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Find Lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia for Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Practice Area Overview
Commercial litigation is a very broad practice area encompassing all disputes potentially arising in a business context. Consequently, practitioners in this area must have wide-ranging knowledge of both the business world and the myriad legal issues that can arise in that arena.
Commercial disputes may take on various forms, from breach of contract to shareholder disputes. Every litigious situation gives rise to a wide variety of remedies and recourses, such as an action for damages, a motion for an injunction, or a seizure before judgment. Furthermore, depending on their nature, such disputes can fall under the jurisdiction of several courts, each with its own set of rules.
In this challenging environment, commercial litigators must be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each situation and gauge their potential impact. Thorough knowledge of the commercial and operational issues at play will allow the practitioner to propose an appropriate litigation or ADR strategy, perhaps even a business solution.
Commercial litigation has evolved considerably over the years due to several factors, such as the near-universal adoption of information technology by businesses, and the increased complexity of commercial disputes. Add to that a slowing Canadian economy, and it is clear that commercial litigators must be prepared for war but open to peace.
Greg Allen is an experienced trial and appellate litigator who routinely appears as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has a diverse civil and commercial litigation practice, with expertise in shareholders remedies, municipal law, defamation, and administrative law. Greg represents a diverse roster of clients, ranging from large public companies to individuals. Greg has a particular specialty in appellate advocacy. He has made 10 appearances...
Robert Anderson practices as general counsel representing clients in court and in alternative dispute forums including arbitrations and mediations. He regularly appears in court on matters that involve a wide variety of areas of law. Mr. Anderson practiced as Crown Counsel before joining Farris in 1981. Mr. Anderson has appeared in all levels of the courts in British Columbia, the Federal Trial Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Tax Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has...
Bryan Baynham chairs the Defamation, Privacy and Media Law Group at Harper Grey. He is also the past chair of our Commercial Litigation Group. Bryan provides advice and acts as counsel with respect to corporate and commercial disputes and all issues relating to aviation, real estate, contract, tort and defamation litigation. He has extensive experience and has represented a number of financial institutions in appellate proceedings. Bryan is consistently ranked among the top lawyers in Canada ...
Dan Bennett's practice is focused in the areas of trial, arbitration, hearing and appeal work in commercial and administrative litigation. As a member of our litigation group, Mr. Bennett has conducted a broad range of cases in commercial, real estate, and natural resource matters in British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon superior courts and courts of appeal as well as the Federal Courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He also appears regularly before a number of administrative boards de...
Richard Bereti is the Chair of Harper Grey's Environmental Law Group. Richard is the author of British Columbia Environmental Management Legislation & Commentary, a guide to the regulation of contaminated sites, and former adjunct Professor of Law at UBC Law School. Richard provides advice on liability issues arising under the Environmental Management Act , the Contaminated Sites Regulation and other provincial and federal environmental statutes. He advises industrial and commercial enter...
Steve Berezowskyj is Counsel in the Construction and Infrastructure practice group. His litigation and dispute resolution practice focuses on insurance defence and construction related disputes. Steve regularly defends design professionals and contractors in various construction defect, warranty and general liability claims. He also advises on procurement, builders’ liens and claims for extras and delay. Steve’s litigation practice also focuses on insurance defence with an emphasi...
Laura is a litigator practicing in all areas of civil and commercial litigation. Laura has appeared as both trial and appellate counsel, including before all levels of court in British Columbia, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before various arbitration and administrative tribunals. Laura advises and represents clients in a broad range of industries. She acts for clients in the gaming industry, the banking and securities industries and in ...
Salman Bhura is a partner at Harper Grey and chair of our Banking & Insolvency Disputes and Real Estate practice groups. Salman is a senior practitioner in the areas of banking and insolvency, with an emphasis on financial restructuring and security enforcement. He routinely represents banks, trust companies and other institutional lenders including the TD Bank Group and National Bank of Canada. He is a frequent presenter on banking and insolvency matters. In his real estate practice, Sal...
Clive Boulton is a Partner in the Insurance and Commercial and Business Litigation Practice Groups at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. Clive has been practicing law since 1979, first at the Provincial Crown Counsel’s office in Vancouver to gain trial experience after finishing his articles. For two years he did exclusively trial work in Provincial and Supreme Court and spent six months doing jury trials. In 1981 Mr. Boulton entered private practice and has practiced in a variety o...
Kinji Bourchier is a leading commercial and business litigator in Fasken’s Vancouver office. Kinji’s primary practice areas include complex commercial and civil litigation with a focus on contractual disputes, environmental remediation claims, product liability claims, shareholder and transactional disputes, and business torts. Kinji has a focused practice in the field of environmental remediation cost-recovery claims and contaminated-site litigation. He regularly appears as lead ...
