OUR TEAM
We bring an impressive diversity of knowledge to our practice. Our lawyers have decades of experience as trial and appellate litigators as well as negotiators. We have practitioners who are certified as mediators and in the field of collaborative law.
Lawyers
Called to the British Columbia bar in 1989, Ian’s practice consists of family, personal injury and administrative law. He has been asked to present at various Continuing Legal Education conferences for lawyers and is a frequent guest instructor at the Professional Legal Training course for articled students.
Ian’s philosophy on practicing family law is that practitioners must be versatile in their approach to their client’s problems. To this end, Ian was one of the first lawyers certified in Collaborative Law in Vancouver.
Ian has been practicing in the field of personal injury law for over two decades during which he has gained the experience and knowledge of how to ensure fair and complete compensation for those who have suffered injuries as a result of the negligence of others. A significant component of Ian’s personal injury practice relates to cases involving serious traumatic brain injuries.
When not practicing law, Ian can almost invariably be found playing, coaching or watching hockey at all levels. He is also a snowboarder and, like the other lawyers at the firm, an avid diver.
Jeremy was born in Vancouver and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria in 1984. After a brief stint as a geoduck diver on the west coast of Vancouver Island, he attended law school at Queen’s University and was called to the Ontario bar in 1991. After practicing in a large Bay Street law firm and then as a sole practitioner, he returned to Vancouver in 1995 and was called to the British Columbia bar in that year.
Jeremy has practiced general litigation and family law since 1991, representing clients in the Provincial Court, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of British Columbia.
Jeremy has completed both a marathon and a triathlon and has no plans to do so again. His interests include scuba diving, movies, combat sports, golf, travel, art and finding the time to finally complete that elusive African safari.
Josephine received her undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia and Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, graduating with a number of national and international academic awards. She was called to the British Columbia bar in 2012.
Josephine has represented clients in all levels of court in British Columbia. She has had conduct of family law matters that involve multi-party disputes, cross-border assets, intergenerational wealth and complex marriage and separation agreements.
Josephine is the Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Section in Vancouver and sits on the Editorial Board of the CLEBC publication on Financial Issues in Family Law. She is also a certified Family Law Mediator accredited by the Law Society of British Columbia.
Prior to joining Hayward Sheppard, Josephine worked in the field of international humanitarian law including at the United Nations Development Programme and the International Criminal Court. She has spent time working in various cities in Europe and Africa.
Josephine speaks Cantonese and Mandarin.
Julia focuses her practice exclusively on family law and has for over a decade. Julia was born and raised in Vancouver. She received her undergraduate degree from Bishop’s University. She studied law in California and received her law degree in 2003. She sat for and was called to the California Bar in 2003. When she returned to Vancouver, she articled with a boutique litigation firm and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2008.
Julia is an experienced litigator who has appeared at all levels of court in the province. In addition to this litigation experience, Julia is a certified Family Law Mediator and Family Law Arbitrator, both accredited by the Law Society of British Columbia, and a member of the Collaborative Divorce Vancouver practice group. Julia is a Parenting Coordinator and is currently the Chair of the BC Parenting Coordinators Society.
Julia accepts files for litigation, mediation, Collaborative practice and parenting coordination. She tailors her approach to her files depending on the needs of her clients.
Juli has focused her practice on family law since 1997. She is dedicated to achieving resolutions which meet her clients’ interests in a timely and cost-effective manner, incorporating negotiation, alternative dispute resolution and litigation as appropriate. Juli was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1992, after acquiring undergraduate and law degrees at UBC.
Vancouver Island raised, Michael has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2011. He attended the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014 and his J.D. in 2017. It was during law school that Michael developed a passion for family law. He received the Frank Iacobucci Award in Family Law for academic excellence.
After being called to the bar in 2018, Michael worked as counsel for the Director of Child, Family, and Community Service in child protection matters and as insurance defence counsel for ICBC.
Michael has always enjoyed family law and litigation. He brings a collaborative focus to family law disputes, while maintaining a strategic outlook.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys hiking, cycling, and movies.
Articled Students
Born and raised in the Okanagan, Nimrit moved to Vancouver in 2015 and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in 2020.
In 2024, Nimrit graduated from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. While at Dalhousie, Nimrit was the recipient of the Clinton Havey Law of Succession Prize for academic excellence. Throughout law school, Nimrit has had a keen interest in family planning and alternative dispute resolution.
Nimrit is currently completing her articling term with Hayward Sheppard and anticipates being called to the bar in June 2025. With her background working at Atira’s Legal Advocacy Clinic and the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition, Nimrit has learned to approach her work through a trauma-informed lens.
Outside the office, Nimrit enjoys taking dance classes, travelling and attempting to play golf.
Nimrit is fluent in Punjabi and can speak conversational Hindi.
Support Staff
Cristal has worked for Hayward Sheppard since January 2009 as a Legal Assistant. She received her Legal Administrative Assistant Certification from Vancouver Community College in 2005. She is currently in the process of finishing her Paralegal Certificate. Her goal is to achieve a Paralegal Diploma.
Annie started working as a legal assistant in 1992. She began her career with an extensive background assisting lawyers in all practice areas. Annie has spent the last 19 years focusing her work solely on family law. She was the legal assistant for Jeremy Sheppard and has been the legal assistant to Ian Hayward since 2014.
Kaitlyn graduated her Legal Administrative Studies certificate from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2019. She worked as a legal assistant in estate litigation before joining Hayward Sheppard. Kaitlyn is currently enjoying her focus on family law at the firm. Prior to becoming a legal assistant, Kaitlyn obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree majoring in Psychology.
Tinsley was born and raised in Hong Kong, having moved to Vancouver with her husband in June 2022. She joined our law firm in August 2023, bringing over a decade of customer service expertise from the medical industry. Tinsley’s eagerness and adaptability make her a valuable member of our team.