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WELCOME TO MERRILL, LONG & CO
Merrill, Long & Co. is a Nanaimo based partnership that has been active since 1992. Located in the Old City Quarter of downtown Nanaimo, our firm makes a conscious effort to promote a people-oriented practice of law. Merrill,Long & Co. prides itself in demystifying the legal process. We provide honest legal representation and solid advocacy in pursuit of our clients' legal rights. We take a great deal of pride in what we do. The long-term relationships that we have established with our clients are proof that we are on the right track. We do not shy away from the tough stuff. That is at least one of the many reasons why we have been successful over the years. We take a great deal of pride in a contemporary legal practice that is gender neutral and sensitive to issues of culture, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
Our emphasis remains based on non-judgmental, fair-minded representation for all people.
About 
Nancy Merrill
Nancy is an elected governing member of the Law Society of British Columbia. She is the first woman elected to that position in Nanaimo County. She has also served as a full term governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia. Originally from Ontario, she has degrees from the University of Waterloo, the University of Windsor and York University'’s Osgoode Hall where she obtained her Master of Laws. She was called to the Bar in Ontario and she maintains her membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is a qualified Family Mediator. Her practice includes a strong family law focus plus matters dealing with estates and planning. As a federal prosecutor in Windsor Ontario she dealt with a number of matters including customs and immigration which coincided with her previous career culminating in her position as a Canada Customs Intelligence Officer. She is an active sports enthusiast, a lifetime member of the British Columbia SPCA, an amateur archeology buff and an accomplished international traveler.
Randie Long
A former union representative and community activist, Randie had his focus on labour law before coming to Nanaimo to establish a broader based practice in family law and criminal law. He too was a former federal prosecutor. He is a certified family and civil mediator. Randie has also appeared as an advocate before a number of federal, provincial and municipal tribunals including the British Columbia Human Rights Board. He has acted for a number of union, environmental and community groups both privately and on behalf of the West Coast Environmental Law Association. An avid lifetime musician as well as a former radio station manager and on-air show host, Randie has more recently created a legal focus in the areas of music and entertainment law. He represents a number of artists and musicians.
“Free initial consultation”
“Our mission statement may be simply to say that we work with you with honesty and courage during the course of some of the most emotionally challenging times.
From the provision of sophisticated mediation services, access to multi-disciplinary experts like child psychologists or tax experts, from the need for reasoned counsel to the intensity of the courtroom, we stand with our clients to provide the resources they need to protect their rights.”
Family Law 
Family Law
Family law is the term that is used for a lot of different things but the single most important common factor is the universal importance and emotional challenges that come along with them. Of course you know we are talking about separation, divorce, division of property, custody and access.
Contemporary couples and the establishment of same sex marriages have extended the range of challenges and complications.
If it is possible to offer a single mission statement, it may be simply to say that we work with you with honesty and courage during the course of some of the most emotionally trying of times. From the provision of sophisticated mediation services, access to multi-disciplinary experts like child psychologists or tax experts, to the intensity of courtroom presentations, we stand by our clients to provide the resources they need to protect their rights.
If you’ are facing a divorce or custody dispute, please give us a call.
Don’'t go into the courtroom alone.
Criminal Law 
Criminal Law
Randie Long is an experienced counsel dealing with criminal matters. His background includes acting as appointed counsel for both the federal Department of Justice as well as the provincial office of Crown Counsel.
“ Nancy Merrill is a former federal prosecutor with the Windsor Ontario firm of Bondy, Belowus
and English, dealing with customs, immigration and taxation matters.”
“Together we take on selected issues and topics of importance in criminal defense work.
We offer you a clear and accurate appraisal of your case so that you can have realistic
expectations and an understanding of the proceedings.”
Music & Entertainment Law 
Music & Entertainment Law
Music, artist representation and entertainment law is both a passion as well as a growing area of our practice.
Many of the fabulous artists and incredibly talented musicians that we have met over the years have been fully occupied with the creative side of their pursuits.
More often than not, they simply have neither the time nor the interest to do the business and the legal stuff, like contracts, licensing, and copyright.
After years of resisting and then saying that we should really start doing that kind of thing, we actually did. Now, it is the more fun and creative side of the law that we do.
We have worked with some supremely talented painters, sculptors, visual artists, and musicians and we look forward to doing more in this area. We represent both established and newly emerging artists and musicians.
Personal Injury Law 
Personal Injury Law
If you are hurt, whether by motor vehicle injury, another individual or by a giant corporation, you have a right to appropriate compensation.
Let us help you. Protect your rights.
Don't sign anything. Don't walk into the courtroom by yourself.
Don't take legal advice from anyone except your lawyer.
We have very successfully acted for people in all types of accident and injury situations. We know what to do. We can help.
Contact Merrill, Long & Co. for your initial free consultation.
Let us help you.
Mediation 
Mediation
Randie Long and Nancy Merrill are both certified family law mediators as well as civil law mediators having earned this certification from the British Columbia Law Society through advanced training provided by Continuing Legal Education.
We offer full service mediation for clients wishing to take advantage of the newer alternate dispute resolution processes that have been developing in most jurisdictions.
A growing number of people who wish to create their own settlement feel this approach is both cost effective and it may be preferred to the more traditional and adversarial system that is the formal legal process of lawyers, judges and the court room.
We offer a range of civil and family mediation services that includes mediation in both Nanaimo as well as Gabriola Island.
You may decide this is a better way to resolve issues.