Gordon practices civil and commercial litigation with focuses in shareholder and partnership disputes, pension and benefits litigation, and administrative law. Gordon has appeared as lead counsel before the British Columbia Court of Appeal and regularly appears in the British Columbia Supreme Court. Gordon has also appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court and the Tax Court of Canada.
David Brown is a partner and leader of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group in Stikeman Elliott's Vancouver office. He conducts a broad litigation and dispute resolution practice with emphasis on corporate and commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, products liability and insolvency. He has acted as counsel in business-related disputes before trial and appeal courts, arbitration panels and administrative tribunals.
Jon Buysen is a partner practicing in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. Jon has a broad commercial litigation practice focused on corporate and commercial disputes. He has successfully acted on contract disputes, shareholder disputes, real estate disputes, business torts, insolvency matters and various other commercial claims. Jon has appeared before the British Columbia Supreme Court, British Columbia Court of Appeal, Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Federal Court of Ca...
Gavin Cameron is a litigator in Vancouver with a focus on commercial disputes and white-collar criminal investigations. Appearing as successful counsel in more than 50 reported decisions, including more than a dozen appeals, he advises on contractual disputes, shareholders’ remedies, defamation, commercial fraud, and regulatory prosecutions.
Ms. Carteri is a trial and appellate lawyer. She joined NST as a partner in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Carteri was a partner in the Vancouver office of a national law firm where she practiced for 14 years and where she was leader of the firm’s Vancouver office litigation group. In 2015, Ms. Carteri received the Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers in Canada Under 40 Award which recognizes leading lawyers in the Canadian legal community. Ms. Carteri received Benchmark Canada's...
When a commercial dispute arises, in the context of construction or otherwise, understanding a client’s long-term goals and identifying actionable first steps are key, especially when the stakes of litigation are high. Whether Rosalie is representing a developer, contractor, or a professional, she is committed to working diligently alongside her clients to establish practical legal solutions. When dealing with insurance coverage matters, Rosalie is thorough and pragmatic in her approach...
Mr. Clemens has practised as counsel in the field of civil litigation and administrative law since being called to the Bar in British Columbia in 1976. His practice has included appearances in all of the Superior Courts of British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada and before arbitration panels involving shareholders and partnership disputes, professional negligence claims, real estate, employment, securities, banking, insurance and maritime litigation. Mr. Clemens is experienced in adm...
James Coady is a Shareholder in Boughton Law’s Litigation Group. He is Director of Boughton Law and a former Director of Meritas, an association of 191 law firms worldwide. He has over 30 years’ litigation experience. His broad practice includes aboriginal, commercial and construction litigation. James is frequently involved in high profile and complex cases and has appeared before all levels of the Canadian court system. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2015 and is liste...
Shane is an experienced litigator with a practice focused on real estate and commercial business disputes. He regularly advises senior executives, in-house counsel, real estate development companies, investors, family-owned businesses and individuals on dispute-avoidance strategies. When issues cannot be resolved through negotiation, Shane delivers effective representation at all levels of court, before administrative tribunals and in mediations and arbitrations. “My clients focus on ma...
Tracey Cohen, KC is a leading commercial litigation and dispute resolution Partner in the Vancouver office. Tracey has been recognized for expertise in Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation and International and Commercial Arbitration and has repeatedly been recognized as one of Canada’s top 25 female litigators. Tracey was appointed as King’s Counsel in 2015 and was admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in March 2019. Tracey has been n...
Geoff Cowper, KC is a leading general litigator and a leader of the Firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution group. Geoff has served as counsel in leading private and public cases in Canada and internationally. These have included leading decisions with national and international dimensions respecting commercial law, public law and human rights.
Stephen Coyle's practice is specific to litigation and alternative dispute resolution for design consultants, owners, contractors, insurers and many of the other stakeholders involved in construction projects. In particular, Stephen is often appointed by insurers to defend design consultants captured by construction disputes, or other insureds under project-specific insurance policies. Stephen understands the construction industry and appreciates the significant risks and costs all stakeholde...
Angela Crimeni is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. Angela has a broad litigation practice focused on corporate and commercial disputes involving contract law, employment agreements, securities regulation, real estate, bankruptcy and insolvency, administrative law and various other commercial issues. Angela has appeared before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the British Columbia Supreme Court and the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Angela has also assiste...
Dean Dalke is a partner in the firm's Vancouver office where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations Group. His practice is focused on commercial and civil disputes and regulatory matters. Dean brings over 15 years of litigation experience in serving his clients who include a wide range of businesses such as large corporations, forestry and energy companies, First Nations, and high-net worth individuals in a variety of industries, including forestry and e...
