Theresa Arsenault, K.C.*

Partner 250.869.1110 | Toll Free 1.800.558.1155
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Theresa Arsenault, K.C., focuses on business and estate planning law in her practice.  Her clients benefit from her extensive experience and her practical, timely advice on business, real estate, and estate planning matters.

High net-worth individuals often face complex estate planning challenges created by the size of the estate, second or more marriages, or the desire to generate tax savings through trusts. For many years, these clients have relied on Theresa, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Planners.  She helps clients with wills, alter ego and joint partner trusts, estate freezes, discretionary family trusts and more.

She also provides legal guidance to developers on First Nations and Crown land including First Nations bands. This includes development of master planned resort or residential communities, mixed-use commercial and residential developments on all types of lands. Lenders need advice on how to structure and securitize loans and acquire security on all types of lands. Corporations and limited partnerships, both local and international, retain Theresa’s services to accomplish all these goals.

Theresa also provides a range of legal services to a number of specialized clients well as to specialized clients such as ski resorts regarding land development issues. She helps with unique legal needs related to the purchase and sale of properties, the negotiation of development agreements with the province, the settlement of Crown land issues, and issues involving contracts and real estate development. She incorporates and drafts operating and partnership agreements for doctors, dentists and other professionals, allowing them to use a family trust to split income.

Theresa has lived and practiced law in Kelowna for 30 years, building an extraordinary record of commitment and activity within the community. She has served as a Governor and Chair of the University of British Columbia and is currently Co-Chair of UBCO’s External Community Advisory Committee. She was Co-Chair of the Okanagan Partnership and is a Director of the Canada West Foundation. In addition, Theresa is a member of Kelowna’s Chamber of Commerce and the Kelowna Estate Planning Council, and has previously served on the boards of the United Way, the KGH Foundation, the B.C. Cancer Agency, and the Okanagan University College.

Away from the office, Theresa enjoys local art, travel, wine, and food — not necessarily in that order. To balance these activities, she keeps fit with Pilates, cycling, kayaking and hiking. She is an aficionado of Canadian literature and history, and prioritizes her family and friends in her life.  Theresa seeks to make a positive difference in the world through enhanced access to education.

*Providing services through a law corporation.

Practice Focus

  • Negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts.
  • Preparing and advising on commercial lending and finance matters.
  • Counsel for residential and commercial developers.
  • First Nations financing, leasing and property transactions.
  • Estate Planning – Advising and preparing Wills, Representation Agreements and Discretionary Trusts.
  • Estate Probate and Administration.
  • Ski Resort Development and Acquisition.

Satisfied Clients

Kettle Valley Holdings Ltd.

I would like to commend Theresa Arsenault and her staff at Pushor Mitchell for the excellent legal services they provided us in connection with the servicing and registration of our new "The Highlands at Kettle Valley" subdivision. Theresa and her staff's substantive knowledge and expertise in the field of real estate planning have proven to be invaluable to our company. I am a firm believer in building business relationships with folks that help make you successful. We have been working with Theresa and her team since 2007 for various legal matters. Knowledge and seasoned experience along with professionalism, integrity, enthusiasm and responsiveness are what you would expect from a good law firm and Theresa and her team has exceeded those expectations. What I didn't expect though, was a team of people that truly enjoy working with each other. You get a sense that everyone is on the same page which in turn enhances the efficiency of what they do best, and that is serving their clients. We look forward to many more years of working together with Theresa and her team at Pushor Mitchell Lawyers and Trade-Mark Agents. Stephen Wells, President and General Manager of Land Development and Land SalesKettle Valley Holdings Ltd.

Troika Group

Theresa Arsenault has been my lawyer for the last ten years. I would highly recommend Ms. Arsenault to any business or developer needing expertise in complex contractual negotiations, detailed review, expert advice, as well as First Nations work. Ms. Arsenault has consistently impressed us with her speed, thoroughness, and dedication to our company as a whole. She looks out for our best interests and makes sure that we are informed to the highest degree possible. Troika is pleased to have Pushor Mitchell and Ms. Arsenault working with us on some of our largest files and largest developments. They are an incredible team that look after their clients. Renee WasylykTroika Group

Watermark Developments Ltd.

Theresa Arsenault, QC and her team have assisted Watermark through several developments, in the City of Kelowna, over the past 15 years. Theresa has provided us with prudent advice in the preparation and registration of land subdivisions, including the numerous easements, covenants, Rights-of-Way and other encumbrances that form part of land development. She has been instrumental in guiding us through laws, rules and regulations associated with a strata development, from the initial preparation of the detailed Disclosure Statement to Marketing documents. Most valuable has been Theresa's strategic advice to deal with the various levels of government and approving authorities to see a development completed in a timely manner. Watermark appreciates Theresa and her team's expediency, attention to detail and service oriented response to any questions we bring forward. We highly recommend Theresa for all real estate matters. John HertayWatermark Developments Ltd.