Brian Yuen
WILLS and ESTATES LAWYER, VANCOUVER
About Brian Yuen
Litigation Counsel
With over 18 years of experience as a dedicated litigator, Brian Yuen brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to his practice, combining high-stakes litigation expertise with meticulous legal strategy. Called to the bar in 2008, Brian has developed a robust career spanning civil litigation, immigration, and refugee law, with a primary focus on navigating the complexities of trusts, wills, estates, probate, and elder law.
Primary Areas of Practice
Brian’s practice is dedicated to helping individuals and families protect their legacies and resolve sensitive legal disputes. His core areas of expertise include:
Wills & Estate Litigation
Representing clients in will variation claims, proving the validity of wills, and the removal or replacement of executors.
Estate Planning and Administration
Guiding clients through the legal requirements of managing an estate with precision and care.
Elder Law
Handling private committeeships and the resealing of foreign grants of probates.
Immigration & Refugee Law
Navigating family reunifications, refugee claims, and complex judicial reviews at the Federal Court of Canada.
A Diverse Legal Foundation
Before focusing on estates, Brian built an extensive background in personal injury litigation, insurance defense, and human rights law. He has successfully represented clients before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and various specialized tribunals, including the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Community Leadership & Involvement
Brian is deeply committed to the legal profession and the British Columbia community, holding numerous leadership and mentorship roles:
- Continuing Legal Education BC: Currently serving as a Director of the Board.
- Canadian Bar Association (CBA): Currently serves as the Vancouver County Elected Representative and Secretary-Treasurer of SAGDA National.
- CBA Leadership History: Former Chair of SOGIC (National and BC branches), and former representative for the Equality, Young Lawyers, Wills & Trusts, and Immigration sections.
- Advocacy & Mentorship: CBA mentor and Barry Sullivan Cup judge.
- Non-Profit Boards: Former Director of the Board of YouthCO AIDS Society and Former Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Business Association of BC.
Education & Professional Memberships
Brian’s academic background is as diverse as his practice, providing him with a unique toolkit for complex problem-solving.
- Juris Doctor: University of Victoria (2007)
- Bachelor of Arts: University of British Columbia (2002)
- Specialized Certificates: UBC Certificates in Real Estate (2008) and Immigration (2019)
- Music: Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto (Piano Performer and Teacher, 1999)
Memberships
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Trial Lawyers Association of BC
- Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
- Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers
Personal Touch
Beyond the office, Brian is a competitive bodybuilding enthusiast and is active in dog fostering and training. He is fluent in Cantonese and conversant in Mandarin, allowing him to serve a wide range of clients within the Vancouver community. Brian is also a foodie and avid traveller.