Scott Dawson is a partner in the litigation department and a trial lawyer experienced in the resolution of a broad range of commercial disputes. He regularly appears before British Columbia Courts as part of his business-focused civil litigation practice. His cases cover a wide variety of commercial litigation issues including supply contracts, insurance / reinsurance, directors' fiduciary duties, international and domestic agency disputes, shareholder disputes and corporate reorganizations. ...
For 30 years, Craig Dennis, Q.C. has represented clients in significant litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels. Craig is a partner at Dennis James Aitken LLP. His practice has a business focus with an emphasis on the effective resolution of complex commercial disputes. His litigation expertise includes the defense of class actions, professional liability, shareholder and related corporate disputes, product liability, land-related disputes, as well as administrative and constitut...
Tim is a partner in Farris’ litigation group in Vancouver. He practices as general counsel and acts in many areas of law, including complex commercial disputes, Aboriginal and regulatory law, and constitutional test cases. Tim is an experienced advocate who regularly appears in lengthy trials and public inquiries and before appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Tim’s focus is on achieving results for his clients, whether through litigation or through negotiation...
Brian Duong maintains a generalist practice in civil and administrative litigation. His experience involves a broad range of matters including complex contract and shareholder disputes, property issues, franchise litigation, gaming law, constitutional claims, and freedom of information requests. Brian regularly appears as litigation counsel before all levels of court in British Columbia, and has represented clients in chambers applications, trials, appeals, judicial reviews, mediations, arbit...
David Edinger is a Partner in the Commercial Litigation, Construction, Insurance and Workplace Law Groups at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. He is also chair of the firm’s Conflict Committee, and a Member of the Management Committee. David specializes in uniquely tailored and effective approaches to dispute prevention and resolution, which includes advising on contract and procurement strategy, crafting creative risk management solutions, and resolving matters through negotiation...
Craig Ferris, QC is a litigator and acts for clients in commercial and business disputes. His particular areas of specialization include shareholder remedies, trust, pension and fiduciary disputes, securities and transactional litigation, product liability, mining disputes and real estate litigation. Craig has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia as well as the Supreme Court of Canada. He has also acted in private arbitrations and in administrative settings including before the...
John Fiddick joined Whitelaw Twining in 2012 as Litigation Counsel and the Chair of the Commercial Litigation Group. His practice involves a broad range of commercial and business litigation matters with a particular emphasis on insolvency and restructuring matters. He regularly represents senior and subordinate lenders, trustees and receivers and debtors in complex, multi-party litigation. These matters often involve the enforcement of security or court judgements. He has represented shareho...
Jenny Francis is Managing Partner of the Firm’s BC Region, with primary responsibility for leadership of the Firm’s Vancouver and Surrey offices. As Regional Managing Partner, Jenny is responsible for managing operations in the region as well as developing and implementing the region’s strategic direction. In her leadership, Jenny is committed to furthering Fasken’s position as a trusted advisor to clients and as a place where bright, talented, and collegial people wan...
David Garner is a Partner and a member of the firm’s Business Disputes, Construction + Engineering, Environmental, Health, Insolvency + Restructuring, Insurance and Maritime Practices. Mr. Garner recently completed a six and a half year term as the firm’s Managing Partner. David Garner’s practice is primarily litigation based with a considerable emphasis on alternate dispute resolution solutions including negotiation of settlements, releases and covenants, as well as standst...
James Goulden is a senior member of our litigation group. His practice is focused on trial and arbitration work in commercial and administrative disputes. James is also a member of our special situations team that deals with public company disputes, such as proxy fights and takeover bids. Mr. Goulden has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as the Federal Court and various administrative tribunals. He has acted as counsel in a broad range of commercial cases involv...
Brook Greenberg, KC is a leading British Columbia litigator with a stellar reputation in complex commercial litigation, including banking, forestry and construction litigation. Brook has significant experience both regionally and nationally and has appeared before all levels of court including the Supreme Court of Canada. Clients seek Brook out for representation in civil litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. Brook ensures that clients' business objectives are the primary focus of t...
Angus Gunn is a barrister who concentrates on the resolution of commercial disputes. His practice emphasizes (a) civil appellate litigation matters; (b) appointments as counsel and arbitrator in international and domestic commercial arbitration proceedings; and (c) counsel in judicial review and other administrative law matters. He blends a traditional litigation practice with extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution. He is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the...
Sarah Hansen is the Leader of Miller Thomson's Litigation Practice Group in Vancouver Her legal expertise is in general commercial litigation. With over 24 years of practice, she has specialized in the areas of environmental and Indigenous law. She represents (or has represented) clients in complex commercial litigation matters in relation to various energy projects focusing on regulatory and administrative law, environmental assessments of major projects, extra-provincial regulatory regimes,...
Oliver concentrates his practice on complex business disputes and time-sensitive bet-the-company commercial matters. Public and private corporations, partnerships, shareholders, directors, officers, boards, and others seek him out for a wide range of litigation matters affecting businesses in every industry. He has a strong record of delivering winning results in matters involving director and officer liability, media and defamation issues, corporate governance and shareholder rights disputes...
