Practice Emphasis
Tom started his legal career in Vernon in 1996. He took a leave from practice from 2001 to 2009 to serve as MLA for Vernon-Monashee and held a number of cabinet portfolios during that time. He has since practiced in Vernon and Vancouver and returned to Nixon Wenger in April 2014.
Tom has a general solicitor’s practice, assisting clients with business matters, wills and incapacity planning, the administration of estates, and real estate conveyancing and financing matters. He has a particular interest in assisting families with the transition of assets from one generation to the next through effective personal and business succession planning as well as resolving estate disputes outside of court.
Tom maintains a strong interest in matters involving Indigenous peoples and was recently a lead negotiator in the renegotiation of the BC Tripartite Education Agreement between Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
Tom prides himself on being responsive to his client’s needs, providing practical, timely advice to help them accomplish their goals.
Education and Interests
Education
- University of Victoria Bachelor of Arts 1990
- University of Victoria Bachelor of Laws 1994
- Called to the British Columbia Bar 1995
Professional and Civic Interests
- President, Kalamalka Rotary Club
- Vice President, Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon Division
- Former Director, Okanagan Indian Band Economic Development Committee
- Former Director and Vice-Chair, OKIB Holdings GP Ltd.
- Former Chair and Director, Community Living B.C.
- Former Director, Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust
- Former Member of the British Columbia legislature for Okanagan-Vernon
- Former Minister of Education, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, and Minister of Children and Family Development for Province of British Columbia
- Former Chair, British Columbia Legal Services Society
Recent Decisions
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Indian Act & common law result in case being dismissed
The Deceased, a member of the Okanagan Indian Band, left a will dividing the residue of his estate between five people, some of whom were not members of the Band. Part of the estate consisted of interests in properties within the Okanagan Indian Reserve. The beneficiaries reached an agreement between themselves providing for the sharing […]
Testimonials
“Tom Christensen was absolutely the best. He was not only professional, but he was also personable. Legal matters around the death of a loved one are hard. Tom was sensitive, attentive to our situation, and very supportive throughout the executive process.”
-Norma H.
