About (archived)
Catherine opened her own firm in 1990 and operated as a sole practitioner until joining Miller Thomson as a partner in 2010. Catherine has been instrumental in building the firm’s national immigration practice.
As an immigration lawyer, Catherine provides a full range of immigration services and is recognized as a leading immigration practitioner by Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal and Best Lawyers in Canada. Catherine was voted Vancouver’s Best Immigration Lawyer for the third consecutive year in 2014.
Catherine is a member of the American Bar Association, Trial Lawyers of British Columbia, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and International Bar Association. She is also registered as a Foreign Legal Consultant with the State Bar of California enabling her to better serve her American clientele in the film and television and high tech industries.
Catherine has been part of Team Canada and Team British Columbia trade missions to countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, China, Hong Kong, and the United States, and has participated in continuing legal education seminars, appeared in parliamentary committees on immigration issues and spoken at international conferences and symposiums.
Born in Edmonton, AB, Catherine lived in Spirit River, Alberta until moving to Abbotsford, BC when she was six. While pursuing her education, Catherine has lived in Victoria, Montreal, Cultus Lake, BC and Vancouver. In 1989 Catherine spent a year teaching English in Nagoya, Japan. She now practices law in Vancouver, but resides in Parksville, BC on Vancouver Island with her husband Paul and sons Louis and William.
Professional Achievements
- Bencher of the Law Society of BC 2010-2013
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel, 2006
- Registered Foreign Legal Consultant with State Bar of California (2004)
- Recognized leading immigration practitioner by Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal, and Best Lawyers in Canada



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1985
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Started Law School in September
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1985
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Joined CBA right in first few days of Law School
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1988
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Appointed to CBA Membership Committee (BC Branch)
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Graduated UBC Law
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1989
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Planning Committee – CBA Annual General Meeting (1988-1989)
National
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1992
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CBA Representative – Legal Aid Tariff Committee (1992-1995)
Provincial
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Elected Member of Provincial Council (1992-1997)
Provincial
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1993
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Co-Vice-Chair – CBA National Immigration Subsection
National
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1994
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Director, Association of Legal Aid Lawyers (1992-1995)
Other Professional Organization
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Member, Resolution, Constitution and By-Laws Committee (1994-1999)
1995Chair – National Immigration Law section
National
1997-98Chair – Immigration Law Section, BC Branch
Provincial
1999Elected Member of Provincial Council (1999 -2002)
Provincial
2001Benevolent Fund Society – Fundraiser Organizer (2000-2003)
Provincial
2006Appointed Queen’s Council
Chair Work Life Balance Section (2006-2010)
Provincial
2009Member, Resolution, Constitution and By-Laws Committee (2009 – 2012)
2010Elected Bencher, Law Society of BC (2010-2013)
2012Chair of National Resolutions Committee (2012-2014)
National
201530th anniversary of CBA membership
National