Experienced Advocacy. Personalized Legal Solutions.
Warsh Law Corporation is a full-service law firm located in Nanaimo, British Columbia, proudly serving clients throughout Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the BC Interior. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team provides trusted representation in family law, wills and estates, corporate and commercial law, real estate conveyancing, immigration, mediation, and estate litigation. We are committed to delivering personalized, strategic solutions for individuals, families, and businesses, offering flexible appointments including weekend, home, and hospital visits to meet our clients’ needs.
Integrity, Experience, Results.
At Warsh Law Corporation, our mission is rooted in integrity, diligence, and lasting client relationships. We approach every case with careful preparation, clear communication, and a focus on achieving practical and effective outcomes. Our experienced legal team takes pride in supporting the Nanaimo community and surrounding areas with reliable guidance and compassionate representation during life’s most important transitions.
Warsh Law offers a broad range of legal services to support individuals, families, and businesses. Our team provides knowledgeable guidance across several practice areas to help clients resolve issues and plan for the future.
Compassionate guidance through life’s most personal legal matters.
Resolving disputes efficiently
and respectfully.
Guiding you through
Canada’s immigration process.
Protecting your legacy and your
loved ones’ future.
Practical legal solutions for growing businesses.
Smooth and secure property transactions.
Strong advocacy in complex estate disputes.
Our team of experienced lawyers is committed to providing practical legal guidance and personalized service. At Warsh Law, we work collaboratively to help clients navigate important legal matters with confidence and clarity.
Michael L. Warsh is a highly experienced and educated lawyer specializing in: Family law, wills, estates, and estate litigation. His practice ranges from estate planning, probate, divorce, custody, and access issues.
Michael was born in Toronto, Ontario, studied Philosophy at Western University (Honours Bachelor of Arts) and Queen’s University (Master of Arts). He obtained two law degrees – an LLB from Ludlow Hall, University of New Brunswick Law School (1989), and a Master of Laws in Corporate and Securities Law from Duke University Law School in Durham, North Carolina (1993).
Michael was a stockbroker on Toronto’s Bay Street, then moved to be a consultant for the Vancouver Stock Exchange and Securities Regulation Commission. Michael articled in a boutique securities firm in Vancouver before relocating to Nanaimo and setting up a practice in family law in 1994. Michael is an avid distance runner, paddleboarder, skier, cyclist, and hiker. He enjoys these sports with his family.
Michael is an active member of the Canadian Bar Association. He chaired Law Day, an annual public event showcasing the justice system to the community, for 13 years. Michael was also involved in the Dial-A-Lawyer programme, the Lawyer Referral Service, and served on the Awards and Recognition Committee.
Michael served on several Law Society of British Columbia committees, including: Conduct Review Sub-Committee, being on the list of council assisting in the complaint & discipline process; and helping lawyers who face regulation and professional conduct investigations.
Michael is actively involved in lawyer training. In the British Columbia Law Society’s Professional Legal Training Course, he has acted as a volunteer judge in the Moot Court for both chambers applications and trials, and in the Continuing Legal Education Department, he has prepared a panel on jurisdiction. Michael has also been on the Judicial Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council, where he was tasked with writing the reports on applicants to be appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia.
Michael was a guest lecturer in the Vancouver Island University Child and Youth Care Programme, where he participated as a Cross-Examiner in moot court to expose prospective social workers to the experience of giving evidence in a trial in child sexual abuse cases. Michael has also lectured on family law at the VIU History department and the Men’s Resource Centre. Michael also served for 3 years on the VIU Committee for Ethical Review & Research Involving Human Subjects.
Michael is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia; the Canadian Bar Association (B.C. branch); the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C.; the Nanaimo County Bar Association; and the Nanaimo City Bar Association.
Community Activities
While living in Toronto, Michael worked as a volunteer juvenile probation officer and received a Government of Ontario Award.
Michael served for 6 years on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra and remains an active supporter of the arts in Nanaimo.
For many years, Michael was a supporter of the Nanaimo Diamonds Synchronized Swim Club and the Nanaimo Kennel Club. His Irish Terrier, Orion, is a grand champion.
Michael is the founding member of the Central Vancouver Island Jewish Community Society and an ongoing supporter of CVI Chabad.
Michael has written articles on custody and access issues and matrimonial agreements, which were published in the National Post and The Lawyers Weekly, and was interviewed on CBC Radio concerning a unique custody case concerning exclusive occupancy of a matrimonial home
Michael also published a scholarly article in the Canadian Review of American Studies regarding consent to medical treatment, including end-of-life issues.
