Lauren K. Murphy

Lauren is a Senior Associate and Member of the Family Law Team.

The family law process can be confusing and emotionally challenging. Lauren has an empathetic approach with clients, understanding that family and fertility law deal with personal matters that impact clients’ daily lives.  She takes the time to help clients understand the legal process and walk them through the various stages of their matter.

Lauren has been practicing family law since 2017. She tackles complex family law issues through her attention to detail, organization and legal drafting. Lauren is a meticulous writer and understands the importance of details and clarity when dealing with family law issues. She is experienced in matters involving multiple jurisdictions, particularly personal service outside of Canada and substituted methods of service.

Lauren also practices fertility law. Her fertility law practice includes drafting and providing independent legal advice on surrogacy agreements and sperm and egg donor agreements. Her practice also includes birth registration, parenting declarations, adoption and other fertility matters. Lauren represents both local and international clients.

Every client has unique needs. Lauren also offers Legal Coaching and unbundled legal services tailored to clients’ individual needs. Legal Coaching includes providing assistance and advice to clients who are representing themselves. It also includes legal drafting. Unbundled legal services (also called Limited Scope Retainers) are where you retain a lawyer to represent you with specific parts of your case.

In her spare time Lauren loves spending time with her young children and visiting her family in PEI. You can often find her thrifting for vintage books, clothing, and cute trinkets.

Background

Education

• 2016: J.D., Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 2016: Master of Library and Information Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 2012: Bachelor of Arts (Hon.), University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI
• 2007-2008: Foundation Year Program, University of King’s College, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Employment

• 2019 – Present: Staff Lawyer, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2017 – 2019: Associate, CIR Law Inc., Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 2016 – 2017: Articled Clerk, Burchell MacDougall Lawyers, Truro, Nova Scotia
• 2015: Summer Student, Burchell MacDougall Lawyers, Truro, Nova Scotia

Professional Memberships

• Member – Canadian Bar Association
• Member – Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
• Member – Family Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association
• Former Member – Canadian Association of Law Libraries
• Former Member at Large – National Children & Youth Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association

Community Activities

• Former President of Board of Directors, Halifax Association for Community Living (2018 – 2019)
• Board Member, Halifax Transition House Association (Bryony House) (2017)
• Board Member, Halifax Association for Community Living (2016 – 2018)
• Former Co-chair of the Wellness Committee, Dalhousie Law School (2015 – 2016)
• President, UPEI Class of 2012
• Former Editor, UPEI Arts Review (2012)
• Former Co-chair, Canadian Library Association, Dalhousie Student Chapter (2012-2014)
• Former Executive, Canadian Association of Law Libraries, Dalhousie Student Group (2012-2015)
• Former Member, Information Technology Committee, Dalhousie Law Student Association (2015-2016)

Awards

• Honours – Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (2015)
• W.B. Yeats Award, UPEI (2012)