MacLean Law In the News

May 15, 2026 - For decades, Doyle’s Guide has been one of the legal industry’s most respected independent ranking organizations, recognizing leading lawyers and law firms across Canada, Australia, Asia, and the United Kingdom. Its rankings are based on extensive peer-review research, industry feedback, client recognition, and the professional reputation of lawyers within their areas of practice. MacLean Law is proud to announce that both the firm and its lawyers continue to receive recognition from Doyle’s Guide for excellence in family and matrimonial law matters in British Columbia.

April 21, 2026 - MacLean Law is proud to announce that it has been recognized as an Excellence Awardee for Boutique Law Firm of the Year by the prestigious Canadian Law Awards. This distinction reflects the award winning lawyers and their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional legal services, advancing family law practice, and achieving results for family law clients in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Calgary.

Vancouver, BC – March 2026: Fraser MacLean’s designation as Lexpert Lawyer to Watch in Family Law in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory is one of the most respected peer-reviewed honours in Canadian law.

This designation is generally reserved for younger lawyers under 40. Fraser has been identified by his peers as one of the most talented up-and-coming practitioners in the field of family law. As an entirely peer-nominated recognition, it is not something lawyers can apply for. It has to be earned through reputation.

Vancouver, BC – March 2026: MacLean Law, one of Canada’s premier family law firms, is proud to announce its distinction as a LEXPERT Ranked Leading Law Firm, reaffirming its position as one of the top-tier family law practices in Western Canada.

Founded in 1983 by Lorne MacLean, KC, the firm began as a boutique family law practice built upon MacLean’s passion, integrity, and client-focused advocacy. More than four decades later, MacLean Law has grown into one of the largest and most awarded family law and divorce teams in Canada, trusted by high and ultra high net worth individuals navigating complex divorce and separation matters.

For the 12th time, MacLean Family Law has been honoured as Vancouver’s Top Choice for Family Law Firm, earning this distinction again in 2026. This recognition reflects more than popularity, it speaks to sustained excellence, trust, and proven results in some of the most complex family law matters in Canada.

At MacLean Law, our aim is to pursue fairness relentlessly and to guide clients through emotionally and financially significant family law challenges with clarity, confidence, and strength. This award reinforces the confidence our clients place in us year after year.

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

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.

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

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