YLaw Group

What are non-compete clauses, and are they enforceable in British Columbia?

In this video, YLaw’s employment lawyers explain what non-compete agreements mean for employees and employers, and how BC law treats these restrictive covenants.

We discuss:
* What is a non-compete clause?
* Are non-competes enforceable in BC?
* Employee and employer rights
* Alternatives to non-compete agreements

Click the link in our bio for more information and to book a consultation.

We’re honored to be recognized as the second fastest growing law firm in the Americas! 🎉

Thank you to our clients and everyone who continues to support and trust us. 💛

What are distributive taxes, and how do they affect your divorce settlement?

YLaw family lawyer Leena Yousefi explains how taxes on asset division can significantly reduce what you receive and strategies to minimize or eliminate them in BC.

We cover:
- What distributive taxes are and why they matter
- Types of taxes: capital gains, RSP equalization, property transfer, TFSA
- How taxes affect the true value of your settlement
- Common misconceptions about 50/50 asset division
- Strategies to minimize or eliminate tax liability
- Principal residence exemptions and tax deferral options
- Using trusts and proper agreement drafting to avoid taxes
- Special considerations for shares and company divisions

Understanding distributive taxes is crucial in divorce—what looks like a $500,000 settlement could be significantly less after taxes. YLaw specializes in high-net-worth, multi-jurisdictional, and complex corporate cases, ensuring you maximize your settlement while minimizing tax obligations.

Click the link in our bio for more information or to book a consultation.

What can a strata lawyer do for your strata council? YLaw's Leena Yousefi breaks down how legal counsel helps navigate bylaws, disputes, and compliance issues in British Columbia.

We cover:
- Drafting and interpreting strata bylaws
- Defending complaints filed against the strata
- Navigating resolutions and owner disputes
- Reducing council liability exposure

Strata disputes are increasing. A strata lawyer helps diffuse conflicts, apply bylaws correctly, and protect your council from liability.

For assistance with strata matters, visit YLaw at https://ylaw.ca or call (604) 974-9529.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, leadership, and resilience of women everywhere.

As a female-led law firm, we are proud to be part of a profession where women lead with purpose and advocate for meaningful change.

Today we recognize and celebrate those women who make an impact in our firm, in the legal community, and in the lives of the clients we serve.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Does your business have a social media policy? YLaw's employment lawyer Leena Yousefi explains why every BC employer needs clear guidelines for employee social media use, and how to protect your brand when policies are violated.

We cover:
* Why social media policies are essential for protecting your business
* How employee posts can impact your company's reputation
* When private social media accounts fall under company policy
* Policy violations that can lead to termination for cause

Don't wait until a social media incident damages your business. Get your BC-compliant policy in place now.

For help drafting a social media policy, contact our office to learn more and book your initial consultation.

Mediation isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is what makes it so effective.

Justin Murphy, family lawyer and mediator at YLaw, explains what mediation can really look like in practice. Mediation is designed to meet people where they’re at. This can range from how sessions are structured, to how flexible the process can be depending on the family and the issues involved.

Whether parties are working through property division, parenting arrangements, or other family law issues, mediation can provide a more collaborative, cost-effective, and solutions-focused alternative to court.

Understanding how mediation works is often the first step toward resolving disputes with less conflict and more control over the outcome.

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call (604) 974-9529.

⚠️Hiring your first employee?

Hiring your first employee is exciting but even one legal mistake can cost you thousands. These are three things about employment law that every employer needs to understand before making their first hire.

Salary isn’t the full cost. Beyond wages, employers are responsible for CPP, EI, benefits, and insurance. If cash flow becomes an issue, you may be able to terminate employment — but you can’t simply stop paying someone.

Misclassifying workers carries serious legal risk. Calling someone a “contractor” doesn’t make them one. If you control their schedule, location, equipment, or prevent subcontracting, BC law will likely treat them as an employee. Misclassification can lead to liability for years of back taxes, CPP, and EI.

If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen. Courts rely on documentation and without emails, performance reviews, or written warnings, a “for cause” termination is far more likely to be found unfair.

For more information, visit ylaw.ca or call (604) 974-9529.

If you’re being bullied or harassed at work, what you do next matters more than you think.

Many workplace harassment claims fall apart, not because the harassment didn’t happen, but because it wasn’t properly documented. WorkSafeBC has a specific legal definition of bullying and harassment and you need evidence that meets it. Every incident should include the date, time, and location, exactly what was said or done, who witnessed it, and how it affected your work or well-being.

Our latest blog post explains what employees in BC need to document when facing workplace harassment and the common mistakes to avoid.

https://www.ylaw.ca/blog/document-workplace-harassment-vancouver/

If you’re experiencing workplace harassment in BC, our employment lawyers at YLaw can help you. Call us at (604) 974-9529 or email us at [email protected] to get in touch.

Are you on a fixed-term contract that ended sooner than expected?

Leena Yousefi breaks down your legal rights when a fixed-term contract is terminated early in BC. Find out if you’re entitled to severance and what steps you should take to protect yourself.

We cover:
-What is a fixed-term contract?
-When early termination is legal or illegal
-Severance rights for fixed-term employees
-What to do if your contract is cut short

For more information or to book a consultation, visit YLaw at https://ylaw.ca