Overview
Sarah Fitzpatrick’s practice focuses on the areas of charities, not-for-profits, and trusts. She provides general practical legal advice to these clients, to assist them in carrying out their missions and mandates.
Sarah counsels charities and not-for-profit clients on governance matters, tax and regulatory compliance, social enterprise and gift planning. She also assists clients with general corporate legal matters including major transactions and restructuring.
Sarah is an active member in the community. She is the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Subsection.
Professional achievements & leadership
- Chambers Canada: Up and Coming, Charities / Non-Profits, 2025
- Best Lawyers in Canada, Charities / Non-Profit Law, 2021 - 2025; Trusts and Estates, 2023 - 2025
- Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in Canada - Charities / Non-Profit Law, 2022
- The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Charities/Not-For-Profit Law, 2021 - 2024
- Ann Roberts Humanitarian Award, 2013
- Thorsteinssons Prize in Taxation, 2012
- University of Victoria President’s Scholarship, 2011
- Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Professional Excellence Award, 2011
- McMillan LLP First-Year Achievement Award, 2011
- Stikeman Elliot Prize in Contracts, 2011
- Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLP Scholarship, 2011
Thought leadership
- "Charitable organisations in Canada: overview", Thomson Reuters, 2018
- “Social Finance, Enterprise and Innovation”, BarTalk, December 1, 2016
- “The New Societies Act in British Columbia: What You Need to Know”, Miller Thomson seminar, 2016
- “Trust Tools and Issues, Estate Planning for Blended Families,” CLEBC, 2015
- “Regulation and Use of Drones in Canada, Altitudes,” CBA National Air and Space Law Section newsletter, 2013
Professional memberships
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of British Columbia
- Canadian Association of Gift Planners
Bar admissions & education
- British Columbia, 2014
- Ontario, 2023
- LL.B., University of Victoria, 2013
- B.A., University of Toronto, 2008
