Understanding the BC Landscape

Understanding the intricacies of the business environment in British Columbia requires a profound understanding of the local dynamics, compliance standards, and industry nuances. Our team brings not only legal knowledge but also a profound understanding of human resources and organizational development specific to the BC context.

Tailored Solutions, Legal Insight

Comprehensive Needs Analysis:

Our approach begins with an in-depth needs analysis, allowing us to identify specific areas for performance improvement. Leveraging legal acumen and the deep knowledge of our CPHR professionals, our team crafts assessments that not only comply with legal standards but also address the unique challenges faced by businesses in BC.

Customized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

We go beyond generic metrics. Our CPHR professional tailors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to reflect the values, objectives, and cultural nuances of BC companies. The result? Meaningful and relevant indicators that drive success.

Fairness and Equity:

Ensuring fairness and equity is not just a commitment; it’s ingrained in our approach. With a legal professional holding a CPHR designation, we strive for assessments that are transparent, unbiased, and aligned with both legal and ethical standards.

Legal Expertise, Human-Centric Approach

Our CPHR professional, also seasoned in legal matters, integrates legal acumen with a human-centric approach. This synergy enables us to develop performance assessment solutions that not only adhere to legal standards but also connect with the individuals propelling your organization’s success.

In the dynamic business landscape of British Columbia, understanding the intricacies is crucial. Partner with us for tailor-fitted performance assessments that not only meet legal requirements but elevate your organization’s performance to new heights. Contact us today to explore how our CPHR-led team can strategically tailor solutions to suit your unique needs.

Contact Information:

Email: melissa@northam-law.com

Phone: (604) 630-2350

Take the first step towards strategic performance management. Your success story begins with us!

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Career Journey Unveiled

Melissa captivated the audience by tracing her career path, starting from her graduation at UP College of Mass Communication to her managerial role at ABS-CBN, overseeing actors and actresses. Despite the challenges, including pursuing law at the UP College of Law while working full-time, Melissa’s resilience shone through. Her eventual success in the competitive Canadian job market underscored the importance of networking, humility, and determination.

As the founder of Northam Law, Melissa shared her experiences and advised students not to overlook the potential influence of family backgrounds, encouraging them to recognize and leverage their inherent strengths.

Guidance in the Professional Landscape

Offering practical tips for interviews, Melissa recommended creating multiple resume versions tailored to different contexts. Stressing the significance of research, she highlighted the importance of aligning values with potential employers. Melissa also emphasized networking, sharing personal anecdotes of how casual coffee invitations played an important role in her career journey.

Keys to University Success

Melissa delved into strategies for academic success, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. Drawing from personal experiences, she urged students to embrace challenges and highlighted the illimitable potential of self-employment. Melissa encouraged those with unique abilities or ideas to explore university support for idea incubation.

The UBC Kababayan Career Panel and Networking showcased Melissa’s insight and commitment to mentoring the next generation of professionals. Joining her were five other panelists, each bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, providing a well-rounded view of the professional landscape.

For more information about Northam Law and Melissa’s legal contributions, please visit www.northam-law.com or contact (604) 630-2350.

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About OMNI Pacific:

OMNI Pacific is a renowned organization known for bringing together thought leaders and experts across various industries to drive meaningful conversations and collaborative initiatives. The mandate of the Advisory Councils is focused on the areas of programming, community outreach, and scholarship distribution. The Advisory Council comprises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in their respective fields.

A Well-Deserved Honour:

This invitation is testament to Melissa’s outstanding contributions to the legal profession. She has consistently exhibited unwavering dedication, legal acumen, and a commitment to excellence that has caught the attention of the OMNI Pacific team.

Meet Melissa:

Melissa Briones is a licensed attorney in British Columbia and the Philippines. With over a decade of experience in commercial, business, and contract law, she’s well-versed in serving diverse industries such as manufacturing, health, real estate, and broadcast communication. Currently heading Northam Law Corporation in Kitsilano, Vancouver, Melissa’s practice covers corporate and commercial law, contracts, real estate, family law, HR, and wills and estates.

Beyond her legal practice, Melissa has been actively involved in various roles, including serving as Club Secretary for the Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview, editor-in-chief for the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, and legal advisor for the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. She is a dedicated member of organizations such as the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Soroptimist International of Vancouver, and CPHR BC and Yukon.

Melissa’s leadership extends to her role as President of the UP Alumni Association in British Columbia and as a director for the Philippines Canada Trade Council, reflecting her commitment to fostering connections between her heritage and Canada. Her active participation in committees and advisory boards, including the RCMP’s Commanding Officer Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee and the Food Processing HR Council, showcases her deep dedication to both her profession and her community.

We take immense pride in having Melissa represent us on the OMNI Pacific Advisory Council. She embodies the values of excellence and leadership that define our legal practice. Join us in congratulating Melissa on this prestigious honor. Her contributions to the legal community and dedication to advancing important conversations align perfectly with the OMNI Pacific mission.

