- Phone:
- 604-527-1161
604-375-0277
- Fax:
- 604-540-4028
Russell Tretiak K.C. is the senior counsel in his personal law corporation First Law Corporation. Russell’s practice is confined to family law litigation and representation before professional bodies. He was bestowed a Kings Counsel’s (K.C.) designation, an honor limited to perhaps 3% of all lawyers in recognition for his contribution to the community and legal profession.
Russell practices in accordance with barrister/solicitor system extant in England, whereby his files are assigned to individual staff who handle them on a day to day basis, with his input as to case theory and conduct in court. This system allows him to offer premium and economic services to clients, while maintaining a large case load that takes him through various courts throughout British Columbia. He practices from the Quay law office in New Westminster, BC.
With over 40 years of experience and an estimated 3500 cases, Russell is committed to assisting you with all of your legal needs. First Law believes in providing expedited legal services. Delay in resolving family law issues is costly and emotionally draining on people. The use of the barrister/ solicitor system provides more economical and expedited resolution of disputes. We use settlement meetings, mediation and arbitration, where appropriate, as well as selected litigation processes designed to resolve legal issues in an expedited and cost effective way.
Published Works
- A Cross-Examination Skills Workshop for Family Lawyers: Cross-Examining the Expert, Continuing Legal Education
- Family Law for Ordinary People: Interim Advances on Assets, Continuing Legal Education
- Family Law Conference: Case Management and Chambers Pilot Project, Continuing Legal Education
- Workshop Leader: Advocacy Skills in Family Law, Continuing Legal Education
- Family Law Conference: Chair with Carol Hickman of chapter entitled Vertical Mosaic – Melting Pot vs. Multiculturalism, Continuing Legal Education
- Family Law Conference: Agreements or Court Order or Minutes of Settlement, Continuing Legal Education
Representative Cases
- The Law Society of British Columbia v. Zoraik, 2015 BCCA 137; Discipline case set aside by B.C Court of Appeal
- R.P. v. S.R.B. 2013 BCSC 1842; Custody and Property
- Fuller v. Matthews, 2007, BCSC 444; Common- Law Relationship
- Hart v Hart, 1996 BCSC 1863; Custody
Honours and Awards
- Appointed King’s Counsel in 1996 for recognition of professional service and standing
Personal Interests
- Canadian Football League
- Symphony
- Classic Boats
- 1956 – Chris Craft Constellation
- 1956 – Chris Craft Capri
- Classic Autos
- 1965 – Sunbeam Tiger
- 1956 – Mercury Custom Pickup
Bar Admissions
- British Columbia
Education
- University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law
- LL.B.
- Simon Fraser University
- B.A.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Law Society of British Columbia, former Bencher
- Law Society of British Columbia, former chair of Unauthorized Practice Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Competency Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Complainant’s Review Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Credentials Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Practice Standards Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Discipline Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, former member of Ethics Committee
- Law Society of British Columbia, Conduct Review Task Force, Life Bencher
- Canadian Bar Association
- Westminster Family Law Subsection
- New Westminster Bar Association, Member
- Westminster Family Law Subsection Committee on submissions to Justice Reform Committee
- Westminster Family Law Subsection Committee on Submissions to Law Reform Commission on Pension Reform
- Family Law Practice Advisory Panel
- Westminster Family Subsection Report on BC Justice Review Task Force, Member
- Law Student Legal Advice Program, Supervising Lawyer
- Life Bencher of Law Society of British Columbia