Industries

Professional Disciplinary Proceedings

Our lawyers regularly act as counsel for professionals facing complaints, investigation and formal discipline. We assist our clients with the entirety of the proceedings and are experienced in representing clients before arbitration panels, regulators, boards and commissions of inquiry.  Our lawyers’ practice includes:

• Defence against allegations of professional negligence
• Professional culpability where there are competing methodologies of practice
• Defence against allegations of professional incompetence and misconduct, including off-duty conduct
• Advocating for professionals experiencing discrimination or disability

Professional Negligence

We are experienced in pursuing and defending against negligence claims involving accountants, real estate agents, lawyers, advisors, brokers and other professionals. Our lawyers are very familiar with the professional regulatory environments and we represent clients before all levels of court. We pursue alternate methods of dispute resolution when consistent with our clients’ interests, and act for clients in mediation and arbitration hearings.

Insurance Law

We assist policy holders involved in a range of disputes with insurers. We provide opinions on coverage interpretation and act on behalf of clients in a wide variety of commercial, property and construction related claims. Our lawyers are experienced in handling matters related to:

• Fire, flooding and other disasters, including force majeure
• Life, sickness and disability insurance claims
• Building and property damage resulting from negligence
• Recovery of damages due to business interruptions and other economic losses

Our insurance practice also includes acting on behalf of directors, brokers, advisors and other professionals who are facing claims of liability or negligence.

We seek efficient and fair resolution through negotiation, arbitration and mediation where possible, but vigorously pursue matters where settlement cannot otherwise be reached.

Charitable Organizations

We provide counsel to charitable, not-for-profit and other tax-exempt entities, including B.C. societies and federally incorporated organizations. Our lawyers can advise and represent clients in disputed matters involving:

• Governance and corporate affairs
• Tax issues and regulatory compliance
• General commercial matters
• Trusts, wills and estates

Investment Management

We advise and represent principals, institutional investors and private funds, and have considerable experience in a handling disputes arising in complex transactions. We provide sophisticated investors of all sizes with comprehensive advice and representation in contentious matters arising from:

• Joint ventures, partnerships and trusts
• Tax disputes
• Interpretation and compliance with financial regulations
• Fiduciary duties and shareholder remedies
• Enforcement proceedings involving securities regulators
• Interjurisdictional transactions and compliance with foreign legal requirements

Energy Law

Our counsel are available to assist developers, landowners, engineers, lenders, businesses and entrepreneurs in disputes involving the complex statutory and regulatory regimes that govern the energy sector in British Columbia.

Our work representing clients in construction and development projects has been extensive. We bring substantial experience to matters concerning commercial transactions, interjurisdictional disputes and interactions with government entities and regulators. We offer expertise in resolving contentious issues arising from:

• Purchase and sale agreements
• Contracts for the use of infrastructure
• Regulatory compliance, including environmental assessments and remediation
• The review and appeals process from administrative decisions

Transportation Law

Our litigators are experienced commercial lawyers who can provide comprehensive advice and representation in tax, regulatory, insurance and business disputes arising from the transportation of goods. We are available to act for trucking operators, aircraft owners, freight forwarders, brokers and underwriters in all matters arising from:

• Contractual and leasing disputes
• Shipping documentation and warehousing agreements
• Casualty response and liability claims
• Labour and employment disputes, including competition and non-solicitation issues
• Customs and international transactions
• Permits and licensing
• Transportation of dangerous goods and environmental risks

Hospitality & Tourism

Our commercial litigators have extensive experience representing the interests of developers, hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, hotels, and marinas. Our client base also includes lenders, investors and receivers, as well as franchisees and licensees. We offer comprehensive expertise in resolving disputes involving:

• Condominium, hotel and resort development
• Management, franchise and licensing agreements
• Acquisition, disposition and financing of major assets
• Liability and insurance matters
• Timeshares, fractional ownership and alternate forms of tenancy
• Zoning and municipal law

Information Technology

We provide counsel to clients in the public and private sectors involved in disputes related to the development, distribution, and acquisition of information technology. Our practice group focuses on commercial, transnational and intellectual property infrigement law and offers advice grounded in extensive experience. We act for e-commerce companies, software vendors, retailers, entrepreneurs, investors and lenders in contentious matters involving:

• Commercial licensing agreements and outsourcing arrangements
• Employment disputes, including non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
• Asset acquisition, disposition and finance
• Intellectual property, including copyright, patents and industrial designs
• Regulatory compliance and licensing requirements
• Interjurisdictional matters and foreign legal systems

Health Law

We assist health professionals and patients with a wide range of health law issues. Our lawyers have considerable experience resolving disputes involving privacy law, freedom of information matters and the protection of patients’ rights.

Our practice includes elder law, and we can advise clients on contentious matters involving adult guardianship, powers of attorney, committeeship, substitute decision-making, and questions of incapacity.

We also work with professionals representing their interests in negligence and liability claims. We are experienced in handling issues involving regulatory authorities, including investigations and professional disciplinary proceedings.

Natural Resources

We assist companies, entrepreneurs and contractors in the mining, petroleum and forestry sectors in finding resolution to a wide range of disputes. We have significant experience representing clients in contentious matters involving:

• Joint ventures, partnerships and royalty agreements
• Financing, private equity and venture capital
• Management, employment and supply contracts
• Environmental assessments and due diligence requirements for contaminated sites
• Aboriginal law and First Nations consultations