July 2012 | By Darpan Magazine

Business Profile – Maclean Family Law Group

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Teamwork. Innovation. Tenacity. Passion. Technologically Savvy. These are just a few words to describe the renowned MacLean Family Law Group. With over 29 years of experience, Lorne MacLean is an industry pillar in family law and was rated one of the “Top 40 Lawyers in North America” by a lawyer ratings website. He is the founding partner of MacLean Family Law Group (MFLG), which specializes in family and criminal law, personal injury, wills and estates and immigration. MFLG has offices in Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna and Fort St. John with plans to open an office in Calgary, AB in the near future.
Sumit Ahuja and Subreen Bedi recently joined MFLG, and these dynamic lawyers not
only bring knowledge and expertise to the forefront, but they are fluent in Punjabi and Hindi providing a greater level of understanding to clients who may not be fluent in English. Ahuja works at the Vancouver and Surrey offices, while Bedi works primarily out of the Surrey office to cater to the needs of individuals in Surrey and the growing Fraser Valley region.
When asked to describe what makes MFLG unique in the industry, Ahuja answered with a smile, “our openness to discuss things with clients and I would definitely say, our strategic approach to how we deal with issues. We really break each issue down to the simplest form and create a proactive plan moving forward – we are not reactive, I would say about our firm. I think it’s about figuring out what the likely outcome is and then taking the necessary steps to move forward towards that outcome. This combined with robust strategic planning allows us the ability to aggressively negotiate and get good results in court or in settlement because of that preparation.”
He goes on to say the lawyers and support staff at MFLG conduct extensive research, are up-to-date on case law and take a novel approach to law, in terms of putting forward different arguments and being aware that not every situation is the same. “We pay attention to the small details from start to finish,” he adds.
Another key factor that separates MFLG is the firm’s belief in providing pro bono services to the public, even individuals who are not clients of MFLG, in order to give back to the community and increase knowledge and understanding of family law, which is constantly evolving or changing at a rapid rate.
Individuals can visit MFLG’s technologically savvy website and blog to read about their latest cases and/or the decisions and amendments to family law. The lawyers actively blog posts 8-10 times a month to “reach people who can’t afford to come to us, but are provided
with current, free information. Our Facebook and Twitter feeds are constantly updated and we also provide videos for individuals to view, including our top-rated spousal support video
with thousands of hits on YouTube,” adds MacLean.
MacLean and the firm’s associates, who are highly rated on Google, Zagat and lawyerratingz.com, are open to Skype and telephone consultations and they also partake in pro bono telephone clinics. Ahuja is in the process of creating a pro bono clinic in which individuals can come into the office for seminars and confidential conversations where they can feel open to discuss legal issues that are affecting them.
Ahuja and Bedi are also providing information and videos on the MFLG website in Hindi and Punjabi to ensure that immigrants new to Canada are not misled or told incorrect information about Canadian law. The associates hope to create greater awareness and explain the differences in law from the immigrants’ country of origin and the Canadian judicial process and system.
Known for their teamwork and tenacity, the associates at MFLG often work together on cases and Ahuja and Bedi, who are junior associates, can turn to MacLean for advice and expertise. “People trust our junior lawyers because we have ready access to Lorne’s intellect and skill thus saving the client money in the end,” says Ahuja, adding “we are able to grow and learn from watching Lorne handle simple
to complex cases and he is an invaluable resource for information.”
MacLean holds a Queen’s Counsel designation, which is bestowed on only 4 per cent of BC’s legal profession members recognizing exceptional merit and contribution, and he is also a member of the Judicial Council of British Columbia.
“What sets us apart is the passion, the tenacity, the teamwork and the fact that I don’t view what I do as a job nor even just something
as simple as a career, rather I view it as my calling,” says MacLean. “When I come into work every day, I am excited. We have five new practice areas, a cutting edge website and visual ads
that will be amazing plus we give back through pro bono initiatives. It’s our calling, I surround myself with similar people who work hard and are tough but thoughtful advocates for their clients.”