A Best Lawyers recognition badge given to Scott Murtha, a Vancouver Corporate Lawyer.

Private business owners are often hyper-focused on building their greatest single asset, the business itself. As your business or personal priorities evolve, proactive advice that anticipates challenges and maximizes opportunities is key to lasting success and legacy. I lead a dedicated team at Linmac LLP, focused on serving private business owners and their families. We provide experienced guidance on business expansions, restructurings, transitions, and sales—with a focus on maximizing tax efficiency and ensuring that financial success is translated into a harmonious family legacy.

With extensive experience advising Canada’s leading entrepreneurs and wealth creators, I help clients navigate complex transitions, including business sales and intergenerational wealth transfers. Combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of family dynamics, I deliver practical, comprehensive solutions tailored to real-world challenges.

For closely held companies and family-owned businesses, estate planning isn’t a one-time task but an evolving process to protect wealth across generations. My team’s approach goes beyond traditional succession planning, integrating tax planning, estate structuring, corporate governance, and family law to promote family harmony, prevent asset fragmentation, and strengthen your business for future growth.

Areas of Focus Include:

  • Multi-Generational Estate and Governance Planning: Preserving family wealth and continuity through governance structures and trust arrangements.
  • Corporate Reorganization & Succession Strategies: Ensuring tax-efficient transitions including freeze transactions, share or asset sales and future planning.
  • Family Office Services: Serving as a central advisory point for family offices and integrating, tax, estate and family law advice to assist with challenging issues.
  • Tax Dispute Resolution: Handling Canada Revenue Agency disputes, audits, and adverse assessments with a focus on constructive, cost-effective resolutions.
  • Custom Solutions for First Nations Enterprises: Supporting First Nations business initiatives with tailored legal frameworks.

Reach out to ensure your company and your legacy are built to last.

Recognition

Best Lawyers Canada® 2025 Corporate Law

Select Speaking Engagements & Publications

  • BC Real Estate Tax Update, British Columbia Tax Conference, Canadian Tax Foundation, September 19, 2023.
  • Current Canadian Expatriation Tax Issues, Cidel Conference, September 2022.
  • Tax Competitiveness & Effect on Foreign Investment in Canada, Cidel Conference, September 2018.
  • Current Case Update 2017, British Columbia Tax Conference, Canadian Tax Foundation, September 18, 2017.
  • Succeeding in Business Despite the Global Assault on Tax Planning, Tax Executives Institute Seminar, May 31, 2017.
  • Tax on BC Real Estate – What Changed in 2016?, CPABC Summit Series, May 18, 2017 (Co-Presented).
  • Structuring Your Business for Sale, Live on The Simi Sara Show, CKNW Radio, May 25, 2016.
  • Tax Planning for Business Owners, Live on The Lynda Steele Show, CKNW Radio, November 9, 2015.
  • Year-End Tax Planning: Tips & Traps, Live on The Morning Show with Jon McComb, CKNW Radio, January 13, 2015.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association