Who we are

Derek Chan

Derek is the Co-founder of Canaan Lawyers and was instrumental in the founding of the firm and setting its strategic direction.

As a highly experienced businessperson and manager, Derek provides the commercial grounding and strategic perspective to Canaan Lawyers’ provision of professional legal services. He has a keen understanding of the needs and perspectives of businesspeople and the realities of market competition, and his knowledge and wise counsel lend commercial depth to the firm.

Derek arrived in Australia in 1987 and since then, he has gained a deep understanding of the challenges faced by local Chinese people. He founded Canaan Lawyers along with Derek Lo and has actively engaged with the Chinese community to aid their integration into local life and help them develop business opportunities. With the aim of unifying the Australian Chinese community, Derek hopes to give back to society and celebrate the benefits of multiculturalism.

He was the founding President of the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse Inc. and has been a pioneer for and has continuously supported the Chinese New Year Festival celebrations in Box Hill. He is the founding Chairman of the Lions Club of Melbourne Sino Innovation Inc and the founding member of the Australian Chinese Jockey Club.