Dinyar Marzban, K.C.
Profile
A leading family lawyer in British Columbia, Dinyar Marzban has practiced all aspects of family law, including mediation, trial, and appellate work. Called to the bar in 1982 and appointed King’s Counsel in 2004, he now limits his practice to acting as a family law mediator, most often retained to resolve cases involving high incomes and complex financial issues.
Dinyar has contributed to family law reform, legal education and pro bono work. He was one of the original authors and editors of the Family Law Sourcebook for British Columbia, which remains the leading family law publication in the province. He has also authored numerous articles and presented at many family law conferences. He is an ongoing volunteer with Access Pro Bono and has volunteered for Rise/ Women’s Legal Centre. His other career highlights include starting the Supreme Court pro bono family mediation service, chairing the Vancouver Family Law Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association, and serving on the board for Legal Aid BC from 2014 to 2020.
Dinyar is a fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers. He is consistently recognized as a leading practitioner in the field of family law by Lexpert, Doyles Guide and Best Lawyers, the latter naming him Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” for 2021.
Learn more about Dinyar’s Mediation Practice »
Expertise
Education & Bar Admissions
- B.A., University of British Columbia, 1975
- LL.B., Dalhousie University, 1981
- Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 1982
- Called to the Bar of Nova Scotia, 1985
Rankings & Recognitions
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2004
- Ranked by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a repeatedly recommended leading practitioner of family law
- Ranked by Doyles Guide as a preeminent and leading family and divorce lawyer
- Named by Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in 2009, 2017 and 2021
Appointments & Activities
- Co-founder, Supreme Court pro bono family mediation service
- Fellow, International Society of Barristers
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Editorial board, Family Law Sourcebook for British Columbia (1990-2010)
Memberships & Associations
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Legal Services Society (board member 2014-2020)
- American College of Trial Lawyers (provincial committee chair 2011-2012)
- Vancouver Family Law Subsection, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (former chair)
- Nova Scotia Barristers Society
- International Society of Barristers
- Coast Mental Health Foundation, board member
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- Course presenter, Advanced Financial Issues in Family Law 2016, November 4, 2016
- Course presenter, 17th Biennial Family Law Conference, July 6, 2017
- Presenter, National Family Law Conference, July 2018
- Dinyar Marzban and Lonny Balbi, Q.C. will be presenting their paper on Creative Settlements at the National Family Law Conference in Whistler July 25-28, 2022
Publications
- Co-author and presenter, “Imputing Income under s.18 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines,” National Judicial Institute, February 2012
- Co-author and presenter, “Lump Sum Spousal Support,” Federation of Law Societies Family Law Program, July 2012
- Co-author and presenter, “Determination of Income Under Sections 17 and 18 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines,” 16th Biennial Family Law Conference, July 9, 2015
- Co-author and presenter, “Parental Alienation Cases: Judicial Remedies and Trial Strategies,” paper delivered at the National Family Law Conference, July 2018