MacLean Law In the News

Lorne MacLean, KC named a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers

Membership in the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) is highly prestigious because it is an invitation-only organization for the most experienced and skilled international family law specialists in their countries, recognizing lawyers for significant expertise in family law with a substantial international component to their practice. The rigorous, selective application process and the organization’s commitment to improving international family law administration and justice highlight the high standing of its members.

Read the Press Release

Fraser MacLean Named to Canadian Lawyer’s 2025 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers

Canadian Lawyer has recognized Fraser MacLean as one of its 2025 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, honouring his significant contributions to the profession and his lasting impact on family law in Canada.

MacLean Law stands among a select group of Canadian firms specializing in ultra-high-net-worth international divorce. The firm has achieved precedent-setting results, including record interim, permanent, and lump sum support awards, as well as landmark rulings on special costs, jail sentences for parties found in contempt, and cross-border enforcement under Hague and foreign judgment cases.

In addition, MacLean Law was named Canadian Family Law Firm of the Year in 2024 and has been a finalist in the category for three consecutive years.

Read the article on Fraser MacLean's win

Canadian Lawyer Magazine on Landmark AI Ruling

When hallucinated case law surfaced in a Canadian courtroom in Zhang v. Chen, 2024 BCSC 285, Fraser MacLean helped to set a national precedent by successfully challenging the false citations. In speaking with Canadian Lawyer, he said, “The problem isn’t that AI was used. It’s that lawyers submitted citations to the court that were completely fabricated.” Fraser's advocacy sparked a national reckoning on the responsible use of AI in law.

Read the article at Canadian Lawyer Magazine to see why banning AI isn't the solution.

As common-law relationships become more common in Canada, family lawyers are advising couples to consider entering cohabitation agreements. Similar to a prenuptial agreement — or prenup — a cohabitation agreement sets out how cohabitating partners will divide their assets, and whether they will owe spousal support, in the event of a break-up.

Fraser MacLean, a family lawyer at MacLean Law in Vancouver, recalls one client’s surprise at learning his former girlfriend was entitled to half the growth of his assets in the two years the couple had been together. The woman was claiming a stake worth millions, he says.

Read more at Canadian Affairs Magazine.

Lorne MacLean, KC, and Fraser MacLean, have both been selected as Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America. MacLean is the founder of MacLean Law, one of Canada’s top-rated family law firms, and is widely recognized as one of the country’s most accomplished family lawyers.

The Litigation Counsel of America is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society established to reflect the new face of the American bar. Select Canadian fellows are also eligible. Membership is limited to 3,500 Fellows, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.

Earlier this month, we announced that Fraser MacLean has been nominated for Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the prestigious Changemaker category.

At just 34, Fraser has already helped define a critical frontier in Canadian law: the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the justice system. His landmark case, Zhang v. Chen, sparked national policy change after revealing the use of AI-generated, fake legal citations in court — the first case of its kind in Canada.

Behind the headlines, Fraser continues to transform Canadian family law. His litigation record includes:

• Securing one of BC’s largest-ever interim support awards
• Prevailing in 30-day trials involving complex parenting and support disputes
• Shaping law on cross-border custody, parental alienation, and procedural fairness
• Writing articles now cited in leading national legal texts

For the 11th time, MacLean Family Law has been recognized as Vancouver’s Top Choice for Family Law Firm in 2025. This prestigious award reflects our ongoing commitment to achieving fairness and helping clients navigate their family law matters with confidence. Our impressive record of success at the Supreme Court of Canada, the BC Supreme Court, and the BC Court of Appeal underscores our dedication to delivering positive outcomes for our clients.

Top Choice Awards gathers feedback from thousands of clients and customers each year, resulting in a comprehensive list of businesses featured on iTrustLocal.com. These businesses are then eligible to compete for the Top Choice Award through the annual survey. The Top Choice Award Winners Directory is actively used in over 30 cities across North America every day.

Fraser MacLean was lead counsel in the landmark ruling pertaining to Canada’s first fake case hallucinations by artificial intelligence (AI) after discovering fake legal cases.

How AI Is Impacting Immigration Cases And What To Expect

Court hits B.C. lawyer with costs over fake AI-generated cases, despite no intent to deceive

B.C. lawyer reprimanded for citing fake cases invented by ChatGPT
Lawyer warns 'integrity of the entire system in jeopardy' if rising use of AI in legal circles goes wrong

Canada lawyer under fire for submitting fake cases created by AI chatbot

AI 'hallucinations' created by ChatGPT ends up costing B.C. lawyer

AI 'hallucinations' used by lawyer in B.C. court a wake-up call, say experts

AI 'hallucinations' used by lawyer in B.C. court a wake-up call, say experts

AI 'hallucinations' used by lawyer in B.C. court a wake-up call, say experts

AI 'hallucinations' created by ChatGPT ends up costing B.C. lawyer

B.C. mom collecting $17K in benefits seeks support from 'ultra-high net worth' ex-husband

MacLean Law was asked to clarify the facts of the child parenting time and child support case involving Tay Tian (Lil Tay) on behalf of our client her mother. The statement was released and covered by various news outlets.

Official Statement re "Lil Tay"

MacLean Law is the Vancouver, Canada, family law attorney for ‘Lil Tay’ and her mother, Angela Tian.

We have been asked to clarify media confusion as to the current state of the family law proceedings, including custody, child parenting and child support.

Given privacy concerns related to the children, we can provide a brief status update on the results in the British Columbia Supreme Court.

MacLean Law was pleased to have successfully obtained the following orders for our client that have enabled her daughter to advance her career, including obtaining orders for:

a) retroactive child support owed by the father since 2014, amounting to approximately $275,000;
b) ongoing monthly child support from the father, plus additional expenses;
c) sole day-to-day and final decision-making powers and responsibilities in the best interests of Tay Tian for Ms. Tian as sole guardian of Tay Tian;
d) Tay Tian’s primary residence being with her mother, Ms. Tian; and
e) entitlement to relocate outside of Vancouver for Ms. Tian and Tay Tian.

- Lil Tay, 14-year-old whose death was hoaxed, returns with music video, shocking accusations

- The Brief Death (and Short Rebirth) of Lil Tay

- Mom Gives Update on Custody Battle

- Lawyers for Lil Tay’s Mother Address Custody Battle in Statement Following Death Hoax

- Lil Tay, mom win $275K ‘nightmare’ custody battle against dad

- Lil Tay makes grand return with new music video following death hoax
- Lil Tay is alive, living with her mom after custody, child support battle in Canada

- Lil Tay's mother BREAKS SILENCE as she and social media star's father reach $275K custody agreement

- Lil Tay's Death Announcement Removed from Instagram as Dad, Lawyer Unable to Confirm News

- Lil Tay's Mom Angela Tian Details Custody Battle and "Severe" Depression Following Death Hoax

Lorne MacLean, KC, won a record setting $116,000 per month spousal and child support award, a multimillion dollar lump sum award and a record $1.5 million special costs award, winning in The B.C. Supreme Court involving an international divorce involving an ultra-wealthy Singapore couple.

- Wife wins $100,000 monthly support, plus millions more

- Reprehensible’: Singapore doctor who said Canadian judge in divorce case ‘spread her legs’ ordered to pay ex-wife US$18 million

A Vancouver Island woman in a “custody” battle over four frozen embryos was successful at a B.C. Supreme Court hearing in her bid to have them preserved for at least six more months.

 - Who owns frozen embryos? The fate of four at stake in this divorce battle