Our Team
Our team members span the generations and come from a variety of backgrounds. We can give you legal advice, or help you resolve disputes. Collectively our family law experience exceeds 125 years, and at the core of what we do is care for the people and families we help.
Trudi Brown Q.C., Partner
Trudi was called to the B.C. bar in 1974 and then practiced for four years with the B.C. Crown Counsel Office in Victoria before leaving to form the firm of Buckler Metzger Brown and Miliken in 1978. In 2017 she received the first Excellence in Family Law Award from the Law Society of BC.
- Counsel, Mediator, Arbitrator and Hear the Child Interviewer
Kay Melbye, Partner
Kay was born and raised in Victoria and obtained her Law Degree from the University of Victoria. She was called to the BC Bar in May 1999 and articled and practiced civil litigation with the law firm of Cook Roberts from 1998 through 2001. In April 2001 Kay moved from Cook Roberts to join Trudi L. Brown, Q.C. and Jane Henderson, Q.C.
- Counsel, Mediator, Arbitrator, Parenting Coordinator and Hear the Child Interviewer
Shauna Tucker, Partner
Shauna received her LLB from the University of Toronto in 1990 and practiced as a family, estates and commercial litigator for one of Canada’s largest national firms, and more recently in a boutique class action firm, before moving to Victoria to focus on family and elder law.
- Counsel, Collaborative Lawyer, Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator
Samantha Rapoport, Partner
Samantha focuses her practice on families, children, and seniors. Sam looks for practical and cost-effective ways to assist clients (and their families) move forward in times of transition.
- Counsel
Carli Ziegler, Partner
Carli joined Brown Henderson Melbye after moving to Victoria from South Africa where she practiced family law for 12 years. She has had her credentials recognized in Canada and was called to the BC Bar in 2019.
- Counsel
Jake Holm, Lawyer
Jake is a born and raised Vancouver Islander. He was called to the Bar in 2020 after completing law school at the University of British Columbia. Jake is passionate about providing excellent counsel and care to his clients and is a strong advocate for their interests throughout the life of a file.
- Counsel
Clay John, Lawyer
Clay joined the firm in 2020 as an articling student and was called to the BC Bar in 2021.
- Counsel
Patricia Routien
Paralegal, Client Intake: Patricia@bhmlawyers.ca
Patricia graduated from the Criminal Justice Program at Camosun College before channelling her interest in law into a career as a legal assistant. She has over two decades of experience helping family law clients.
Catherine Gray
Paralegal to Trudi Brown and Shauna Tucker: Catherine@bhmlawyers.ca
Before her Victoria move, Catherine Gray came to us from Manitoba. She grew up on a farm and moved to Winnipeg upon high school graduation. Having always loved law, she took a new paralegal program offered at Red River Community College.
Kim Hudson
Legal Assistant to Clay John: Kim@bhmlawyers.ca
Kim began working for Brown Henderson Melbye in November 2015, where her strengths in the areas of proofreading and drafting affidavits are appreciated and utilized.
Candy Arthur
Legal Assistant to Kay Melbye: candy@bhmlawyers.ca
Jessica Neal
Legal Assistant to Samantha Rapoport: Jessica@bhmlawyers.ca
Jessica holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, and is completing additional studies at Dalhousie University.
Helen Cashin
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Judy Arsenault
Office Manager
Alexis Boothroyd
Dyson
Director of Wellness
Decker
Happy Greeter