The Firm
Business Law Group is a full service business focused law firm serving small and medium sized businesses in the Okanagan. Business Law Group specializes in business start-up and organization, business transactions and real estate.
Business Law Group is committed to a client focused approach in its services, offering its clients timely practical advice that fits with each client’s particular business needs. While historically lawyers have been viewed as a necessary evil in business, Business Law Group aims to provide value added service to its client’s business. Our focus is to facilitate your business transaction while looking out for your personal and professional risks.
OUR TEAM
Mathew Dober – Partner, BA, LLB, MBA
Business Law Group is owned and managed by founding partner Mathew Dober.
Born and raised in Kelowna, Mathew began his career as an entrepreneur, owning and operating several small businesses in the Kelowna area in the construction and retail industries. Mathew attended university in Kelowna and completed a bachelor of arts in philosophy, political science and economics. In 2000, Mathew moved to Calgary where he completed his law degree at the University of Calgary and Master of Business at the Haskayne School of Business. Mathew began his legal career with the national law firm of Bennett Jones LLP as an associate in the corporate commercial department working on numerous large scale private and public financings, corporate reorganizations and asset/share purchase transactions.
His entrepreneurial spirit calling, Mathew left Bennett Jones in 2005 and began his own business law practice in Calgary where he represented a variety of small and mid-sized clients in industries such as commercial real estate development, retail, naturopathy, dentistry, logistics and construction.
Mathew founded the Business Law Group in Kelowna in January 2009, when he recognized a need for a business-specific law firm geared to clients in need of practical, affordable legal solutions for their local businesses. In addition, Mathew continues to stay involved in business as partner in several local businesses in the finance, real estate and and energy industries. He is a co-founder of a small independent hydro-electric company, Trigen Renewable Energy, an owner/operator of Mission Villas, a supportive-living community for seniors, and an owner of a financing company for businesses.
Mathew brings a keen sense of business to the practice of law and first hand experience of the legal issues faced by business owners. Mathew offers his clients simple, practical legal advice in keeping with each of his client’s personal goals in business.
For more about Mathew read the following article “The Entrepreneurial Lawyer” from the Daily Courier
Education
- Bachelor of Laws – University of Calgary
- Master of Business – University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business
- Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy, Political Science, & Economics) – Okanagan University College
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Law Society of British Columbia
- Member (Inactive), Law Society of Alberta
- Member, Beta Gamma Sigma
Community Involvement
- Kelowna’s Top 40 Under 40
- Pro Bono Legal Services, Access Pro Bono Society of BC
- Finalist for the 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards
Contact Matt at: mdober@lglaw.ca
Katy Williams – Partner, BA, LLB
Katy is a business lawyer with broad practice experience including the areas of real estate, business contracts and transactions, leasing, real estate development, financing and wills and estates & Partner at Business Law Group.
Katy grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan before moving to Edmonton in 2000 to attend the University of Alberta. She completed a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology, philosophy and fine arts followed by a law degree, graduating with Distinction for both. Katy then began her legal career with the large Edmonton firm of Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP where she worked in both the corporate commercial and real estate development areas as well as gaining exposure to the world of courtroom insolvency litigation.
In 2012, Katy made the brilliant move to Kelowna to be closer to family, good skiing and wine. Katy worked with a large local firm for several years, focusing her practice on corporate law. In 2017, Katy joined Business Law Group where she has continued to assist clients with practical, affordable business law services.
Katy’s broad experience means she can provide clients with legal assistance in a variety of areas while taking into account the client’s “big picture”. This enables her to offer comprehensive legal advice that satisfies all of a client’s legal needs in the most practical and efficient manner.
Education
- Bachelor of Laws- University of Alberta
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Law Society of British Columbia
- Member (Inactive), Law Society of Alberta
Community Involvement
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Former Director – Chamber of Music under Community Involvement
Contact Katy at: kwilliams@lglaw.ca
Ana Tajadod – Associate Lawyer, BA, JD
Ana is an associate lawyer with Business Law Group and her practice is focused on the areas of corporate and commercial law, real estate, and wills and estates. She has been assisting individuals and corporations with their legal needs and prides herself in providing practical and strategic advice in order to advance her clients’ interests. Ana joined Business Law Group in March 2021. Ana received her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2012 and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2013 and to the Bar of British Columbia in 2016.
