Dispute resolution: British Columbia in Canada

Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel

The expertise of the ‘top-notch’‘diverse and highly capable’ team at boutique firm Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel encompasses contract disputes, shareholder and director disputes, real estate and construction litigation, defamation and administrative law matters. Practice co-head Greg Allen focuses on shareholders’ remedies, defamation, municipal law and administrative law; one client regards his presence in court as unparalleled’. Alongside him, the ‘pragmatic’ Wes McMillan specializes in real estate and commercial litigation. Thea Hoogstraten is praised for her excellent judgment and creative solutions’ and majors on administrative law and defamation matters.

Praxisleiter:

Greg Allen; Wes McMillan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Thea Hoogstraten


Referenzen

‘The lawyers are all bright and relatable. Complex legal issues are quickly grasped and explained in a manner that is easily understood by a person without legal training in the specific area of interest.’

‘Wes McMillan is a patient guide through the maze of legal issues in commercial matters. He gives fair and honest assessments of risk that help greatly in the decision-making process.’

‘The lawyers are responsive and develop creative solutions to issues. An excellent team, with great leadership and a commitment to changing the practice of law to be more diverse and welcoming.’

Kernmandanten

Municipal Insurance Association


City of Burnaby


City of Abbotsford


City of Victoria


Ministry of Attorney General


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP‘s British Columbia practice is known for its expertise in complex commercial litigation, bet-the-company litigation and securities litigation, as well as class actions and arbitration. The practice is co-led by Sean Boyle, who is known above all for his defence of individuals and corporations in securities regulatory hearings, corporate disputes and class actions. Alongside him, Joseph McArthur KC, who was appointed Kings Counsel in May 2023, has capabilities in domestic and international arbitration and cross-border litigation. Additional key partners include Roy Millen, who specializes in matters involving public and administrative law; cross-border disputes specialist Alexandra Luchenko; Peter Rubin, who brings experience to contractual disputes, tax appeals, tort claim and securities litigation; and Laura Cundari, who is active on food, agribusiness, energy, mining, construction and cannabis disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Sean Boyle; Joe McArthur KC


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Roy Millen; Alexandra Luchenko; Laura Cundari; Peter Rubin


Kernmandanten

Noramco LLC


Romspen Investment


Highline Produce


British Columbia Treaty Commission


AbCellera Biologics


Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance


Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies


Dan Lok Education


Global Crossing Airlines


Pure Gold Mining


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Romspen Investment in a $200m commercial real estate claim.
  • Acted for Highline Produce in a commercial dispute between one of the largest growers of mushrooms in North America and one of their suppliers.
  • Defended the Warner Bros. entities in a proposed class action regarding allegations of illegal fees in mobile games.

Fasken

The British Columbia practice at Fasken excels across a broad range of contentious matters. Class action, administrative and public law, corporate and securities litigation, injunctive relief, contractual disputes, and international and domestic arbitration are all core strengths. The group is also regularly involved in commercial litigation involving the healthcare, energy, forestry, mining and real estate segments. The practice is co-led by two seasoned litigators: Tracey Cohen KC, who provides leading litigation and arbitration support on complex commercial and corporate disputes; and commercial litigation and white-collar crime specialist Andrew Nathanson KCGeoffrey Cowper KC handles human rights, public law and commercial dispute cases, while Alexandra Mitretodis shines on cross-border disputes. Andrew Borrell is noted for his expertise in class action defence. White-collar crime expert Gavin Cameron is another key name.

Praxisleiter:

Tracey Cohen KC; Andrew Nathanson KC


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Geoffrey Cowper KC; Alexandra Mitretodis; Andrew Borrell; Gavin Cameron


Referenzen

‘The biggest strength of the firm is the quality and expertise of the team – lead partner Tracey Cohen particularly stands out.’

‘The team has demonstrated great analytical skills and the ability to process large amounts of information.’

‘The lawyers have demonstrated the ability to quickly and effectively conduct the appropriate research for understanding issues and preparing legal strategies.’