For more information about the OMNI Pacific Advisory Council, visit https://www.omnitv.ca/advisory-council/

The post Celebrating Excellence: Melissa Briones Joins the OMNI Pacific Advisory Council appeared first on Northam Law Corporation.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility for Divorce in BC

Before you start, confirm your eligibility for a divorce in BC. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to apply for a divorce in any province where you have lived for at least one year. If you have lived in BC for at least a year, you are eligible to file for divorce here.

Step 2: Seek Legal Counsel

Given the complexity of international divorces, it is highly recommended to seek legal advice. Northam Law can guide you through the process and ensure your interests are represented.

Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents

You will need to provide your original marriage certificate or a duly certified copy. If the marriage certificate is not in English, you’ll need to have it professionally translated. Other important documents may include identification, proof of residency in BC, and proof of Canadian citizenship.

Step 4: File for Divorce

Your lawyer will help you prepare and file a Notice of Family Claim at the BC Supreme Court. This document formally starts the divorce process. It outlines the orders you’re asking the court to make, such as spousal support, child custody, or division of property.

Step 5: Serve Your Spouse

You must legally serve your spouse with a copy of the filed Notice of Family Claim. If your spouse is in the Philippines, Northam Law can discuss options with you as to how this may be done.

Step 6: Wait for Response

After being served, your spouse has 30 days to file a Response to Family Claim. If they don’t respond within this period, you may apply to proceed with the divorce as an undefended (“uncontested”) matter.

Step 7: Attend Court Proceedings

If the divorce is contested, you will have to attend court proceedings to resolve the issues. If it is uncontested, the process is simpler, and you may not need to appear in court at all.

Step 8: Finalize the Divorce

Once all issues are resolved, the court will grant a Divorce Order. After a 31-day appeal period, you can request a Certificate of Divorce. The Certificate of Divorce is the final document in your divorce process, which officially ends your marriage.

Remember that while this blog post aims to provide a helpful guide, it does not substitute legal advice. Laws surrounding divorce, particularly international divorce, can be complex. It’s always recommended to consult with a lawyer to understand your rights and the procedures involved fully. Northam Law can help you. For more details, see Family Law.

The post How to Get a Divorce in BC as a Canadian Citizen Married in the Philippines appeared first on Northam Law Corporation.

Since its launch on June 1, 2023, FCLN has hosted annual events to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month. This year was unique due to the event’s hybrid format, which comprised an in-person meeting in Vancouver along with a virtual engagement for those who could not travel.

Justice Aubrey Hilliard was the keynote speaker, sharing her reflections on her Filipino heritage, her professional journey, and the essential role of diversity and inclusion in the justice system. Alicia S. Natividad, B.A. L.L.B., founder and Past President of FCLN, moderated the enriching panel discussion that followed.

Each of the panelists illuminated the discussion with their personal journeys in the legal profession. They candidly addressed their experiences as Filipino Canadians in the law field, discussing the unique challenges they faced during their career trajectories.

Briones, Cabanos, Nicolas and Panadero unanimously echoed the importance of diversity and inclusion within the legal sphere, reflecting on their roles as articling students, associates, and later, partners or owners in their respective law firms. Their narratives underscored the importance of representation and equal opportunities within the justice system.

Each panelist also touched upon the influential role of lawyers as societal role models and expressed their interest in networking with other Filipino Canadian lawyers across Canada. They stressed the importance of such connections for personal and professional growth, as well as for the strengthening of the Filipino Canadian legal community.

In conclusion, the panelists offered invaluable advice to aspiring Filipino Canadian legal professionals. Their inspiring words provided a mix of practical advice and motivational encouragement, reminding the audience of the potential for success regardless of the hurdles they may encounter.

The FCLN’s Filipino Heritage Month celebration was a resounding success. This event stands as a testament to the vibrant Filipino Canadian legal community in Vancouver and across the nation, embodying FCLN’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement in the justice system.

(Photo from FCLN Facebook Page)

The post FCLN Celebrates Filipino Heritage Month: An Insightful Gathering with Vancouver Lawyers appeared first on Northam Law Corporation.

“The Indomitable Canadian Filipino” stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of experiences and contributions made by Canadian Filipinos. Within its pages, readers will discover inspiring tales of triumph over adversity, tales of cultural heritage and identity, and tales of relentless determination that have paved the way for success. Prepare to be enthralled by the captivating narratives, insightful interviews, and stunning visuals that bring these extraordinary stories to life.

“The Indomitable Canadian Filipino” derives its content from the online semi-monthly publication CanadianFilipino.Net, a nationally recognized periodical for Filipino-Canadians. Eleanor R. Laquian edited “The Indomitable Canadian Filipino”, and she began her research on Filipinos in Canada with a comprehensive nationwide survey in 1972, employing both questionnaires and face-to-face interviews – a pioneering effort of its kind in Canada. She furthered her research with a follow-up survey in 2005 for the book “Seeking a Better Life Abroad: A Study of Filipinos in Canada 1957-2007,” which she co-wrote with her husband, Aprodicio “Prod” Laquian. Her research into Filipino immigration remains ongoing.

Northam Law’s Atty. Melissa Briones wrote an article featured in the book.

Get your copy now by scanning the QR code above. Happy reading!

#IndomitableCanadianFilipinos #CanadianFilipinocommunity #Inspiration #NorthamLaw #Booklaunch

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