For over 40 years, we have been the trusted legal advisors on the Sunshine Coast.
A legacy of legal excellence since 1980.
For over four decades, Shoreline Law has been a cornerstone of the Sunshine Coast community, providing reliable and effective legal services. Our journey began in 1980 when Wayne Rowe and Russell Crum founded their respective firms, each dedicated to delivering trusted legal advice and fostering community relationships.
In 2021, a new chapter unfolded as Conner Wear and Mark Stevens assumed leadership, merging the two practices to continue the legacy of excellence. Their commitment to client-focused service and innovative legal solutions reinforced our standing in the community. The firm's growth continued in 2024 with the addition of Robert Hart as a partner and Athena McLash and Darcy Lawrence as Associate Counsel, further broadening our expertise and community engagement.
Mark Stevens, Partner
Mark advises on real estate, mortgages, wills and estate planning, and business law, for individuals, companies, and non-profits. His approach is personable, practical, and client focused.
Prior to law school, Mark completed a Bachelor of Arts in Geography at the University of British Columbia and worked with non-profit organizations providing housing and developing policy. Mark completed his Juris Doctor at UBC and articled at a full-service firm in North Vancouver in governance and business law for First Nations before moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2018.
When out of the office Mark spends his time in the community, exploring the many beautiful corners of the Sunshine Coast with his family and their dogs.
Conner Wear, Partner
Conner advises on real estate, subdivision development, and corporate and commercial law, advising on and facilitating purchase and sale transactions, lending facilities, and joint ventures. He provides governance and organizational advice for small businesses and societies. Conner also provides advice on estate planning, including drafting wills and powers of attorneys.
In his practice, Conner works with clients to provide practical and solutions oriented advice, focusing on what works best for you in your particular and unique circumstances.
Prior to law school, Conner completed a Bachelor of Science in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC and worked for several years at an international NGO in East Africa before managing a farm on the Sunshine Coast and ultimately going to law school in Victoria.
Conner completed a Juris Doctor at the University of Victoria before moving to Yellowknife, NWT to article with a Band 1 Firm for General Business Law in Northern Canada and Arctic.
Conner’s family all live on the Sunshine Coast, being spread out between Gibsons and Powell River. He is thankful to be near family and be able to call such a beautiful place home.
Community Involvement:
Board Member - One Straw Society
Advisory Board Member - Gibsons Community Building Society
Board Member - Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association
Robert Hart, Partner
Robert has an established general practice, and enjoys advising clients on a range of legal matters, including estate planning, estates, family, estate litigation and conveyancing. Robert’s dispute resolution practice focuses upon assisting clients to reach a solution using mediation and negotiation, to the extent such methods are possible. That being said, Robert has represented clients in various courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court, Provincial Court and administrative tribunals.
Raised in England, Robert was awarded First Class Honors with Deans Commendation in Law (LLB) from the University of Exeter in 2013. Robert then completed a further three years of legal training with a global law firm in London, England, and qualified as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2017.
Upon moving to Canada, Robert initially worked for an international law firm in Vancouver, before working in a Legal Real Estate team for a national Canadian corporation. During this time, Robert also studied Canadian law, and gained accreditation in 2018.
Robert moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2021, and was called to the Bar in 2023.
Robert has established a reputation for being down-to-earth and sensible, providing sophisticated yet practical advice to clients.
Away from the office, Robert spends his time trail running, road cycling and gardening. Robert is obsessed with his dogs, Maple and Moose.
Community Involvement:
Voluntary Legal Clinic Manager - Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre
Board Member - Sunshine Coast Hospice Society
Athena McLash
Associate Counsel
Raised in British Columbia, Athena obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Joint Major in Criminology and Psychology) at Simon Fraser University in 2001 and her Bachelor of Laws with Distinction at the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. Thereafter, she clerked with the Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina, Saskatchewan and was admitted to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2005 and the British Columbia Bar in 2006. Athena moved to the Sunshine Coast with her spouse in 2005 and commenced practicing law while also raising three children. In 2016, she founded McLash Law and in 2019, she became a certified Family Law Mediator.
Since 2016, Athena has invested considerable time growing and establishing her firm within the community. She is inspired by creating long term relationships with clients, assisting them with their legal matters, and seeing them thrive both personally and professionally.
In her free time, Athena enjoys being with her family, travelling, skiing and interior design projects.
(604)8858182
darcy@darcylawrence.com
For more details on Darcy’s specific practice, please visit: darcylawrence.com
Darcy Lawrence,
Associate Counsel
Practicing primarily in the area of Criminal Defence, Darcy advises individuals facing Criminal and Motor Vehicle Act offences in both the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia. Darcy also advises on Regulatory matters, including offences under the Federal Fisheries Act, the Wildlife Act, the Wildfire Act and the Heritage Conservation Act.
Originally from Edmonton, Darcy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Alberta and achieved his L.L.B .from The University of Victoria. He articled at a criminal defence firm in Vancouver and began his legal career with the British Columbia Crown Counsel office in 1995. He practiced in Vancouver and Squamish before moving to the Sunshine Coast and joining the Crown Counsel office in Sechelt in 1998. In 2000 he changed hats and began his Criminal Defence career.
Darcy is an avid tennis and squash player and has been involved in the local sports community for over 20 years. He and his wife have been the organizers of the annual Sunshine Coast Open Tennis Tournament since 2007 and Darcy is on the board of the Sunshine Coast Squash Association.
Community Involvement and Professional Memberships:
Former Supervising Lawyer for the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre’s Legal Advocate
Former Board member of the Action Society, assisting those with addiction and mental health issue
Member of the Trial Lawyer’s Association of British Columbia, the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers and the Vancouver Bar Association
Russell Crum
Associate Counsel
Russell Crum came to Gibsons in 1981 and started the firm “Russell F. Crum Law Office”. Russell was a member of the inaugural law school class at the University of Victoria in 1975. Before attending UVic law school Russell served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 10 years. He served as an Air Navigator in Maritime Command, and retired with the rank of Captain at CFB Comox. He received his undergraduate degree with Honours. in Political Science and Economics at College Militaire Royal, St. Jean, PQ, and Royal Military College, Kingston Ontario. Russell lived his early years in Squamish and North Vancouver, and is a graduate of North Vancouver Senior Secondary School.
Russell’s law practice has been varied and general. It has ranged from criminal trial prosecution and defence matters, to a general solicitor’s real estate, wills, and corporate business practice, to international corporate and finance work. Russell has been an active volunteer to community organizations. He is a past member and chair of the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Commission. He has served on various local government commissions examining matters such as restructuring municipal boundaries and pay for civic counsellors. He served for 10 years as a Trustee of St. Mary’s, now Sechelt, hospital. He was a founding director of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, and a past director of the Rockwood Lodge Society. He is a past member of the Gibsons Rotary Club. Russell was involved in the start up of the local Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in 1999. He re-activated his Officer’s Commission in the Canadian Forces Reserves, and served as the first Commanding Officer of 858 “Skookumchuk” Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
Russell remains an active and practicing lawyer, though after 40 years is trying to spend more time on the Tennis court and with family than in the office or court house.