Biography
Stephen McPhee, K.C. practices in the areas of Family Law, and Family Mediation and Arbitration as well as Mediation generally, including Estate and Workplace mediations.
He has conducted numerous mediations, mediation/arbitrations and arbitrations. He has also had successful appearances in all levels of court in British Columbia – Provincial, Supreme and the Court of Appeal.
Stephen is a highly experienced Family Law practitioner and handles complex financial separations as well as high conflict custody disputes. He has been appointed as a Children’s Lawyer by the Supreme Court of BC to advocate on behalf of children in family disputes.
As an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) professional, Stephen brings decades of training and experience to his ADR practice and is known for his no-nonsense but empathic mediation style.
He achieved the Conflict Resolution Certificate from the Justice Institute of BC in 2000 and, as a life-long learner, he has taken and presented at numerous ADR courses since then.
Stephen is a Law Society of BC accredited Family Mediator and Arbitrator as well as a Mediate BC Roster mediator.
Stephen has a long history of professional service – serving as President of the BC Branch of the CBA (CBABC) from 2010 to 2011 and serving on the executive from 2006 to 2011. He has been the chair or co-chair of the CBABC Nanaimo ADR subsection at various times since 2004, and is still involved in committee work as a volunteer with CBABC. He also served on the Board of Lawyers Financial from 2012 to 2017.
Separation is stressful and people need expert advice early on to ensure they know what to expect and how to deal with the emotional impact on them and their family. Stephen helps people be better “separated parents” to make the process as stress free as possible.
Stephen’s policy is “first do no harm” and he is able to lower the emotional temperature on a file to make sure all negotiation opportunities are exhausted before moving to a litigation process.
When litigation is required, Stephen is a tenacious advocate for his clients and he is always well prepared for hearings and has experience knowing how to be persuasive in court.
In addition to English, Stephen is also fluent in Afrikaans.
Recognition + Awards
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel, 2011 (King’s Counsel as of September 8, 2022)
Professional Affiliations
- Executive Committee, BC branch of the Canadian Bar Association (2006-2011)
- CBA Provincial Council (2003-2011; 2018 to present)
- Member, Trial lawyers Association of British Columbia
Education
- Canadian National Committee on Accreditation Certificate of Qualification, 2000
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 1994
- Comm, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 1992
Year of Call + Jurisdiction
- 2002, British Columbia
- 1997, South Africa