Kernmandanten

Google


Cambie Surgeries


BC Hydro and Power Authority


Sandoz Canada


Craig James, Former Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia


Proctorio


BC Liberal Party, Roxanne Helme


Verano Holdings


Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC


Mount Polley Mining


Parkland Fuel


Coastal Gaslink Pipeline


Hootsuite


Skeena Resources


Marsh Canada/Marsh Canada Limitee and Thomas Liu


FortisBC Energy


Cindy Dickson


Cermaq Canada


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised BC Hydro and Power Authority on Indigenous and regulatory issues related to Site C (a large hydroelectric dam) and acted for BC Hydro in court challenges to the project.
  • Represented Cambie Surgeries in litigation involving constitutional challenges to restrictions on offering alternatives in public healthcare.
  • Represented Google in a variety of matters, including Situmorang v Google.

McCarthy Tétrault

The British Columbia practice at McCarthy Tétrault demonstrates skilful handling of mining, environmental, Aboriginal and energy-related disputes. The group is also regularly sought out by national and international clients in the retail, healthcare, tech and financial services segments. Jill Yates steers the department and oversees major commercial cases for finance, agribusiness and pharmaceutical-sector clients. Additional key team members include leading litigator Michael Feder KC, who has substantial experience acting on consumer class action matters; and Aidan Cameron, who shines in construction, mining, insurance and real estate litigation. Alexandra Cocks and Patrick Williams, who was recently promoted to the partnership, are additional key contacts. Una Radoja specializes in filing or defending claims by public and private companies against directors and officers. Partner Miranda Lam left the firm in January 2022, moving in-house.

Praxisleiter:

Jill Yates


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Michael Feder KC; Aidan Cameron; Alexandra Cocks; Patrick Williams; Una Radoja


Kernmandanten

Endo Pharmaceuticals


Meta Platforms


Council of Canadians with Disabilities


Sanofi


JUUL Labs


Newmont


TDK


Unilever Canada


British Columbia Ferry Services


Syngenta


TD Bank


Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson

Vancouver-based litigation boutique Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson is regularly called upon to support clients involved in contract, wealth, administrative, shareholder and human rights disputes. While the group is well-equipped to deal with the gamut of segments, it has particular sectoral expertise in banking, financial services, property development, mining and communications. Irwin Nathanson KC and Stephen Schachter KC are well-regarded for corporate commercial litigation matters, including class actions, hostile take-over bids, professional negligence and securities matters. Younger partner Peter Senkpiel KC, who was appointed King’s Counsel in December 2022, focuses on commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution and advisory work; Karen Carteri is noted for her expertise in partnership disputes, property development disputes and insurance issues. Kayla Strong is the key name to note at associate level, following the departure of associate Caitlin Ohama-Darcus in January 2023. The team was strengthened with the arrival of forestry disputes-focused partner Mark S. Oulton in February 2023.

Referenzen

‘They have an efficient team of excellent lawyers and staff.’

‘Karen Carteri is a terrific counsel in court and outside of court. She is very calm and very persuasive.’

Poulus Ensom Smith LLP

Vancouver-based litigation boutique Poulus Ensom Smith LLP, founded in 2022, specializes in corporate, commercial and securities litigation. Core areas of expertise include contract and shareholder disputes, injunctions and enforcement proceedings, administrative law and regulatory prosecutions, professional negligence claims, commercial arbitrations and defamation claims. The names to note at partner level are ‘top litigator’ Hein Poulus KC; Laésha J. Smith, who majors on securities litigation and enforcement matters; and Joseph Ensom, lauded by one client as a ‘litigation star in the making’, who regularly acts for clients in contract and real estate disputes.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Hein Poulus KC; Joe Ensom; Laésha J. Smith


Referenzen

‘Very high-level capability in corporate, commercial and securities litigation matters.’

