Expanding Legal Services in the Okanagan | FH&P Lawyers Welcomes Vernon-based Kevin Robertson

What does family law really cover, and when should you call a lawyer? In this episode of FH&P Lawyers’ Law Talk podcast, host Clay Williams sits down with Kevin Robertson, the firm’s newest lawyer in Vernon, to talk about his roots in the community, his work in family law and civil litigation, and why early legal advice can save stress down the road. From mediation to parenting agreements to protecting your business, Kevin shares practical insights for families and individuals weaving through life’s big transitions.

Clay: Welcome to another edition of FH&P Lawyers Law Talk. I'm Clay Williams. I'm a partner here at FH&P, and you've heard me over the many times you've listened to this podcast, hopefully, talk about our mission statement, which is rooted in community, ready to help. As I've talked about in the past, FH&P Lawyers does have several different venues or offices to serve you.

We've got offices in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton. Because our community is the Okanagan, we're based here. This is where we want to center our practice and help the Okanagan, and businesses in the Okanagan. I'm so happy to welcome Kevin Robertson, our newest addition to FH&P Lawyers. Welcome Kevin!

Kevin: Thank you, Clay. I appreciate it.

Clay: Kevin is our newest addition to FH&P. And Kevin, you are located in Vernon?

Kevin: I am. So I'm expanding FH&P out to the Vernon area and the surrounding areas—Vernon, Armstrong, Salmon Arm, that sort of area. I'm excited to do it.

Clay: It's the trifecta. Finally, we've got Penticton, Kelowna, and Vernon. That was always the business plan: to be a true Okanagan law firm. We're very excited. Now, we don't have an office open yet, but that's the plan. We've started with the personnel. Welcome. So you got your undergrad at UBCO and then off to Thompson Rivers, and from there back to Vernon. You've been a lawyer there ever since, correct?

Kevin: That's right.

Clay: That's very impressive. Tell us what kind of stuff you do. What's your practice?

Kevin: I do a lot of Family Law and also some Civil Litigation. Family law involves helping families in different stages of their relationships—whether they're just getting together and need to figure things out, or they've separated and it hasn't gone well. I help with that side too.

Supporting Arts, Culture, and Housing Initiatives

Clay: Tell us a little bit about your involvement in the Vernon community, because when we heard about you, I was impressed with how deep your roots are there.

Kevin: I'm on a few boards in the Vernon area. I'm on the Caetani Cultural Society, which is an arts and culture organization based in Vernon. I'm very excited because we have some artwork that's about to be shown at the Maxi Gallery in Rome, which is very cool. I'm also a board member of Turning Points Collaborative Society. That's an organization that stretches throughout the Okanagan, much like FH&P, and it deals with addiction recovery, homelessness, and all aspects of that spectrum.

Clay: The Caetani Cultural Society—am I pronouncing that right?

Kevin: Yes, you are.

Clay: This is an artist, I understand, whose work is actually doing a show in Rome. Tell us about that.

Kevin: Yes, Sveva Caetani. She’s passed away, but she was an amazing watercolour painter. Her artwork, for the first time ever, is going to be displayed outside Canada at the MAXXI Gallery in Rome. It should start in a couple of weeks with the big opening reception.

Clay: Are you going?

Kevin: I am not, unfortunately. I feel very jealous of the other board members going down for the opening reception.

Clay: That would be a pretty cool thing to do. And you'd probably get an invite as a director of the society that sponsored it.

Kevin: Correct. I was invited.

Clay: That's tough then. It's interesting we've got such a famous artist from the Okanagan and such interest in Italy, of all places.

Kevin: Yes, her heritage is through Italian royalty, which is the connection there. I'm pretty involved in the art scene in Vernon, and there are some stunning and really prominent artists in the area.

Clay: Wow, that's impressive. What is the Turning Points Collaborative Society? Do they actually operate housing?

Kevin: We do. It's a full spectrum of housing depending on people's needs. It could be rent supplements to help people so they don't end up in a shelter, or fully supported housing where they need some help. It's a spectrum approach with different levels, with the idea that we can meet people where they're at. If that changes, they can go toward more support or less support. The big thing is giving people the opportunity to get off the streets and be more integrated into society. Once you get on the streets, it's really hard to transition off.

