Michelle Guy

Principal

Michelle has practiced civil litigation and family law for more than 14 years. She has successfully represented hundreds of clients in their real estate and family law disputes, including numerous high net-worth divorces. She also advises clients on real estate transactions and marriage and separation agreements, particularly where large estates or high incomes are involved.

Michelle has a B.A. from Simon Fraser University and a law degree from the University of Victoria. Having taken numerous courses in the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Simon Fraser University, Michelle is comfortable with complex accounting matters and corporate financial statements. Michelle took the case of Sinai v. Mahmoud 2017 BCCA 155 to the British Columbia Court of Appeal, which changed the law previously prohibiting the application of a tax deduction to corporate assets during the division of family assets.

It is Michelle’s business knowledge combined with her real estate family law trial experience that enables her to approach litigation law matters, especially complex property issues, with skill and practical insight.

Michelle has appeared in all levels of Court in British Columbia, including numerous appearances at the Court of Appeal. While she has extensive litigation experience, Michelle is also a trained mediator and will exhaust all viable resolution options prior to going to court.

After practicing for many years, Michelle founded Guardian Law with the goal of modernizing the practice of law to make litigation more efficient, organized and accessible.

Notable cases in which Michelle has been successful include:

Sinai v. Mahmoud, 2017 BCCA 155
Marquez v. Zapiola, 2013 BCCA 433
Kooner v. Sangha, 2016 BCCA 147
C.H.T. v. P.V.L., 2015 BCSC 419
P.H.H. v. N.R.Y., 2015 BCSC 320

Bruce Walkinshaw

Lawyer

Bruce practices family and child protection law and has strong experience in negotiation, mediation, and litigation before both the Provincial and Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Bruce particularly specializes in helping families navigate matters regarding child custody, visitation, and parenting arrangements. He also assists parents in their disputes with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Bruce brings compassion, a comprehensive skillset and a strategic approach to his practise.

After receiving his undergrad at the University of British Columbia, Bruce went on to complete his law degree at the University of New Brunswick. During this time, he interned at the New Brunswick Court of Appeal under the Honourable Mr. Justice Bradley V. Green. He also spent a semester studying law in China at Xiamen University. Bruce is a member of both the Law Society of British Columbia and the Canadian Bar Association.

In his spare time, Bruce enjoys music, hockey, hiking and spending time with his daughter. He is a recovering political junkie.

David Exel

Lawyer

David is an associate lawyer at Guardian Law and primarily practices family law and wills and estates.

David obtained his Bachelor of Arts at McGill University and graduated with distinction in 2015. After teaching English in Japan, David completed a Juris Doctor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, where he was awarded the DLA Piper (Canada) LLP Prize in Corporate Law.

During his studies, David provided legal services to marginalized clients through the Law Students’
Legal Advice Program and the Rise Women’s Legal Centre. Prior to joining Guardian Law, David
articled at a boutique firm in downtown Vancouver and was called to the bar in 2021.

David has considerable litigation experience and has run trials in both the BC Provincial Court and
Supreme Court (J.H.F v K.B, 2022 BCSC 1219).

In his spare time, David enjoys playing volleyball and listening to audiobooks.

Cameron Sheppard

Lawyer

Cameron is an associate lawyer at Guardian Law and primarily practices family law and real estate law.

Cameron obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ryerson University and graduated with distinction. After working in the film industry in Vancouver, and then as a 9-1-1 Police call-taker and dispatcher, Cameron returned to university to study law. Cameron completed a Juris Doctor at Queen’s University Faculty of Law, where he awarded the Queen’s Law Prize in Family Law. Cameron was also grateful to have provided legal services to marginalized clients through the Queen’s Family Law Clinic.

Prior to joining Guardian Law, Cameron was a student-at-law at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer in Toronto, Ontario – an office of the Ministry of the Attorney General. The OCL mission is to represent minors in personal and property rights issues. Cameron focused on the personal rights and child protection issues within the office and was fortunate to research and observe many files in action. Cameron was called to the bar in 2022.

In his spare time, Cameron enjoys majestic B.C. – playing in the mountains, forests and oceans. He also enjoys spending far too much time with his child, an incredible mutt named Fozzie.

Romney Austin

Paralegal

Romney has a strong background in civil litigation and family law but has also worked in other areas of litigation in both the B.C. Provincial and Supreme Courts. She particularly thrives in family law knowing that she is assisting spouses and children in some of their most emotional and turbulent times.

Romney obtained her Legal Assistant Certificate at Vancouver Island University before graduating from Capilano University’s Paralegal Program where she achieved the Dean’s Merit List.

Romney works remotely from the Okanagan area. Outside of law, she spends time with her husband, Brad, their children, Brady and Emma, and enjoys walking adventures with her German Shepherd/Huskies, Jerry Lee and Azure.

George Page

Office Manager

George Page is a former District Manager with the Walgreen Drug Company located out of Deerfield, Illinois, where he worked for 34 years. George was also Vice President and Treasurer of Page-Breedlove Homes.

George received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management in 1999 from the University of Phoenix. He attended the University of Arizona from 1974–1976. George has attended various courses including Dale Carnegie Public Speaking, Zinger-Miller Communications, the American Management Association and HRC Leadership Advancement.

George currently lives in Vancouver with his husband. When not working George enjoys cooking, wine tasting, entertaining and travel.

Keisha Elliston

Legal Assistant

Keisha has worked in the Legal Industry for over 15 years after graduating from the Legal Assistant Program with Honours at Capilano University.

Keisha was a Legal Assistant to counsel for the Director of Child, Family and Community Service on child protection matters. She is excited to expand her knowledge of Family and Real Estate Law at Guardian Law.

Keisha was born in England and immigrated to Vancouver, BC in the 90’s. Keisha loves travelling, spending time with her 3 children biking, camping, and exploring new lakes.

Shari Bouchard

Legal Assistant

Shari grew up in the Lower Mainland, focusing her career on working as a legal assistant. She obtained her Legal Assistant Certificate from Capilano University.

Shari works remotely from Vancouver Island, where she lives with her husband and four beautiful children. When she is not working, you can find Shari cheering from the sidelines of the sports field or arena, staying active or catching up on her neighbourhood book club selection.

Ciara Bosdachin

Legal Assistant – On Maternity Leave

Ciara has worked as a legal assistant since 2018 when she graduated from the University of
Victoria with a BA in Political Science. She has spent the majority of her career working as a
Family Law Legal Assistant and loves the intricacies and challenges that Family Law brings. She is excited to learn more about how to support Guardian Law regarding Civil Litigation
matters and continue assisting the firm with Family Law files.

Ciara is from Vancouver Island and works remotely for the Guardian Law team! She is a new mom and recently moved to Victoria from Nanaimo to be closer to family. Something Ciara loves to do is find new campgrounds to explore and spend quality time with her husband and son.