In some ways, Fraser MacLean’s career path was predestined. He grew up surrounded by lawyers, with his father, Lorne MacLean KC — founder of MacLean Law — among his biggest influences. Following in his family’s footsteps through law school, he found himself lead counsel in his first trial shortly after his call to the bar.
Spanning 25 days and taking place in a small town in rural British Columbia, the trial provided a unique perspective for the green litigator. It was an opportunity to work within a different community — and it confirmed for MacLean that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
“The experience proved invaluable; it underlined how much I enjoyed being a trial lawyer and played a pivotal role in building my skills and confidence,” MacLean recalls. “But more than that, it taught me that success in the courtroom is built on a foundation of thorough preparation, strategic planning, and adaptability. These lessons have shaped my approach ever since.”
At the forefront of UHNW family disputes and AI‑era advocacy
MacLean Law is a western Canadian boutique family law litigation firm focused on ultra‑high‑net‑worth (UHNW) matters involving high‑stakes, complex and international financial and legal issues. Since 1983, its 17‑lawyer team has proactively represented wealthy clients in separation and divorce, child and spousal support, division of worldwide family property and business interests, marriage and cohabitation agreements, international jurisdictional disputes and worldwide injunctions.
Over four decades, the firm has secured numerous record‑setting precedents for high support and property awards, Mareva injunctions and special costs awards. From multiple Supreme Court of Canada cases — notably Young v. Young and Leskun v. Leskun — to the successful litigation of Canada’s first reported case involving AI‑hallucinated case law, Zhang v. Chen, MacLean Law has made its mark.
“These decisions highlight our firm’s role in addressing novel issues in the legal field, as well as in shaping national family law jurisprudence,” MacLean says, adding that Chen serves as a defining file in his career.
Having followed US developments around AI “hallucinations” in court submissions, MacLean encountered the same issue in his own practice when he discovered the day before the hearing that opposing counsel had filed authorities fabricated by a generative AI tool.
In Chen, opposing party sought an order permitting the parties’ children to travel from B.C. to China for the holidays, which MacLean’s client opposed. The application from the other side of the table cited two Supreme Court of British Columbia cases holding it was in a child's best interests to travel with a parent to visit family overseas, to maintain or enhance cultural development. MacLean remembers thinking it would be tough to beat — until his team was unable to find the case citations in any legal database.
The court accepted MacLean’s submissions, dismissed the opposing application and awarded costs, marking the first time a Canadian court formally recognized “hallucinated” authorities in litigation.
“What made the case particularly pivotal was how unexpectedly it emerged — it felt almost like a lightning strike,” MacLean explains. “The decision contributed to a broader national conversation about the responsible use of AI in legal practice, attracting significant attention and positioning both my practice and MacLean Law at the forefront of an important and evolving issue.”
Ultimately, MacLean sees Chen as a cautionary tale for a profession rapidly embracing incredibly powerful new tools, underscoring the importance of vigilance and of keeping a human in the loop. As the decision in Chen states, “generative AI is still no substitute for the professional expertise that the justice system requires of lawyers.” In its aftermath, courts across Canada issued directives requiring parties to disclose when generative AI is used to prepare court filings, and law societies released guidance on responsible use.
AI headlines aside, the underlying issue was equally high‑stakes. In the same litigation, MacLean secured one of the largest interim spousal support awards in BC history in a complex, high‑conflict matter involving $70-$90 million in assets. The order provided crucial stability for his client while the broader issues continue to be resolved.
For MacLean, the case was never only about AI or media attention; it was about “protecting my client’s financial security in a high-stakes and deeply personal dispute,” he says, noting that while he approaches every case with diligence and discretion, he’s mindful of the added pressures public scrutiny can bring.
“It amplifies everything but doesn’t change the fundamentals of good advocacy; I move forward with judgment, composure and integrity. In this case, despite the surrounding noise, our focus remained firmly on achieving a meaningful outcome for our client — and I’m very pleased we were able to do so.”
Motivation, mentorship and building a modern practice
MacLean finds daily motivation in his clients, embracing the opportunities to assist them during a divorce or separation, one of the most challenging times a person can endure. Over the course of his career, he’s learned that prioritizing empathy is fundamental to success. By understanding a client’s needs and concerns, you build trust and are a more effective advocate.
That approach was shaped not only from his own experience, but through the encouragement and insight from mentors and colleagues. The throughline at the firm, from father to son, is the fostering of a culture of excellence. The broader vision has always been to set new standards in family law through leadership, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of justice — nothing else will do when taking on the calibre of cases MacLean Law is known for.
The motivation matters because the stress and hard work are real, MacLean notes, and he’s continually refining skills and seeking innovative solutions to deliver the best possible representation to clients. He’s very clear, however, on what sustains success.
“There’s no sugarcoating it; I’m often opposite other talented and creative counsel, and there’s a lot about the practice of law overall that’s changing,” he says, adding that one thing remains constant: the lessons learned when he first stepped into the courtroom, that successful client outcomes are still built on that foundation of rigorous preparation, strategic judgment and a genuine willingness to keep learning.
“These principles have shaped my approach since the earliest days of my career, and I expect they will remain true to the very last file I resolve.”
This article was produced in partnership with MacLean Law