Valerie LeBlanc, LL.B

Valerie A. LeBlanc (MA, LLB) is an associate at Epp, having completed her articles with the firm in 2011. She works with Ken Friesen on his litigation files, particularly in the wills and estates and commercial areas. Originally from Atlantic Canada, Valerie and her husband have made Vancouver their home since 2008.

Prior to her legal career, Valerie studied anthropology at the University of New Brunswick. During her undergraduate degree, she was honoured to be one of five Canadian university students chosen to participate in excavating the site of the home of 17th century French explorer Samuel de Champlain as part of commemorative celebrations for the 400th anniversary of his founding of the first French settlement in North America in 1604. This was particularly meaningful for her as Champlain’s settlement paved the way for her own ancestors’ journey to Acadia (modern day Nova Scotia) over 300 years ago. In 2007, Valerie completed her masters degree in anthropology, focusing on changing social and cultural understandings of illness and how social behaviours can become “medicalized” as illnesses requiring medical treatment.

As a former legal assistant and legal assistant course instructor, Valerie knows the nitty gritty of court forms and procedures. She also understands that litigation (complete with its own set of jargon) can be intimidating and so she takes the time to answer questions whenever possible and to guide clients through the legal process from start to finish. As part of the estate litigation group, Valerie is familiar with estate planning, probate and estate administration in addition to the most common areas of estate litigation. These include disputes due to questions regarding the willmaker’s mental capabilities (“testamentary capacity”) or susceptibility to pressure from others (“undue influence”) when making their wills and estate plans, as well as wills that may not adequately provide for the willmaker’s surviving spouse or children (“wills variation”).

When not at the office, Valerie can be found at any number of Vancouver’s excellent parks playing with her little one’s or else in the kitchen tinkering with a recipe.

For matters of Civil and Estate Litigation, contact Valerie by phone or email.

Direct: 604 264-4377
vleblanc@friesenandepp.com

 

Assistant to Valerie LeBlanc

CINDY NGUYEN

604.264.8386
cnguyen@friesenandepp.com

 

Areas of Practice: Civil and Estate Litigation, Disinheritance, Mediation.