SLL - Key Persons

Albert Berns joined Stevenson Luchies & Legh in 2011 and heads our Westshore Office. Mr. Berns has considerable skill as a trial lawyer, with experience at all levels of British Columbia Courts and Administrative Tribunals. His extensive experience in litigating injury, construction, real estate, and debt issues allows him to give effective legal advice on a wide range of issues. During his time in the Westshore, Mr. Berns has assisted many residents with property transactions and estate matters and has provided builders and developers with the knowledge and advice required to meet their project needs. Known for his frank and earnest counsel Mr. Berns clients, when faced with a legal dilemma, know where they stand early on and throughout the litigation process. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, he began practicing law in the Westshore in 1999, after having been employed in the coastal construction industry for 15 years. Furthermore, Mr. Berns is active within his community, enjoys arts and sports, and pursues outdoor recreation and travel.

Ms. Rivers attended law school at the University of Victoria, and graduated with an LL.B. in 1995. She was called to the bar of British Columbia in February 1996, after articling with the law firm of Anniko Hunter, where she practiced until 2001. Joining Stevenson Luchies & Legh in 2003, Ms. Rivers practices in the areas of estate planning (wills, powers of attorney and representation agreements), estates (including probate and non-probate estates), and real estate. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria Law School, teaching Succession and Estate Planning. In addition to her law practice, Ms. Rivers has 15 years military service, and has received the United Nations Forces in Cyprus medal, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and the Canadian Decoration. Ms. Rivers is married with two children. She is a past chair of the Victoria Young Lawyers and Victoria Wills and Trusts sections of the Canadian Bar Association. She is an active Scouter with 3rd Douglas Scout Group, Scouts Canada, and involved with her son's lacrosse team, the Saanich Express.

Kevin joined Stevenson Luchies & Legh as an articled student in February 2020 and was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2021. After obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta, Kevin moved to Victoria to attend law school University of Victoria, graduating in December 2019. During law school, Kevin engaged his passion for the environment by participating in the Environmental Law Centre clinical program. Kevin is excited to remain on the west coast, where he spends his free time golfing, snowboarding, reading, and practicing photography.

Job Titles:

• Community Member
• Assistant to Partner Tyler Luchies

Mr. Luchies obtained a Bachelor of Commerce with Honors from the University of Alberta in 1987. He continued his education at the University of Toronto, and was awarded a Bachelor of Laws in 1990. He was the recipient of the Willis Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Law School and also sat on the Governor's Council and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Dean Search Committee. Mr. Luchies was the President of the Student Law Society in his year of graduation. Mr. Luchies was called to the Bar of British Columbia on August 1991. In addition to outstanding legal achievements, Mr. Luchies is an active community member. He volunteers for the Summit Society for Youth at Risk, and was a Chair for LifeCycles,"Home Is Where We Live" Project. He is a founding member of the Collaborative Family Law Group and a founding member of the Humanitarian Award at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law. Mr. Luchies is also a mentor at the University of Victoria Law School and a volunteer judge for the school's moot court. Recreationally, Mr. Luchies enjoys volleyball, golf, and spending time with his family.

Will earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, in 2005, after obtaining his undergraduate degree from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2021. For fourteen years, before moving to Canada in 2019, he capably served his clients in a wide range of matters: administrative, business, cannabis, civil, criminal, family, juvenile, personal injury, probate, and real estate. He also worked in the Tribal Court for a large First Nations Confederation and as a Municipal Court Judge.

Zachary joined Stevenson Luchies & Legh as a law student in May 2016 and continued with the firm as a lawyer after being called to the bar in 2019. He has experience in a range of practice areas and is developing a general practice, with a particular focus on family law. He completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Victoria in 2018, during which he was awarded first place oralist in the Wilson Moot in Constitutional law. Prior to law school, Zachary received a BA (with distinction) in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Victoria and an International Baccalaureate Diploma from Victoria School of the Arts. Zachary also works as a Youth Minister in Victoria, and did so throughout university. Zachary has a passion for helping others, and chose to study law to cultivate tools for assisting his community. In his work he draws not only on his legal and academic education, but his artistic and ministry experience to develop compassionate and creative responses to unique problems. In his free time, Zachary enjoys cycling, hiking, singing, and poetry. Although born and raised in Edmonton, Zachary is now a proud Victoria resident and is grateful for the continued opportunity to live and work on the coast.