Legal strategy for women building bold businesses

You’ve got the vision. We’ve got your back.

Encino Law is a modern law firm serving women entrepreneurs and small businesses in British Columbia. From launching a business to growing a team, we help you make smart, strategic legal decisions with clarity and confidence.

About Us

Meet Mariela Gutierrez
Principal Lawyer + Founder

I created Encino Law to make legal strategy approachable and empowering for women like you, the ones rewriting the rules, starting fresh, and building with purpose. I’m here to help you make confident decisions and grow with clarity.


Let’s build boldly, together.

What we help with

  • We help you choose the right legal structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Helping you understand liability, taxes, and management of each and handling required filings for you.

  • Contracts set the rules, let’s make sure they work for you. We draft, review agreements that are clear, enforceable, and tailored to your needs.

    Common contracts we handle:
    Service Agreements, NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements), Partnership & Shareholder Agreements, Employment & Contractor Agreements, Vendor & Client Agreements, Licensing & Settlement Agreements, Waivers and Releases

  • We help you choose a unique, conflict-free business name and offer guidance on name searches and brand protection strategies, laying a strong legal foundation to protect your brand and intellectual property (IP).

  • For any brick-and-mortar business, your lease is often the most significant contract you'll sign, directly impacting your operations and long-term success. We help landlords and tenants understand, negotiate, or review lease terms, renewals and everything in between. We can work behind the scenes or lead the negotiation for you.

  • Sometimes, you just need to "pick a lawyer's brain" to confidently navigate a business decision. Whether you need to understand a specific legal issue, brainstorm solutions to a challenge, or develop a proactive strategy, we offer focused sessions to help you gain clarity and make informed choices for your business's future.

  • Fast-tracked review for contracts and guidance when timing is critical. Offered at a premium rate.

  • A flexible legal membership for entrepreneurs who want reliable, approachable legal support. Details coming soon.

Build Your Business with Confidence