Lia Holberg: Spectrum Family Law BC Lawsuit Alleges Harassment

• Former paralegal Lia Holberg has filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Spectrum Family Law LLP, managing partner Conan Taylor, and Kitt Perrick, who is no longer with Spectrum Family Law LLP and now operates his own firm, Kit Perrick Law, in British Columbia.
• Holberg alleges persistent harassment by Perrick, being berated by Taylor, and her subsequent abrupt termination in April 2025.
• The lawsuit, filed in August 2026, seeks damages for these alleged workplace actions.
• Conan Taylor, managing partner of Spectrum Family Law, also leads Taylor Janis LLP, which settled a human rights complaint in April 2026 involving a former associate, Sophie Purnell.
• None of the allegations in either the Holberg lawsuit or the Purnell human rights complaint have been proven in court.

This case serves as a critical reminder for employers and legal firms to implement and rigorously enforce workplace harassment policies, ensuring all complaints are handled promptly and impartially.

A former paralegal, Lia Holberg, has initiated legal proceedings against Spectrum Family Law LLP in British Columbia, alongside its managing partner, Conan Taylor, and Kitt Perrick, who is no longer with Spectrum Family Law LLP and now operates his own firm, Kit Perrick Law. The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in August 2026, alleges that Holberg experienced persistent harassment from Perrick, was subjected to berating by Taylor, and ultimately faced wrongful dismissal from her position.

Holberg's claim seeks damages related to these alleged actions. She was employed by Spectrum Family Law for nearly a year, having been hired in May 2024 and subsequently terminated in April 2025. Her legal representation is being handled by Kathryn Marshall, founder of the Toronto-based employment law firm Marshall Law.

The lawsuit outlines a pattern of alleged harassment by Kitt Perrick, which Holberg claims was persistent and escalating. This included intrusive questioning, repeated invitations for dinner and drinks, a demand for 24/7 availability, and ongoing, nonconsensual personal contact. Holberg reportedly brought these concerns to the attention of both Conan Taylor and her direct manager on multiple occasions.

Following these reports, Perrick's alleged behavior intensified. He reportedly resorted to name-calling, increased the frequency of unsolicited messages in direct violation of Spectrum's Cell Phone Policy, and invited Holberg on a camping trip. The alleged harassment became so severe that Holberg felt compelled to break her lease and move back in with her partner for her own safety.

In August 2024, Holberg informed Taylor that she could no longer work with Perrick; however, she continued to receive assignments that involved him. Spectrum eventually terminated Perrick, citing his treatment of Holberg as one of the reasons. Before Perrick's departure, Taylor allegedly entered Holberg's office unannounced, proceeded to scream at her, berate her, and reduce her to tears, then ordered her to assist Perrick in packing his belongings. Holberg subsequently began a medical leave a few weeks later, based on her doctor's recommendation. Upon her return approximately a month later, she claims she felt unwelcome and scrutinized for taking a leave she was entitled to. Her relationship with her manager, previously positive, deteriorated, and at one point, she spent an entire day at her desk without any work or explanation before Taylor abruptly terminated her employment in April 2025.

Conan Taylor, a key figure in the Lia Holberg Spectrum Family Law lawsuit BC, holds a dual role as the founding and managing partner of both Spectrum Family Law LLP and Taylor Janis LLP, which maintains offices across Alberta and British Columbia. This is not the first instance of a legal dispute involving a firm under Taylor's leadership.

Months prior to Holberg's filing, in April 2026, Taylor Janis LLP settled a human rights complaint. This earlier matter involved Sophie Purnell, a former Black associate who was terminated in November 2022. Purnell, also represented by Kathryn Marshall, had filed a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission against Taylor and Taylor Janis, alleging race- and gender-based discrimination. She claimed that the firm's leadership failed to ensure a safe and racism-free workplace and did not protect her from a targeted campaign of harassment and bullying. Purnell also alleged that Taylor responded to her complaints with demeaning comments that constituted gender-based discrimination. The complaint was not adjudicated but concluded with a settlement in April 2026. The settlement included a public statement from Taylor Janis offering a "sincere apology" for any "negative experience" Purnell had, acknowledging that their response to concerns about discrimination "could have been managed better," and expressing regret for any negative impact, while committing to learning from the experience and improving equity and diversity.

It is important to note that none of the allegations in either the Lia Holberg Spectrum Family Law lawsuit BC or the Sophie Purnell human rights complaint have been proven in a court of law. However, these cases underscore significant issues within employment law Canada paralegal claims and broader workplace conduct.

This case serves as a critical reminder for employers and legal firms to implement and rigorously enforce workplace harassment policies, ensuring all complaints are handled promptly and impartially. It highlights the significant legal and reputational risks, including wrongful dismissal claims and human rights complaints, that arise from leadership's failure to address inappropriate conduct and maintain a safe work environment.

Source: Original reporting via legal industry sources