Vancouver is an international city, drawing residents from all over the world.
When it comes to unravelling the complexity of estates and assets that span the globe, Clark Wilson partner Lauren Liang’s background makes her the ideal advocate for her clients.
Liang was born and educated in China, where she worked in the government sector before gaining extensive first-hand business experience by owning her own company in Shanghai.
Since moving to Vancouver to embark on her legal career, Liang has appeared before all levels of court and has been involved with several landmark cases that have been studied for their impacts on future rulings. Liang works with her colleagues in Clark Wilson’s Estates & Trusts and Strata Property groups and is co-chair of both the firm’s International Estates & Trusts and Fraud & Asset Recovery practices.
Precedent-setting results
Liang is routinely sought out to resolve disputes involving international elements and to work collaboratively with lawyers from other jurisdictions. These cases often involve unique aspects such as competing jurisdictions of countries, potential conflicts between the laws of different countries, and enforcing or defending the enforcement of foreign judgments in Canada.
One of her most notable cases, Wei v. Mei, was the first decision of a Canadian court to recognize and enforce a civil mediation paper from China. It is also the first case in which the Canadian court allowed a foreign judgment containing a penalty rate in contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada to be enforced in Canada at the maximum interest rate of 60% allowed under Canadian law. Liang effectively turned a $5-million foreign judgment into a $22-million Canadian judgement in her client’s favour. She successfully defended the appeal of the judgment, including the Supreme Court of Canada leave application.
At the beginning of the lawsuit, Liang also successfully obtained a worldwide injunction order, freezing the opposing party’s global assets, including three luxurious properties in B.C. This freezing order ensured her client’s recovery of the judgment amount.
The Wei v. Mei case has been studied and analyzed by legal scholars and professionals alike across Canada, China and the United States for its precedent-setting effect.
Cross-cultural background
In addition to a successful track record, Liang is one of just a few litigators practicing within a major law firm in B.C. who is able to assist clients fluently in English and Mandarin. As a result of her legal work and her involvement in a number of international professional networks, Liang has built strong relationships with contacts around the globe.
Further, clients appreciate Liang’s cultural competency.
“I really understand why they have the concerns that they do, especially with my estate planning clients. This understanding can greatly assist me in addressing their concerns in a culturally appropriate way and clients always appreciate that,” Liang says.
With a deep understanding of Chinese culture, Liang’s international experience and connections make her an invaluable resource to clients managing their businesses and assets around the globe.
Estate and trust litigation, estate planning and administration
Liang represents parties in multi-jurisdictional estate litigation. This usually involves beneficiaries, assets and holdings in more than one country, which is increasingly common as Vancouver becomes a global hub.
She assists other professionals, such as financial advisors and accountants, with the estate planning of their high net-worth clients, as well as advising executors on estate administrations.
Liang also represents trustees or beneficiaries in claims relating to trusts or who are challenging or defending the validity of wills among other claims.
“Many people don’t like to talk about wills and it’s considered taboo. Parents may feel offended if children bring it up. This is particularly true for people from the Chinese culture. But I try to approach this topic from the perspective of a litigation lawyer. I have seen all kinds of fights and disputes amongst family members and the purpose of estate planning is to avoid expensive litigation,” says Liang.
General litigation and asset recovery
Liang represents parties in enforcing foreign judgement or defending the enforcement of foreign judgement in Canada. Much like in her Wei v. Mei case, Liang is tasked with representing parties in asset tracing, freezing, injunction and recovery.
“As long as we can find defendants' assets somewhere we can pursue them for further enforcement,” Liang says.
She also represents clients in contractual disputes and general litigation.
Community connections
As a first generation immigrant from China, Liang is committed to promote charitable giving in the Chinese community.
She has served as an advisory member of the Chinese-Canadian Planned Gift Committee of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation since 2012 and a director of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. since 2018. Prior to her legal career, Liang volunteered for the Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada from 2001 to 2009. Over the years, she has dedicated numerous hours throughout her career providing pro bono legal advice to people who cannot otherwise afford legal services.
If you would like to learn how to protect your wealth, contact Lauren Liang directly by email at [email protected] or by phone at 604-891-7734.
