Meet Our Team

At Crowe MacKay & Company, our team of Licensed Insolvency Trustees is here to serve you. Please take a moment to read our staff bios to learn more about our history and experience, and then contact us to get started.

Russell (Russ) Law CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT, CFE

Partner, President of Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd.

Contact Info

Telephone: 604-697-5277

Email: Russ.Law@crowemackay.ca

Address: 1100 - 1177 West Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5T

Russ has over three decades of experience concentrating on corporate recovery and insolvency. He has expertise in turnaround management, corporate restructuring, business viability reviews, asset realization and estate management. Russ continually strives to present his clients with creative and objective solutions that reflect their unique situations. The legal community appreciates his commitment to the highest standards possible on forensic accounting and litigation support engagements.

Russ has assisted financial institutions, creditors, businesses and lawyers in many aspects of the insolvency and restructuring process and he is able to serve his clients in a number of capacities. He has acted as a trustee in proposals under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, as a receiver and receiver-manager, a trustee in bankruptcy, and as a monitor under the companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

Academic Information

• Russ earned his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta in 1977 and his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1979.
• He became a Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Practitioner (CIRP) in 1985 and was appointed a Licensed Trustee in Bankruptcy in 1987.
• He became a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) in 1995.

Community Affiliations

• Russ is former chair of the Professional Standards Committee of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Practitioners (CAIRP).
• He is currently vice chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the CAIRP.
• Previously, Russ served on the Board of Directors of both the Alberta and BC Associations of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals.

Derek Lai CPA, CMA, CIRP, LIT, CFE

Partner, Senior Vice President of Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd.

Contact Info

Telephone: 604-697-5257

Email: Derek.Lai@crowemackay.ca

Address: 1100 - 1177 West Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5

Derek is best described as experienced, effective and knowledgeable. While these attributes have established Derek as a frontrunner in the industry, it is his demeanor and ability to make his clients feel comfortable that have earned him the title of trusted advisor. Well-informed not just of the insolvency process, but also of the many other parties involved, Derek ensures a smooth process that gains the confidence of those he serves.

Derek practices in the area of insolvency and corporate restructuring and strives to offer service that is responsive, honest and creative. His commercial insolvency experience includes private and court-appointed receiverships, bankruptcies and CCAAs. He has been involved in a number of insolvency engagements in a variety of industries. In addition, he has assisted financial institutions and debtors in conducting corporate financial, operational and viability assessments.

Derek also practices in the area of forensic accounting and litigation support. He has been involved in a number of matters involving fraud, misappropriation of funds and matrimonial disputes.

Academic Information

• Derek is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional, Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Certified Fraud Examiner.
• In addition, he holds a Financial Management diploma specializing in Corporate Finance with the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Community Affiliations

• Derek is presently a Director of the British Columbia Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Professionals.
• He is also Director and Treasurer of the Young Insolvency Professionals Society of British Columbia & Alberta.

Philippe Mendelson CPA, CMA, CIRP, LIT

Vice President of Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd.

Contact Info 
Telephone: 604-697-5273, 778-322-7445
Email: Philippe.Mendelson@crowemackay.ca
Address: 1100 - 1177 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5T

Philippe is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and member of the insolvency team at Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd. Philippe is experienced leading corporate insolvency files across several industries including aviation, real estate, technology and retail, among others. In addition, Philippe’s practice also includes forensic accounting and litigation support matters relating to shareholder disputes and allegations of fraud or misappropriation of funds. Phillippe is bilingual and is able to assist in both English and French.

Susan De Jong

Estate Manager

Contact Info

Telephone: 604-687-4511

Email: Susan.DeJong@crowemackay.ca

Address: 1100 - 1177 West Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5

When it comes to the integrity of your financial future, you want someone working on your behalf who knows how to deal with creditors and who has experience protecting your legal rights. Susan believes that everyone deserves a fresh start and a second chance. She genuinely cares for those who have found themselves in difficult financial circumstances and her top priority is making her clients feel comfortable; Susan knows she is doing her job when she has earned her clients’ trust and confidence.

Susan’s primary focus is the administration of personal bankruptcies, Division I and Division II proposals, and financial counseling. She listens closely to her clients’ unique situations to advise them on the best course of action. With various options available, Susan has the expertise and genuine interest in making sure you’re moving forward with the best decision. Susan has over 15 years’ experience in insolvency. Clients appreciate the fact that Susan speaks in a language they understand and provides them with updates at each step in the bankruptcy process.

Academic Information

• Susan completed the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Counselor’s Qualification Course at Ryerson University and has finished the Insolvency Administration course offered by the Canadian Insolvency Practitioners’ Association.
• She is also a graduate of Thompson Rivers University where she studied accounting.

Community Affiliations

Susan loves coaching people, whether they are employees, colleagues or members of her daughter’s baseball team, The South Delta 97 Invaders.

Crystal Taylor

Estate Administrator

Contact Info

Telephone: 604-697-5223, 604-638-7211

Email: Crystal.Taylor@crowemackay.ca

Address: 1100 - 1177 West Hastings St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5

Crystal joined Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd. in June 2009. Prior to joining Crowe MacKay & Company Ltd., she worked for a national accounting firm and has worked in the field of insolvency since 2003.

Academic Information

• Crystal earned a Diploma in Associate in Commerce
• Accounting Option from Malaspina University-College in 2000
• Crystal completed the Insolvency Administration Course in 2004
• Completed the Insolvency Counsellor's Qualification Course in 2006