Diane Bell is a partner of the firm and chairs the Alternate Dispute Resolution Group. She is recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in Canada 2011 in two areas of practice: mediation and family law. Diane is also listed in the Lexpert Directory as "repeatedly recommended" attesting to her practical and goal oriented approach to dispute resolution. Diane has garnered a considerable reputation as a formidable mediator and is used extensively by her peers.

Diane's mediation practice focuses on complex financial cases. These cases involve claims to business interests, particularly in family law disputes, along with a variety of other commercial disputes including but not limited to insurance claims, offshore asset disputes, pension interest disputes and disputes involve estates and trusts.

Diane continues her family law practice but it is limited to representation of high net worth individuals interested in a discreet and private negotiated settlement. In addition, she is particularly adept at the drafting and negotiating of Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements. In the separation setting, she guides her clients to non-litigious solutions to family law issues either through the Collaborative Divorce Process or by direct negotiation between counsel.

Diane has been published in numerous Continuing Legal Education materials including the Family Law Agreements Manual, the British Columbia Family Practice Manual, the British Columbia Family Law Sourcebook, Professional Legal Training materials, BC Women's Magazine and others. She is also one of the Editors of the Financial Aspects of Family Law sourcebook and sat as a member of the Pension Division Project Committee of the British Columbia Law Institute. She has also presented at the Pacific Business and Law Institute on What Business Owners need to know about the Family Relations Act.

Diane received her mediation training from the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia in 1992 and obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia in 1984.

Law Society of British Columbia (1985)

Canadian Bar Association

Executive Member, CBA Family Law Section

CBA Alternate Dispute Resolution Section

Past Co-Chair and Treasurer, CBA Women Rainmakers Section

Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution ("SPIDR")

Mediation Development Association of BC and Family Mediation Canada

Pension Division Project Committee, British Columbia Law Reform Commission