Breder Law - New Animal Law and Litigation Firm
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved animals. Actually, "love" may be the wrong word. Some people have fought for the rights of women, African Americans and human rights generally. These advocates did not usually say they fought for these rights because they "love" women or African Americans. They fought for these rights because to deny these groups rights was simply wrong. Similarly, I have always argued for the rights of animals, and continue to do so as a practising lawyer. Not because I "love" animals, but because it is simply wrong to continue treating and using animals in a way that denies their inherent right to be free from harm caused by humans.
OK, I admit - I also love animals. Always have. Always will. I always felt a need to protect them. This is what drives me every day. When I was in law school 16 years ago, I was told that lawyers should separate their personal passions from their clients' cases in order to maintain an objective perspective. I was also told that I was idealistic and that once I enter the "real world", my passion for animal rights and welfare will be subdued by the realities of the legal profession. In fact, I have been told similar things since I was a little girl and in my teenage years. I remember a specific time in high school (a private Jewish high school in my hometown of Montreal), when I delivered a speech about the reasons it is wrong to wear fur coats. The next day, my teacher walked into the classroom with her mink fur coat (and has not so before) and gave me a look. She later told me I will grow out of "this phase".
I am on the cusp of turning 40. I have not yet grown out my burning, deep-to-my-core, passion to fight for and protect animals in any way I can. In fact, it is only getting stronger. Especially now that I have a daughter of my own. I really hope she will have the privilege to experience the beautiful wildlife we are so blessed to still have around us.
Growing up in Montreal, I was an animal activist taking protests to the street and starting student clubs that involved fighting for animals and the environment. In my late teens, I decided that I wanted to go to law school to use my fighting skills in the courtroom. I whole heartedly disagree with those professors and students who told me that I can not be passionate about my legal work. As lawyers, having a passion can only drive us to be more effective, while maintaining our objectivity and intelligence in the strategies we use to pursue our clients' cases.
Having practised animal law and litigation at a large and respectable downtown Vancouver law firm for over a decade (for which I will always be grateful), I decided to start my own law firm. I have been wanting to do so for a long time, but the timing never seemed quite right. In the summer of 2016, my father, Ivan Breder - with whom I was extremely close, passed away. On his death bed, he encouraged me to finally start my own law firm. And so I did.
Breder Law is dedicated to pursue my long held goal of fighting for, and defending, animals through the legal system. Please, never hesitate to contact me, or any one of the Breder Law members, for any questions.