Paul Heisler is counsel at the firm and practices in the areas of employment law, constitutional litigation, and commercial litigation. Paul has extensive experience representing clients in disputes relating to wrongful dismissal, privacy law, workers’ compensation, post-employment competition, human rights, public law, labour relations, shareholder rights, and commercial matters. Paul also regularly provides legal and strategic advice to both employers and senior employees in the publi...
Ludmila is an experienced litigator. For 25 years, she has acted for clients in corporate, commercial, regulatory and public law matters dealing with shareholder and other corporate disputes, contractual issues, real property (including property tax), energy regulation, anti-money laundering issues and many others. She has represented clients before all trial and appellate courts in British Columbia as well as the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. Ludmila also often argues cases ...
Michael is a tested litigator with 30 years of demonstrated performance and results in complex litigation within British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada. Michael is primarily dedicated to representing his corporate and individual clients in litigation. With broad experience in civil, criminal, administrative and constitutional law cases, including a great deal of trial and appellate work, he represents the interests of those clients in formal disputes involving professional liability and dis...
A corporate and commercial litigator, Bryan Hicks’s practice focuses on business, shareholder and director disputes. Bryan also advises clients on restructuring and insolvency matters. He is a key resource for the firm’s Corporate, Securities, and Real Estate groups given his experience with resolving complex business disputes based on achieving desirable business outcomes for clients. His record of successful advocacy and exceptional client service have made him a litigator to wa...
Jonathan Hodes practices insurance and environmental litigation. He provides practical and cost-effective advice to Canadian, American, and international clients on product liability, general liability, coverage and environmental matters. In addition, he has completed Pepperdine University’s prestigious "Mediating the Litigated Case" program, and offers his services as a mediator in civil claims. He holds Canadian and U.S. law degrees and a large part of his practice involves assisting ...
Robert Hodgins is a Partner in our Vancouver Office and he is the Chair of the ICBC Practice Group. He is also a member of the Construction, Insurance and Commercial Litigation Groups. He has practiced litigation at the firm for over twenty five years. Robert’s practice is centered on motor vehicle claims, personal injury, construction, professional liability, insurance defence, and commercial litigation. He has represented a range of insurers including the Insurance Corporation of Brit...
Bill is a senior mediator and litigator who combines a deep understanding of the law with a wealth of strategic experience in assisting our clients on a range of business issues. With a successful track record of 35+ years in resolving commercial disputes, Bill sees all sides of an issue to help our clients find the best solution to their case whether in or out of the courtroom. His extensive understanding of these disputes and advanced mediation training in BC and at Harvard Law have provide...
Nick Hooge is a Partner in Farris’ litigation group. He has a general litigation practice and has appeared in all levels of courts in British Columbia, as well as in the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Nick has experience in a wide range of complex civil and commercial matters including contract disputes, product liability claims, real property litigation, corporate and securities law, administrative law, competitioner & antitrus...
Mr. Hordo has over 35 years of litigation experience, including commercial and partnership disputes, securities and pension matters, professional negligence, class actions, aviation product liability, administrative law, and catastrophic personal injury. Mr. Hordo has appeared in all levels of Court in British Columbia. He has also been counsel at both the trial and appeal level of the Federal Court of Canada and in the Supreme Court of Canada. He has acted as counsel in numerous complex comm...
Claire Hunter, K.C. is an experienced litigator with a broad civil litigation, public and administrative law and appellate practice. She appears regularly as counsel at both the trial and appellate level, including all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada, and before arbitration tribunals and administrative boards. She has experience working on complex commercial matters, including conducting internal investigations and conducting trials and appeals in high prof...
Robyn combines an extensive civil litigation practice with relevant experience in employment law. She has advised and represented clients in a variety of sectors with complex corporate and commercial litigation issues, including professional regulatory matters, contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, negligence, breaches of trust and fiduciary duties, and civil fraud. Robyn’s employment law work has included acting on behalf of employers and employees with respect to wrongful dismis...
Heather Jones has extensive practical experience in a broad range of litigation with her focus being complex corporate/commercial matters. She has been responsible for the successful resolution of shareholder disputes, officer and director liability matters, international fraud, contract disputes, fiduciary duty issues, governance problems, business purchase and sale conflicts, negligence claims and employee matters. She also has a wealth of experience in construction litigation. She assists ...
Randy J. Kaardal, K.C. is a senior litigator handling a wide range of commercial litigation for clients in the financial, mining, forestry, and manufacturing sectors. He has conducted hearings before all levels of Court in Canada, including the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He also regularly appears before various administrative tribunals including the B.C. Securities Commission, the Federal and Provincial Human Rights...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
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Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.