Jay Havelaar

Partner   

Jay practices primarily in the areas of litigation and dispute resolution. He specializes in construction law, employment law, and criminal law. Jay also assists clients with wills and estate planning and estate administration. Representing both individuals and businesses, Jay has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia, ensuring his clients are well-represented until their matters are resolved.

Jay is the President of the John Howard Society of North Island and the Treasurer of the Campbell River Creative Industries Council. Originally from Campbell River, Jay spent several years working as a heli-logger and log scaler. His weekends are spent with his young family mountain biking, skiing, and coaching young cross-country ski racers. Jay is an avid trumpet player who regularly performs with a variety of musical groups throughout the region.

2007: LLB, University of British Columbia

2008: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar 

Robin Havelaar

Partner

Robin practices exclusively in family law. She regularly appears before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia, assisting her clients with parenting issues, child support, spousal support, property division and child protection matters. Her goal is to support clients by seeking an out of court resolution whenever possible, but litigating when necessary. She also assists clients with separation agreements, cohabitation or prenuptial agreements, uncontested divorces, and adoptions.

Before attending law school, Robin worked for the John Howard Society of North Island. She is a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Campbell River and Chair of the March for Children annual fundraiser. Before returning to her hometown of Campbell River, Robin worked as family lawyer in Fort St. John for several years. When not advocating for her clients, Robin enjoys biking, skiing and exploring the trails with her dog.

2009: Bachelor of Arts (History), University of British Columbia 

2013: Juris Doctor, University of Victoria

2014: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar 

Taylor Stephen

Partner

Primarily a business law lawyer, Taylor assists his clients with corporate law, real estate law, and wills and estate planning. He specializes in commercial law with a focus on the purchase and sale of businesses, contract review and preparation. Taylor has a diverse client base which includes developers, strata corporations, societies, and non-profits.

Taylor is a current member of Campbell River Daybreak Rotary and a former board member of the Campbell River Museum. Originally from Sidney, BC, where as a young man, he worked driving Kabuki Kabs in Victoria. During law school, Taylor worked at the Ministry of the Attorney General on a large piece of constitutional law. With his young family, Taylor enjoys soccer, cycling and gardening.

2008: Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), University of Victoria

2013: Juris Doctor, University of Victoria

2014: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar

Brett Woodside

Partner

Brett maintains a general solicitor’s practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial law and real estate transactions. He regularly represents builders and developers, medical professionals, lenders, professional service firms and other business owners. With a focus on the incorporation of new businesses, buying and selling of businesses and commercial lending, Brett works strategically on successful outcomes for his clients. 

An active member of his community, Brett is a director of the Campbell River Hospice Society, the John Perkins Memorial Housing Society and the Campbell River Art Gallery. Before attending law school, Brett worked as a production technician manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells. When not in the office, Brett enjoys golfing, playing baseball and fishing.



2009: Bachelor of Arts (Poli. Sci.), University of British Columbia

2014: Juris Doctor, University of British Columbia

2015: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar 

Colin Spencer

Counsel (Retired)

Colin was born in Saskatchewan and received both his Bachelor of Arts and his JD from the University of Saskatchewan. He has been practicing law since 1980. In the early years of his practice Colin became an experienced trial lawyer, particularly in the areas of family law, personal injury, commercial disputes, criminal defense and prosecutions.

Colin has been an accredited mediator since 1994. He is a member of the British Columbia Bar and he is on the Roster of family mediators and child protection mediators.



Ryan Krasman

Associate Lawyer

Ryan’s primary area of practice is family law, including mediations, arbitrations, separation and cohabitation agreements, and litigious high-conflict family matters. He also actively practices in the area of estate litigation, and has a background in employment law, personal injury law, and general civil litigation. Ryan regularly appears before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia.



Ryan is a born and raised Campbell Riverite, who graduated from Carihi Secondary School and has spent his entire legal career working for clients in the town that raised him. Ryan is a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association, and is a previous President of the Campbell River Bar Association. In his leisure time, Ryan plays guitar in a band, spends his winters on the hockey rink, and wastes his summers on the golf course. He is a die-hard fan of the Vancouver Canucks and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2013: Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), University of Victoria

2016: Juris Doctor, University of Alberta

2017: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar 

Anastasia Ganton (née Fairfield)

Anastasia primarily advises and represents clients in all areas of employment law, including wrongful termination, employment contracts, progressive discipline, human rights, employment standards, workers' compensation, and privacy issues. Anastasia also conducts workplace investigations, and has experience working with First Nations governments, economic development corporations, and First Nations-owned entities and businesses. 

In addition to Anastasia's proficiency in employment law, she is committed to serving the diverse legal needs of the Campbell River community. To that end, she has expanded her practice to encompass general practitioner work, including general civil litigation and contract negotiation and dispute resolution. 

Anastasia received her Juris Doctor from Queen’s University in 2019, where she was awarded the Sherrard Kuzz LLP Prize for academic achievement in labour, employment and administrative law. While at Queen’s, she was Co-President of the Queen’s Labour and Employment Law Club and served as a caseworker with the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic.

Anastasia was raised in North Vancouver, but decided to relocate to Campbell River after discovering its beautiful scenery and welcoming community. 

2014: Bachelor of Arts, University of British Columbia

2019: Juris Doctor, Queen's University 

2020: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar

Helena Friesen

Helena works primarily as a courtroom lawyer in the areas of litigation, family law and criminal law. She has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia. As a new Associate, Helena is looking forward to continuing to develop her family law practice and gaining further experience in civil litigation.   

Originally from the Lower Mainland, Helena now calls Campbell River home. Prior to attending law school, Helena worked for many years as an outreach support worker in Vancouver. She is a director of the North Island College Foundation and the Campbell River & North Island Transition Society. Helena is already considered a local and has taken up fishing as a new hobby.

2015: Bachelor of Arts, with distinction, Simon Fraser University

2022: Juris Doctor, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

2023: Admitted to the British Columbia Bar

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