Clay: It's so important nowadays to provide that type of support. We're taping this at the end of summer, I think it's the first day of fall. Looking toward winter, that's got to be tough being on the streets. It sounds like good work. Tell me a little about your personal life.

Kevin: My partner and I live in Vernon. We've got two kids—a 17-year-old and an 8-year-old.

Clay: That's a big stretch of time between the two of them. Do they get along?

Kevin: They’re best friends. They're fantastic together. I kind of did university between them. They're good kids and involved in the community. My eldest has a burgeoning music career—he’s on Spotify and Apple Music. My partner owns a yoga studio in Vernon, so we're very involved in that.

Clay: Let’s talk about family law. That's your focus, right?

Kevin: Yes, the majority of my practice is family law.

When to Seek Advice from a Family Lawyer

Clay: When should somebody call you? When do people need a family lawyer?

Kevin: It really varies. Oftentimes, people contact us before they become common law, which is generally after living together for two years. Certain rights and obligations come with that, so you want to make sure you're covered and have things sorted. Sometimes people contact us right before they get married and want to put things in writing as far as what’s going to happen if it doesn’t work out.

Clay: Do you need assets for that? When I got married, I had nothing. One of the reasons I found my wife attractive was that she had some furniture. At what point is it a good idea to get an agreement before marriage?

Kevin: It depends on the circumstances. It can depend on assets, but also on your career. Are you in school to become a doctor or dentist? Are you starting a business? If things go really well but the relationship falls apart, what's happening to your business? Generally, I say the best thing is just go talk to a lawyer. Take an hour of your time and get some insight.

Clay: That’s a good point. I always thought it was more asset-based. But if you’re expecting a certain earning path compared to your partner, that makes sense too. What are some other times someone may consider talking to a lawyer?

Kevin: Sometimes people talk to me while they're in a relationship and it hasn’t ended yet. They're figuring out if it’s going to end or continue, and just want to know their rights and what that option would look like. Other times, people contact me after they’ve separated. Things are traumatic and difficult, and we work to piece this new life together. It’s a full spectrum throughout their relationships.

Clay: I understand it doesn’t have to be adversarial. There are different paths to resolve matters, right?

Kevin: Correct. The court is just one option. I’m a certified mediator as well, so I do mediations. I help couples that want to mediate and come to an understanding, but even when helping just one person, we still try to find a solution that works for everyone. If mediation doesn’t work, then I’m ready to go to court.

Clay: Do you mediate just family law disputes or other disputes as well?

Kevin: The majority of what I do is family law disputes.

Clay: Now we’ve got a toehold in Vernon. I didn’t realize you were a mediator as well. Do you have anything else to say about why someone might seek counsel from a family lawyer?

Kevin: There are so many aspects of relationships that need attention. The most obvious is kids. What’s going to happen with kids? Where are they going to live? Who’s making decisions? Sometimes there’s disagreement over extracurriculars—hockey, for example, and what level they’re playing at. We help people find resolutions. Then there’s child support—who pays, how much. Spousal support—whether someone is eligible and what that looks like. And pensions—it’s often overlooked, but it makes a difference.

Clay: Happy to have you, Kevin. It's been a long time coming, and welcome to FH&P.

Kevin: Thanks. Although I'm the only physical lawyer in Vernon, I’m really happy FH&P can expand services for businesses and other needs in Vernon.

More Than Family Law: Mediation and Civil Litigation

Clay: That’s the goal—rooted in community, and Vernon is definitely part of the Okanagan community. Hopefully, we can expand all services. You also do quite a bit of civil litigation, as I understand. What is civil litigation?

Kevin: Things like construction, builders’ liens, shareholders’ disputes, debt collection—it’s pretty broad.

Clay: So we've got somebody there for you, Vernon listeners. Kevin, thank you so much for being on the podcast today. I'm so happy you're at FH&P. Welcome. To our listeners, until next time.

Legal challenges—whether in your personal life or your business—don’t have to feel overwhelming. From family law and mediation to civil litigation matters like construction disputes or debt collection, Kevin Robertson and the FH&P Lawyers team are here to support Vernon and the wider Okanagan community with clear, practical solutions. Reach out to us today to get the trusted advice you need to move forward with confidence.

Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Consult with a qualified lawyer for advice on specific legal issues.