Case Comment: Kristmanson v. Kristmanson– child support for adult children with disabilities; The Verdict, Winter, 2013
Children would benefit from more shared custody orders, July 24, 1998; Lawyer’s Weekly
Opening Statement: A distasteful lack of finality, March 28, 2003; Lawyer’s Weekly
Interpretation of common mistake in consent order, January 21, 2021; Lawyer’s Daily
She’s a glutton; she gets nutt’in, June 21, 2021; Lawyer’s Daily
Warsh Law regularly sponsors several community, educational, cultural, and sports activities. Warsh Law is presently a corporate sponsor for the Nanaimo Clippers Junior A Hockey Team.
Michael endowed the Warsh Prize (the VIU graduate research prize), which is a prestigious annual award for exceptional students planning to pursue graduate studies.
Stuart E. Wood is an extremely experienced lawyer who specializes in: Residential and commercial real estate, corporate law, estate planning and probate.
Stuart E. Wood, born in Vancouver, studied engineering at the University of British Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Mechanical Engineering in 1973. After working in the Forest industry, Stuart returned to law school at the University of British Columbia where he received his LLB in 1979.
Stuart remains a Professional Engineer with the Engineers & Geoscientists of B.C. He articled at the law firm of Braidwood, Nuttall, Mackenzie, Brewer and Greyll in Vancouver and practiced there as an associate and partner until 1991. Stuart then formed his own firm and practiced with a small firm in Vancouver until moving to Nanaimo in 1994. His practice areas include commercial and residential real estate, mortgages, wills and estates and corporate commercial work including incorporations and buying and selling businesses.
Stuart has 4 children who are the joy of his life. He formally served on the Board of an independent school and is actively involved in his Church as an elder and board member.
Stuart is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, Canadian Bar Association and has been involved in the Law Society’s Professional Legal Training Courses.
Ronald E. Peters is an experienced lawyer whose practice includes: Family law, real estate conveyances and mortgages, business transactions, and immigration matters. Ron’s approach to practising law and serving his clients is practical and solutions-based.
Ron was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. After attending university in Quebec and Ontario, Ron returned to BC and was called to the bar in 1995.
After spending a few years in practice in Prince George, Ron moved to Nanaimo and has been practicing law here since 2002. After nearly 12 years as one of the principal lawyers at Bastion Law Group, Ron recently joined Warsh Law, where his practice areas include real estate conveyancing, mortgages, incorporations, business sales and purchases, immigration, family law, and other civil litigation matters.
Ron is a member of the Law Society of BC and the Canadian Bar Association. Ron has also been involved in community organizations, including Rotary, the Columbian Centre Society, and immigrant aid societies. Ron was also a coach with the Nanaimo youth soccer clubs. Ron and his family live in the Nanaimo area, where he enjoys numerous outdoor activities and all that Vancouver Island has to offer.
Sarah E. Allan specializes in family law. She has experience in Provincial and Supreme Court, with mediation, as both counsel and mediator, and with negotiating and drafting cohabitation and separation agreements. Sarah aims to help you understand family law and uses creative solutions to meet your goals.
Sarah E. Allan (she/her), originally from Vancouver, BC, received her Bachelor’s Degree with Distinction in Montreal at Concordia University (2007), majoring in both Anthropology and Human Relations. She returned to Vancouver to attend UBC Law School (2011), completing a specialization in Social Justice and the Law, and spending a term with the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (formerly First Nations Legal Clinic). Sarah was called to the bar in September 2012.
Sarah joined Warsh Law in 2018 and practices primarily family law. In 2021, Sarah became accredited as a Family Law Mediator in order to assist families to reach agreements between themselves, outside of court. She also provides representation for youth who are at the centre of high-conflict family law matters through the Society for Children and Youth. Sarah aims to work as a team with her clients, to help them understand the legal system and the law, and to make confident, informed decisions. Sarah is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, and the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia. Sarah has two active children and enjoys spending time with her family exploring Vancouver Island’s forests, lakes and beaches.
Kara practices Family Law, including divorce, access to children, division of property, and agreements.
Kara aims to provide practical solutions to minimize potential problems as much as possible and to help her clients understand the legal system and family law.
Kara Dawson is a dual citizen of Canada and Australia and grew up in Victoria, B.C. Kara (she/her) was admitted to the bar of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia in 2000. Kara has a Bachelor’s degree from SFU in 1994, a Bachelor of Laws, Honours, from Murdoch University, Perth, Australia in 1997, and a Master of Laws, Distinction, from the University of Western Australia in 2001. Kara practiced law in Australia and taught law for 20 years until joining Warsh Law.
Kara loves to kayak and walk her Golden Retrievers with her family.