‘Hein Poulus KC is a top flight senior litigator. Joe Ensom is a very capable and knowledgeable young litigator. Laésha Smith is very experienced in securities litigation and regulatory hearing work. All three have strong legal skills and high levels of legal knowledge in their fields, and provide very practical advice.’

‘Laésha Smith is highly regarded in the securities law space. She is very capable and competent.’

Kernmandanten

Telus


Thunderstruck Resources


Real Estate Webmasters


Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company


Telecure Technologies


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Telus Health and related Telus companies in defending a petition seeking an injunction to shut down Telus Health on the basis that it violates the Medicare Protection Act.
  • Represented Thunderstruck Resources in a cross-border dispute arising from the breakdown in the relationship between Thunderstruck, a mineral exploration company operating in Fiji, and Bonga, a drilling contractor.
  • Represented Real Estate Webmasters in a complex dispute relating to a customized web platform it developed for Century 21.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP‘s British Columbia office is well-versed in commercial litigation involving the construction, power, oil-and-gas, transportation and mining segments, and has experience acting for government bodies, corporations and families. The group has additional expertise handling arbitration and insolvency, shareholder and contractual disputes. Practice co-head Sarah McEachern is retained by clients seeking solutions to complex commercial and construction disputes; she handles both litigation and arbitration and has particular knowledge of the mining and healthcare sectors. Leading alongside her, Robert Deane is highly specialized in arbitration proceedings.

Praxisleiter:

Robert Deane; Sarah McEachern


Kernmandanten

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority


City of Vancouver


Deep Water Recovery and Union Bay Industries


Electronic Arts


Haider Pirani, Mehboob Pirani and Mustaq Piranis


Harpreet Singh Khela


Husky Energy (now Cenovus)


Mark Morabito


Pan American Silver


Powertech Labs


Revolution Resource Recovery Park


South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (Translink)


University of Brussels


Vancouver College Limited


Lawson Lundell LLP

The 47-strong British Columbia team at Lawson Lundell LLP counts commercial litigation, securities litigation class action defence, shareholder disputes and environmental and Indigenous disputes among its core strengths. The department is also regularly engaged in contentious constitutional and public law, climate change, construction, defamation, insurance, product liability and natural resources affairs. Practice head Laura Bevan leads the group, which fields offices in both Vancouver and Kelowna. Vancouver-based Craig Ferris KC is well-versed in shareholder remedies, trust, pension and fiduciary disputes, securities and transactional litigation, product liability, mining disputes and real estate litigation; he is routinely instructed by mining, finance, retail, communications and manufacturing-sector clients.

Praxisleiter:

Laura Bevan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Craig Ferris KC


Kernmandanten

BC Hydro


Dan Ni Wu


Skookum Creek Power Partnership


Grieg Seafood B.C.


Province of British Columbia


University of Victoria


Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)


Imperial Distributors Canada (Imperial)


Parking Corporation of Vancouver


Coromandel Acquisition 2016


British Columbia Securities Commission


Aviva Insurance Corporation of Canada


The Trustees of the Boilermakers’ Lodge 359 Pension Plan


Westurban Developments


Unifirst Canada


Norton Rose Fulbright

The British Columbia team at Norton Rose Fulbright routinely handles domestic and cross-border dispute mandates, international arbitrations and investigations for clients across the mining, real estate, finance, healthcare and telecoms sectors. Vancouver-based Beth Allard steers the practice. Additional key department figures include Daniel Bennett KC, who specializes in commercial, real estate and natural resources-related litigation; James Goulden KC, who has focused his practice on commercial disputes involving breaches of commercial agreements, securities litigation and shareholder disputes; and Thomas J. Moran, who has notable experience in contentious matters involving forestry and other natural resources.

Praxisleiter:

Beth Allard


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Daniel Bennett KC; James Goulden KC; Thomas J. Moran


Referenzen

‘James Goulden is very responsive to queries/questions despite having a busy litigation practice. Able to condense complicated legal issues into meaningful guidance and action steps; pleasant to deal with; efficient use of time (which translates into billings).’

