Tamara L. Dewar

Biography

Tamara is a partner with expertise in complex business litigation, family law, and estate disputes.  She has litigated numerous cases in British Columbia, California, Washington, and the U.S. Federal Courts. Tamara honed her skills at highly respected litigation firms in Los Angeles where she was named a Super Lawyers-Rising Star ranked in the top 2% of all lawyers in California under the age of 40.  She has consistently been listed as a leading litigation lawyer through client and peer rankings.

Family and Estates Litigation

Tamara is the leader of Hamilton Duncan’s family law group.  She successfully resolves family disputes involving child and spousal support, cohabitation (pre-nuptial) and separation agreements, property division, protecting business interests, relocation, custody issues, parenting issues in divorce, and separation matters.

In estate and trust litigation disputes, her practice focuses on wills variation, inheritance disputes, undue influence and incapacity claims, unjust enrichment, committee applications and elder law.

Tamara’s corporate litigation experience is a significant asset for her family and estate clients, particularly in cases that involve complex financial dealings, family-owned businesses, foreign assets, and high net worth family disputes.

She handles these cases in a compassionate and understanding manner for her clients while being a strategic and assertive advocate for them in negotiations and in the courtroom.  She excels at providing creative and practical solutions to these difficult and emotional cases.

Commercial and Employment Litigation

Tamara has significant experience in complex commercial and employment litigation.  With expertise in employment law and human rights matters, Tamara regularly advises clients on employment, wrongful dismissal, discrimination, severance packages, workplace investigations, policies, and HR management.

She has taught employment and labour law to government officials, lawyers, and corporate executives. Tamara has also represented movie studios, technology companies, actors and newspapers in contract negotiations and breach of contract disputes, trademark litigation, copyright litigation, licensing disputes and related intellectual property litigation.

Ms. Dewar has written extensively on litigation matters and she has given numerous seminars on employment law and family law, as well as lectures on business/intellectual property matters and litigation strategy.

While not practicing law, Tamara is an avid surfer, kayaker, and enjoys all outdoor activities. She has travelled extensively around the world and studied in Europe and Japan.

Awards

  • Top Labour & Employment Lawyer-Washington and California, U.S. Coast magazine
  • Rising Star-Super Lawyer- top 2.5% of lawyers in California under the age of 40 .
  • Listed in Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine, 2007-2009-up and coming attorneys under 40.
  • AVVO legal ranking-superb, 10/10
  • Dubrienski International Masters of Law Academic Scholarship
  • Neil J. MacDonald Award-highest mark in Criminal Law
  • Canada Law Book Company Prize Award-highest mark in Family Law
  • Solomon Greenberg Moot Court advocacy honours
  • Carrigan Cup Advocacy Moot Court Team

Publications

  • Employment Law Updates: Layoffs, Leave of Absences and Changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2022
  • Your Parent Has Dementia-Do You Need A Committee, 2022
  • SEC’s Proposed Amendment to the Accredited Investor Standard, Orange County Business Journal, 2011
  • One iPhone, a Couple Beers and a Potential Billion Dollar Mistake, Georgia Defense Lawyers 2010; Orange County Business Journal, 2010
  • Protecting Your Company from Sexual Harassment Lawsuits, Orange County Business Journal, 2010
  • There’s a Way to Protect Your Great Ideas From Theft, San Fernando Business Journal, 2006
  • Congress Passes Anti-Spam Law: How Will This Affect Your Company. Martindale-Hubbell, 2006
  • Supreme Court Holds Employee’s Failure to Report Harassment Limits Damages. ECJ Employment Law Reporter; Martindale-Hubbell, 2006
  • All ‘Dolled Up’ and Ready to Work, ECJ Employment Law Reporter; Martindale-Hubbell, 2005-2006
  • Contributing Author, Advising and Defending Corporate Directors and Officers, California Treatise, 2002/03

Associations

  • Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
    • Corporate/Commercial Group
    • Family Law Practice Group
    • Estate Practice Group
  • Canadian Bar Association
    • Family Law
    • Employment
    • Human Rights
    • Workplace Investigations
    • Wills and Trusts
    • Elder Law
  • California Bar Association
  • Washington Bar Association
  • Law Society of British Columbia

Speaking

  • Mental Health and Human Rights in the Workplace, 2022
  • Sterling Fox 980 CKNW-Impact of Covid on Divorces 2022
  • Your Parent Has Dementia-Do You Need A Committee, 2022
  • Employer Implications If Employees Do Not Vaccinate, 2021
  • Featured Presenter-Analysis of Implied-in-Fact Contracts, San Fernando Bar Association, 2007
  • Guest Speaker, Trademark & Branding Basics Seminar -Los Angeles MCLE Marathon, 2007

Practice Areas

Business Law Practice Areas

Personal Law Practice Areas

Education

  • Masters of Law, University of San Diego School of Law, cum laude (top 15% of class)
  • Bachelor of Law, Robson Hall, University of Manitoba Faculty of Law
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of British Columbia

Bar Locations

  • British Columbia (2017)
  • United States Federal Court, Western District of Washington (2014)
  • State Bar of Washington (2009)
  • 9th Circuit Court of Appeal (2005)
  • United States Federal Courts of the Northern, Southern, Western, & Central Districts of California (2005)

Languages

  • English