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 K.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, K.C. and Jane Henderson, K.C.
- Counsel, Mediator, Arbitrator, Parenting Coordinator and Hear the Child Interviewer
Shauna Tucker, Partner
Shauna has practiced family and elder law as a lawyer and dispute resolution professional at Brown Henderson Melbye in Victoria since 2014. After receiving her LLB from the University of Toronto in 1990 Shauna worked at Canada’s largest law firm, and then a mid-sized boutique firm in Vancouver, before moving to Victoria. She works hard with her clients to help them understand and access the different dispute resolution tools that will work best for them.
- Counsel, 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. Carli enjoys files for family matters including cohabitation agreements, separation agreements, and divorces. She also takes cases on for wills and estates matters.
- Counsel
Jake Holm, Lawyer
Jake is a born and raised Vancouver Islander and was called to the Bar after completing law school at the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining Brown Henderson Melbye, Jake worked as Crown counsel for Justice Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria, where he graduated with honors and distinction.
- Counsel
Deryck Harry, Lawyer
Deryck joined Brown Henderson Melbye in 2022 as an associate counsel. In addition to family law, he practices civil litigation with a focus in privacy and defamation, as well as criminal law. Deryck can regularly be found in court advocating for his clients in high conflict and property division cases. When out of court, Deryck strives to apply alternate dispute resolution techniques to bring about creative solutions for his client’s problems. Deryck was called to the Bar in May, 2019. He holds a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Victoria and his Juris Doctorate from the Thompson Rivers University.
- Counsel
Annabelle Gosling, Lawyer
Annabelle obtained her law degree at the University of Edinburgh, where she achieved an LL.B. with Distinction. Annabelle’s professional endeavors both before and after her call date, have given her the unique opportunity of developing skills in the areas of family law, wills and estates, and civil litigation.
Annabelle is proud to provide legal help to people from all backgrounds including members of the LGBTQ+ community. She can assist you with your family law matter in the present, and help you prepare for the future with effective estate planning.
- Counsel
Patricia
Paralegal to Samantha Rapoport, Client Intake: Patricia@bhmlawyers.ca
Patricia graduated from the Criminal Justice Program at Camosun College before channeling her interest in law into a career as a legal assistant. She has over two decades of experience helping family law clients.
Cindy
Designated Paralegal to Shauna Tucker: Cindy@bhmlawyers.ca
Cindy graduated from Sprott Shaw in 1999. She has more than 20 years in the legal field and has worked at Brown Henderson Melbye since August of 2021.
When she’s not in the office Cindy enjoys live music, reading, and spending time near the ocean, especially with her adorable little dog Bella!
Abigail (Abi)
Legal Assistant to Jake Holm: ASimard@bhmlawyers.ca
Abi graduated Camosun College’s Legal Assistant program in 2021 and is a certified Legal Assistant. Her organization and attention to detail benefits the firm and influences her coworkers. In her spare time, you can find Abi in nature while with friends and family.
Sara
BCPA Registered Paralegal to Kay Melbye and Deryck Harry: smiller@bhmlawyers.ca
Sara graduated from the Legal Assistant Program at Camosun College in 2009 and has been working in Family Law ever since. She then furthered her education and graduated from Capilano Universities Paralegal Program in 2017. Her experience and education has given her a wide knowledge in all aspects of the law, but her preference has always been to work in family law as it is an ever changing area and she truly enjoys helping people with empathy and kindness while guiding them through what can be a very challenging period of their life.
In Sara’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family, pets, and being active. You can often find Sara lifting weights, going for runs within the community, or spending time in nature.
Jody
BCPA Registered Paralegal to Samantha Rapoport and Jake Holm: jody@bhmlawyers.ca
Jody graduated from the University of Victoria with a double major in Political Science and Creative Writing. After 18 years in writing and editing across a huge range of professional fields, she decided to refresh her career, recently completing her paralegal certification. Jody is grateful she’s being turned loose in the world of law under the guidance of the experienced, outstanding, respected, and compassionate team at Brown Henderson Melbye, but really, the office dogs sealed the deal for her.
Jody is happiest spending time outside with her family and friends. She has been a volunteer at Victoria Hospice since 2018.
Effrossini
Designated Paralegal to Trudi Brown K.C.: ESimpson@bhmlawyers.ca
Effrossini graduated from Concord Law School, Purdue University and is a licensed attorney in the state of California. She is currently in the process of attaining membership to the BC Law Society and is gaining valuable insight and expertise in the area of family law while working at Brown Henderson Melbye.
Hailey
Legal Assistant to Carli Ziegler: hailey@bhmlawyers.ca
Hailey graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a double minor in Psychology and Criminal Law and Justice Studies. She had the opportunity to use her education working as a legal assistant in Regina for 2.5 years before moving to Victoria in summer 2022. Hailey started working here at Brown Henderson Melbye in July 2022 where she is a vital part of the team.
In her spare time Hailey likes to get out and explore Vancouver Island especially by hiking. She also enjoys baking and the rest of the office gets to enjoy her talents!
Jannike
Bookkeeper/HR/Office Manager: jannike@bhmlawyers.ca
Decker
Happy Greeter
Bella
Friendly Assistant to Cindy