‘Good expertise. Listens carefully to client objectives and concerns, and seeks to obtain good results for client.’

Kernmandanten

Rio Tinto


Witmar Holdings


Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership


Investors Group Financial Services


Horizon Capital Holdings


National Forest Products


Pt. Ellice Properties


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for Rio Tinto Alcan before the BC Supreme Court to dismiss environmental tort claims brought by two Indigenous groups.
  • Advised on a dispute regarding the purchase of an enterprise-level web platform by Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

Stikeman Elliott LLP

The compact British Columbia group at Stikeman Elliott LLP handles a wealth of business litigation matters within the technology, government, financial services, real estate and natural resources sectors. The team members often work in collaboration with their peers in the firm’s Calgary and Toronto offices. The department is coordinated by David Brown, whose practice has an emphasis on corporate and commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, products liability and insolvency. Key partner Jonathan Buysen regularly acts on all manner of contentious corporate and commercial matters.

Praxisleiter:

David Brown


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jonathan Buysen


Kernmandanten

SunPharma Canada


Lloyd’s Underwriters


MS Amlin


Richardson International


Dennis James Aitken LLP

Newly-formed disputes boutique Dennis James Aitken LLP, operational since May 2023, demonstrates expertise in litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Notable figures at the six-strong practice include managing partner Owen James, who specialises in contractual claims, fraud claims, and shareholder actions; Craig Dennis KC, who majors on class action defense and product liability matters mandates; and all-round corporate-commercial specialist Eric Aitken.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Owen James; Craig Dennis KC; Eric Aitken


Bennett Jones LLP

Bennett Jones LLP's British Columbia practice is regularly sought out by clients in the real estate, construction, pharmaceutical, transport, oil and gas, retail and hospitality segments for its assistance with the resolution of disputes. The group works closely with the firm’s other offices on multi-province class actions and securities litigation. Practice head David Gruber specializes in corporate and commercial litigation and shareholder disputes, while partner Melanie Teetaert majors on energy, commercial and construction litigation, as well as commercial arbitration.

Praxisleiter:

David Gruber


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Melanie Teetaert


Kernmandanten

United States Securities and Exchange Commission


PricewaterhouseCoopers


Concord Pacific Developments


Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce


AXOR Group


Emerald Health Sciences


Boffo Investment


Huntly Investments


ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the enforcement of a default judgement.
  • Acted for Concord Pacific Developments on the successful acquisition of a 90+ storey condominium project in Toronto through a contested insolvency process.
  • Acted for CIBC on a claim by a banking customer alleging that the bank executed fraudulent wire transfer instructions as the result of an email hack.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

The Vancouver-based practice at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is regularly instructed by educational institutions, financial institutions, government bodies, insurance companies and retailers seeking support with commercial litigation. Negligence actions, class action defence, shareholder disputes, tax litigation and insolvency litigation are particular strengths of the group. Practice head John Birch is based in Toronto and specializes in restructuring and insolvency proceedings.

Praxisleiter:

John Birch


Kernmandanten

Doman Group of Companies


Kelly Petersen


Pace Credit Union


Lee Ingraham


Costco Wholesale Canada


Jean Coutu (PJC)


Intracorp


Dentons

Dentons's Vancouver office handles a range of real estate and contractual disputes, as well as supporting clients in the transportation, tech and mining sectors with arbitration and litigation. Commercial litigation specialist Morgan Camley heads up the practice. Emma Irving, an up-and-coming partner, is acclaimed for her work on contract and transactional litigation, class actions and personal injury defence. Senior associate Mélanie Power's practice focuses on representing government, private and public sector clients on a broad range of litigation matters.

Praxisleiter:

Morgan Camley


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Emma Irving; Mélanie Power


Kernmandanten

CN Rail


Niantic


Canada Mink Breeders Association


HSBC


Swissport Canada


Well Health Technologies


Dell Technologies


AIG Insurance Company of Canada


Amazon