Ana has acted for businesses in a wide range of industries during various stages of their life spans. Some of the legal matters she has assisted with include business structuring, real estate development, debt and equity financing, tax-driven corporate organizations, share and asset purchases, and franchise agreements. Ana is fluent in English and Persian and is conversant in Romanian and French.
In her free time, Ana enjoys doing yoga, skiing, hiking, and traveling. She loves being active in the community and is currently on the board of directors of the Kelowna Yoga House Society.
Contact Ana at: atajadod@lglaw.ca
Odessa Lauro – General Manager
Odessa is a paralegal and general manager of Real Estate Law Group. She has been working with the firm since September 2010 and is responsible for the management and oversight of all of the firm’s legal and business matters.
Odessa was born and raised in Kelowna and attended university at UBC Okanagan where she obtained a Bachelor of Management.
She is an avid horseback rider and soccer player.
Contact Odessa at: olauro@lglaw.ca
Clara Thorpe – Real Estate Paralegal
Clara is a senior Real Estate paralegal at Business Law Group and manages the firm’s conveyance department.
Clara was born in Lampman Saskatchewan and started her career as a real estate paralegal in Estevan, Saskatchewan and Cold Lake, Alberta before moving her family to the Okanagan in 2007.
Clara is married with two daughters and is an avid golfer.
Contact Clara at: cthorpe@lglaw.ca
Esther Mugridge – Corporate Paralegal
Esther is a corporate paralegal with Business Law Group and joined the team in August of 2014. Esther manages all of the firm’s incorporation and corporate administration matters.
Esther was born and grew up in Calgary but has also had the opportunity of living in Mexico and in Austria. She recently completed a Master Degree in Philosophy.
Besides reading, writing and philosophizing, she is an adamant cyclist, and enjoys a vibrant social life in the Okanagan.
Contact Esther at: emugridge@lglaw.ca
Christine Carson – Corporate/Commercial Paralegal
Christine is a corporate/commercial paralegal with Business Law Group and has been working with the firm since January 2016. Christine assists with commercial files.
Christine was born in Brunei and immigrated to Canada at a young age. She has worked and lived in Calgary and Vancouver as a corporate/securities paralegal and also had the opportunity to work abroad in Bahrain. She moved to the Okanagan in 2015.
When Christine is not working, she enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, practicing yoga, reading and playing board games.
Contact Christine at: ccarson@lglaw.ca
David Szucs – Corporate Paralegal
David is a corporate paralegal with Business Law Group and has been working with the firm since January 2018. David handles the firm’s incorporation and administrative matters.
David was born in Toronto and moved to Kelowna in the late 1990’s. David is a graduate of Okanagan College’s Administrative Assistant program and is currently enrolled in their Bachelor of Business Administration through distance education.
David is an avid gamer, both digital and old-fashioned board games. Every week he participates with a group of friends trying out new board games and often revisiting classics. His hobbies also include writing, hiking, playing pool and helping people with technical and personal budgeting issues. His favorite activity is spending time with his niece Mavis.
Contact David at: dszucs@lglaw.ca
Margo Buhay – Legal Assistant
Margo is a legal assistant with Business Law Group and has been working with the firm since January 2019. Margo assists with conveyancing and other real estate matters.
Margo was born and raised in Edmonton. Margo then spent many years living in Vancouver working in a downtown law firm before moving to Kelowna to be near family and enjoy all that the Okanagan can offer.
Margo enjoys fitness, the outdoors, hiking, camping and relaxing at the beach.
Contact Margo at:mbuhay@lglaw.ca
Victoria Lindsay – Administrative Assistant
Victoria is an administrative assistant with Business Law Group and has been working with the firm since March 2021. Victoria handles all of the firm’s administrative matters.
Victoria was born in Kelowna, but moved to Oregon at a very young age. She spent most of her life in the United States except for school vacations, which were always spent in Kelowna with family. Victoria has always loved to travel and make memories in new places, and she had the opportunity to spend her junior year of high school in Mexico and one college semester in Chile. She recently graduated from the University of Oregon with honors and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and Spanish.
Victoria loves spending time outdoors including hiking, biking, camping, and spending time with her dog, Luna.
Contact Victoria at:vlindsay@lglaw.ca