Emerald Chhina

What allows me to be a successful family lawyer is my ability to carefully strategize each case, utilizing the knowledge that I have accumulated over years of experience, while applying common sense and creativity.

One of my favourite quotes that I share with my clients is from C.S. Lewis, "You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." The quote speaks directly to the needs of my clients, but also to me, as Shawan Das and I recently left our previous firm to form Chhina Das LLP.

Prior to attending Law School, Emerald obtained an Honours degree in Psychology from Punjab University in Chandigarh, India. She then went on to obtain her law degree from the University of Delhi – one of the top Universities in India. She practiced as a litigation lawyer in India for five years before coming to Canada in 2006.

Emerald obtained her Certificate of Accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation, Federation of Law Societies of Canada in 2007 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2008. Emerald practiced at a local law firm until 2020 when she formed Chhina Das LLP in partnership with Shawan Das, her long-time colleague who became her close friend.

Emerald’s practice is focused on family law. She is an avid and experienced litigator and has represented clients at all levels of court in British Columbia including complex cases involving children and property division issues. She works tirelessly to help her clients receive a fair and reasonable outcome of their legal issues.

Her background in psychology and her mediation skills are her invaluable resources that help her gain a deeper understanding of her clients’ issues and obtain a successful resolution for them.  She encourages early negotiations and resolutions especially where the cost benefit analysis justify such an approach.

Emerald’s skills are best described by her past clients who are her biggest advocates and referral source. In 2015, Emerald became a certified Mediator and has resolved numerous mediation cases since then. She offers Mediation services to parties that are represented by lawyers as well as to unrepresented parties.

Emerald likes to spend her free time with her family. She enjoys travelling and reading which is a common interest that she shares with her two daughters.

• 1995 - Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology), Punjab University, Chandigarh, India
• 1998 - Bachelor of Laws, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
• 2007 - Certificate of Qualification, National Committee on Accreditation, Federation of Law Societies of Canada

• 1999 - Punjab and Haryana, India
• 2008 - British Columbia

• English
• Punjabi
• Hindi