Nicholas Picard
he/him
Born in Winnipeg, I was raised right here in Victoria, BC. Prior to law school, my diverse interests fuelled many adventures across the natural sciences, history and law. Particularly passionate about the English language, I developed expertise in its history and contemporary use, ultimately completing an undergraduate degree in Linguistics before spending several years as a professional copy editor in academic publications.
I have studied mathematics, strategy, CAD (computer-aided design), and computer science, and that background now supports my work at the forefront of the firm’s ethical adoption of AI (artificial intelligence) into our legal practices, our practice management systems, and our administrative processes.
I attended the University of Victoria for law school, where I won the Canadian Client Consultation competition, going on to represent Canada internationally with a top-three finish; I now have the privilege of coaching the UVic team. While at UVic, I served on the board of editors of Appeal, the student law journal.
I practice primarily family law, with a particular focus on child support, spousal support, and division of property and debt. I am a skilled negotiator, adept at facilitating amicable resolutions through separation agreements with a view to reducing stress, minimizing conflict, and keeping legal fees low. However, I vigorously advocate in court wherever necessary, and have successfully fought for clients at both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court levels in British Columbia. I also have experience taking clients through various forms of alternate dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.
I also maintain a practice in residential tenancy law. Housing has never been more important, and I take great pride in defending my clients’ rights, whether as tenants or as landlords.
In family law, there is often a big difference between what we could do, and what we should do. My approach keeps strategy, practicality and sensibility in the vanguard. I advise my clients with empathy and respect and always with their and their children’s holistic welfare right at the centre.
When not negotiating, drafting, and advocating for my clients, I enjoy portrait painting, calligraphy, typography, and woodworking. My partner and I love animals and share our home with our dog and two cats.
* Practising as as Nicholas Picard Law Corporation.
