Expertise

Most trials are won on the facts. Appeals are won on the law. Our lawyers are seasoned appellate advocates. We have a curiosity about the law, an ability to see and understand different perspectives and policy concerns, the skills required to distill complex issues of law into understandable and persuasive arguments, and the resolve to hold our own before a panel of three active judges.

Our lawyers have appeared numerous times before the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada and have acted as counsel in leading appellate decisions regarding real estate law, strata property law, religious freedom, criminal sentencing, extradition, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, defamation and civil procedure.

Business disputes are our bread and butter. As effective commercial litigators, we not only understand the intricacies of the law, but also the commercial realities of your business. We know that “legal” is your least favourite line item on a financial statement. We strive to understand your business so that we can provide solution-focused advice. We have the experience to take your case to trial if that is the path you choose. If you’re forced to bet the company, you can feel safe betting it with us on your side.

We do not do routine strata work. Instead, we excel in cases that require a comprehensive understanding of the Strata Property Act and its interplay with other legislation. We have specific experience with issues concerning strata-titled hotels, shared use and ownership of strata property, leases of common property and strata lots, cost-sharing arrangements, enforcement of charges registered on title, enforcement of municipal bylaws, and complex governance issues.

From home renovations to large marinas, we act for owners, developers, contractors and professionals in construction disputes. Our construction litigation practice dovetails with our real estate litigation knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive advice to clients concerning all matters related to their construction project and the land on which it sits.

Defamation is one of the most specialized areas of the common law and is rife with pitfalls for an unsuspecting lawyer. Our lawyers have appeared as counsel in precedent-setting defamation cases and written scholarly articles on the ins and outs of the various defences to defamation claims. More importantly, we understand that the goal of a defamation claimant is not necessarily a payday, but vindication of a tarnished reputation in the eyes of the community. Wherever possible, we engage creative solutions to salvage reputations and repair relationships, saving our clients thousands of dollars in legal fees. 

We help employers and workers maintain fair and productive working relationships by providing timely and thoughtful advice to keep things going well, and effective representation and advocacy when they don’t. Our lawyers have experience drafting and reviewing employment contracts and policies and helping both employers and employees navigate terminations and other tough situations in the workplace. 

We have a strong working knowledge of the Local Government Act and the Community Charter, and advise elected officials, municipal staff and members of the public on the obligations imposed on municipalities by those statutes. Our real estate and construction litigation experience gives us a unique and valuable perspective on zoning and permitting issues in the municipal realm.  We aren’t afraid to fight city hall.

Our lawyers strive to help promote access to justice by volunteering with Access Pro Bono and offering pro bono services on select cases involving matters of public importance. We have represented individuals and organizations on a pro bono basis at all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.

When it comes to professional regulation, there is no substitute for experience and detailed industry knowledge. Our lawyers have represented professionals and organizations in their dealings with numerous administrative tribunals, as well as associated appeals and applications for judicial review, including the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, the Financial Services Tribunal, the Residential Tenancy Branch, the Civil Resolution Tribunal, the Property Assessment Appeal Board, the Employment Standards Tribunal and the Human Rights Tribunal.

We pride ourselves on being the go-to lawyers for real estate disputes in British Columbia. Our lawyers have represented owners, buyers, sellers, developers, strata corporations, industry groups and real estate agents in a myriad of matters. We also have invaluable experience and insight into the real estate industry. Our lawyers have worked for real estate agents’ liability insurer, written for and instructed real estate agents’ continuing education courses, and are regularly consulted by industry organizations.

In a closely-held company, successful resolution of a shareholders’ or directors’ dispute requires a deft hand.  When disputes arise, there are often several courses of action a shareholder or director can take. We not only know the law, we provide timely strategic advice to ensure our clients take the right steps toward a favourable outcome.