Saurabh works with clients on family law matters and other civil and commercial legal issues, including advisory work, agreements and negotiations. He brings a steady, detail-driven approach to each file and values helping clients understand their options and move matters forward efficiently, especially in high-information or emotionally complex situations.
Saurabh was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2025. Before becoming a lawyer in BC, he gained both transactional and litigation experience, in various different roles. This diverse background helps him analyze information, structure files and identify risks clearly for clients across different practice areas.
Trish Goulet is an experienced lawyer who specializes in corporate and commercial law, commercial real estate, and the regulation of health professions. Her knowledge of legal frameworks, combined with her understanding of public policy within government and non-governmental institutions, makes her an effective strategic planner, mitigating risk and working collaboratively with your organization to meet its goals.
Trish earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees at the University of Manitoba. Following her initial tenure with Warsh Law, she earned a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Regina.
Trish has been called to the Bars of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. She has presented nationally and internationally on public policy, standards governing healthcare professions, regulatory colleges, and statutory interpretation.
Trish is delighted to have returned home to Nanaimo and Warsh Law. She is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Canadian Bar Association.
Our FAQ section answers common questions about legal services, consultations, and the processes involved. These resources help you better understand what to expect when working with our team.
An initial appointment with a lawyer is usually scheduled for 1 hour. To make the most of that hour, it helps to be prepared. Some people are just looking for summary advice about their divorce, separation, or parenting conflict, while others want to retain a lawyer to represent them. It can help to advise the lawyer so they can tailor their questions and advice to meet your needs. Either way, we recommend you bring:
If you want to go above and beyond, and have not already provided these documents to the court or a previous lawyer, you could also gather:
If you don’t have all of the documents listed above, don’t let it stop you from coming to see a lawyer. We can always help you make a list and track things down as we go along.
In BC, many people wonder whether to start a family law action in Provincial Court of Supreme Court. There are many factors that come into play when making this decision. The particulars of your case may make it necessary or advantageous to operate within a certain court.
The Provincial Court of BC deals with Family Law Act matters such as guardianship, parenting time and parental responsibilities, child and spousal support, and Family Law Act protection orders. The Provincial Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over child protection matters brought under the Child, Family and Community Services Act. In Provincial Court, there are no court filing fees and the processes, governed by the Provincial Court Family Rules, are meant to be simpler to navigate. It can be easier to have your matter heard sooner in Provincial Court, but you cannot win a cost award if your legal case is successful.
The Supreme Court of BC has jurisdiction to deal with any Family Law Act matter that Provincial Court can. The Supreme Court also has exclusive jurisdiction of many family law matters, such as: adoptions, making parentage orders where children have been conceived via assisted reproduction, a division of family property (assets and debts), setting aside or enforcing agreements dealing with property, annulments and divorces or orders under the federal Divorce Act, and appointments of trustees over children’s property. The Supreme Court can also hear appeals of decisions made in the Provincial Court. There are court filing fees in Supreme Court and the processes, governed by the Supreme Court Family Rules, are more formal and less accessible without legal representation. Depending on the specifics of your family law matter, it may take longer for your case to get into court, but there is an ability to win a cost award if your case is successful.
Firstly, make sure you talk to your accountant to see if incorporation works financially. Secondly, research possible names for your company and availability of same. You will want to talk to your lawyer about the legal aspects of incorporation including limited liability.
Mediation is usually scheduled for one full day. It can either take place in-person in a boardroom all together, or via Zoom, with each party and the mediator joining from their own quiet, private location. Mediation always includes the mediator, and each of the parties and can sometimes include lawyers for the parties, as well as additional experts to provide information about financials or the needs of the children. At the start of mediation, everyone works together to determine what topics will be discussed and in what order. Ground rules may be established, such as respectful communication and staying solution-focused. The trained mediator facilitates discussions about each issue to help the parties come up with solutions and reach an agreement in their own terms. If agreements are reached, they are written down and collected so they can to into a separation agreement that each party will sign.
Estate planning usually consists of three prongs: Wills, Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements. These documents are three of the most important things you can do for yourself.
A Will appoints an executor, whose job is to ensure that your estate will be dealt with pursuant to the terms of your Will. Before you name an executor, you should ask them if they are willing to act in that capacity. Your executor should be evenhanded and have the ability to deal with potential difficult situations when dealing with beneficiaries and heirs.
A Power of Attorney allows an individual to act in your place in making legal or financial decisions on your behalf. You must trust your attorney implicitly and they should have the knowledge required to make prudent decisions on your behalf.
A Representation Agreement allows an individual to make health and medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. It would be beneficial if the person you choose is a relative or close friend who understands your wishes and beliefs when making those decisions on your behalf.
Contact Warsh Law Corporation today to schedule your consultation and receive experienced, personalized legal guidance.
