of the parties’…

Case: Storey v. Terry – BC Court of Appeal – 2020
Personal life

Justin is originally from Coquitlam, BC. He enjoys taking long walks, reading the news and learning languages. As an undergraduate student he was fortunate to have been able to go on a year-long exchange to a political science university in Paris, France. He and his exchange-year roommate are still, fortunately, best friends to this day.

Justin is also a natural-born explorer. He is grateful for the opportunities he’s had to travel, both throughout BC and beyond, and is perpetually amazed by what this world has to offer.

Outside of work, Justin loves to volunteer. As a law student he volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) on the Immigration & Correctional Law Project in Kingston, Ontario. During his articling he volunteered with Twice Upon a Time, a volunteer-run organization seeking to support early literacy skills for children & making books available in the home.

He also enjoys practicing his French & Italian, and spending time with his family. This includes his parents, sister, his two guinea pigs (Phineas and Ferb) and his furry pet rabbit (Ebby).

Get to Know Justin

Favourite hobby: either practicing languages, or playing with my pet rabbit.
Favourite book: the Harry Potter series.
Favourite people: my mom and my sister.
Biggest pet peeve: inefficiency.
Biggest role models: my mom and my sister.
Can’t live without: my wireless headphones.
Favourite travel destination and why: Victoria, BC. I went there every summer as a child. Of all the international landmarks I’ve visited, I still think it’s one of the nicest places in the world.
What makes you happy: Long walks, Christmas & spending time with family & friends.
How many languages spoken: 3. English, French and some Italian.

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