Biography
Spotlight
Craig is esteemed in B.C. for his "excellent experience and practical advice." He has deep experience handling both class actions and commercial trials and is praised by clients for his "good, solid common sense, strategy and communication."
- Chambers Canada, 2021 Guide
Craig is one of British Columbia’s most accomplished litigation lawyers and acts for clients in commercial and business disputes. His particular areas of focus 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 also has extensive experience, both as counsel and as a neutral, in international and domestic arbitrations as well as in administrative settings, including before the British Columbia Securities Commission. Craig has particular knowledge of class actions and acted as lead counsel in several successful defences of major class proceedings in a wide variety of industries.
Craig is a regular contributor to Lawson Lundell’s Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, a resource that examines current trends and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities.
Professional Activities
- Canadian Lawyer Editorial Board, Board Member (2023 - current)
- The Advocates’ Society, Director (2022 - current)
- Law Society of British Columbia, President (2020), Bencher (2014 – 2019), Life Bencher and Discipline Committee, Non-Bencher Member (2010-12)
- Supreme Court Advocacy Institute, Roster Member for British Columbia
- Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow (Trial Law Institute, Member and Diversity Law Institute, Member)
- Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society, Member
- Vancouver International Arbitration Centre, Domestic and International Arbitration Panelist
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- International Council for Commercial Arbitration, Member
- ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, Member
- Canadian Bar Association, Member
- Vancouver Board of Trade, Member
- Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, Member
- Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, Contributor
Community Activities
- Bard on the Beach Society, Director (2013-2018)
- Capital Campaign Committee, Bard on the Beach Society, Member (2010-11)
- Capital Campaign Committee, West First Theatre Centre, Member (2014 – 2016)
Personal Interests
Craig is married with three children. He is an active runner and has completed 14 marathons including Boston and New York.
Recognitions & Rankings
Recognitions & Rankings
- Lexpert's Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers: Litigation - Corporate Commercial Law, 2025
- Chambers Canada: Litigation: General Commercial - British Columbia (Band 2), 2024-2025
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Director and Officer Liability Practice, and Employee Benefits Law, 2010-2025
- Benchmark Litigation: Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada, 2020-2024
- Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys - Litigation Star, 2019-2024
- Chambers Global:
- Dispute Resolution: Litigation (Band 3), 2024-2025
- Dispute Resolution: Litigation (Band 4), 2023
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Lawyer of the Year - Director and Officer Liability Practice (Vancouver), 2024
- The Legal 500 Canada: Dispute Resolution: British Columbia (Leading Individual), 2021-2025
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory:
- Litigation - Corporate Commercial (Leading Practitioner), 2023-2024
- Commercial Arbitration (Leading Practitioner), 2024
- Canadian Law Awards: Litigator of the Year - Excellence Awardee, 2022
- Canadian Lawyer: Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada, 2021
- Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America, Order of Centurions
- Litigation Counsel of America, Order of Certus
- Chambers Global: recognised in the Dispute Resolution (British Columbia) category
- Lexpert Zenith Award: Mid-Career Excellence in the Legal Profession in the area of Commercial Litigation, 2018
- Litigation Counsel of America: Inducted as Fellow, 2017
- Best Lawyers: Employee Benefits Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver, 2016
- Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: AV Peer Review rated
Experience
Experience
Representative experience includes:
- Successfully argued that creating a City of Vancouver rent control scheme was outside of the City’s jurisdiction and, as a result, struck down a City of Vancouver’s bylaw regulating rent
2024 BCCA 37; 2022 BCSC 1302 - Successfully established jurisdiction of the BC courts over an alleged fraud and embezzlement which took place in China, 2023 BCSC 1800
- Successfully defeated an allegation of unconscionability with respect to a mortgage 2023 BCCA 425, 2022 BCSC 1512
- Successfully represented a global brand client in a private international arbitration involving issues in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Obtained an order of the tribunal declining jurisdiction over the main dispute
- Successfully represented a global mining firm in two injunctive applications with respect to its operation of a joint venture mining project located in Saskatchewan (Star Diamond Corporation and others v. Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Ltd. Sask QB 610 of 2020, August 10, 2020 and June 24, 2021)
- Successfully defeated an appeal and established crown immunity from the application of GST for pooled investment portfolios used to fund certain public sector pension plans (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2019 SCC 63; 2018 BCCA 47)
- Successfully defeated an appeal and established crown immunity from the application of GST for pooled investment portfolios used to fund certain public sector pension plans (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2018 BCCA 47)
- Successfully obtained a dismissal of a professional negligence claim by way of summary trial on the basis that the claim was governed by the laws of Alberta and, under those laws, the claim was barred by the ultimate limitation period (Misterly et al v. Nowicki, 2017 BCSC 2358)
- Successfully established crown immunity from the application of the GST for pooled investment portfolios used to fund certain public section pension plans (British Columbia Investment Management Corporation v. Canada (Attorney General) 2016 BCSC 1803)
- Successfully represented the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, at both the trial and the appellate levels, in a jurisdictional challenge in relation to its claim for crown immunity from the application of the Excise Tax Act (Canada). (bcIMC v. Canada, 2014 BCSC 1296; bcIMC v. Canada, 2015 BCCA 373)
- Successfully represented an equity lender in the enforcement of a complex multi-property, multi-borrower mortgage enforcement proceeding and defeated a related counterclaim. The action raised issues of unconscionability, fiduciary duty, abuse of a Power of Attorney and various statutory claims. (Canmerica Mortgage Corporation v. Yu, 2015 BCSC 773)
- Represented the Canadian Bar Association as an intervener in the Supreme Court of Canada in a successful constitutional challenge to the application of money laundering laws to lawyers in Canada. The decision supported the protection of solicitor client privilege as a constitutional principle and established the lawyers' duty of commitment to his or her client as a principle of fundamental justice in Canada. (Canada (Attorney General) v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2015 SCC 7)
- Successfully represented the British Columbia Pension Corporation in a dispute alleging the wrongful payment of a survivor’s pension benefit. (Fricker v. British Columbia Pension Corporation et al, 2014 BCSC 1729)
- Successfully defended at trial and on appeal a complex commercial claim involving breach of fiduciary duty and professional negligence in the context of a real estate acquisition and proposed development in British Columbia. The claim involved allegations relating to the both the solicitation of the investment, and the operation of the limited partnership which acquired the real estate. (Voegtlin v. Paprotka, 2013 BCSC 1613, 2014 BCCA 323)
- In 2013/14, successfully represented an international mining client in a private arbitration concerning an option agreement related to an exploration property located in Africa
- Successfully challenged and overturned the election of directors and the passing of all resolutions at an annual general meeting of a publicly traded company and obtained an order for a new meeting. In doing so, Craig had a proxy solicitation system provided by a major Canadian proxy solicitation service found to be oppressive to the company’s shareholders (International Energy and Mineral Resources (Hong Kong) Company Limited Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Limited, 2012 BCSC 1191)
- Successfully represented a real estate developer in an action brought pursuant to the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (British Columbia) asserting rescission of a pre-construction contract of purchase and sale of a residential condominium due to alleged misrepresentations (Chaisson v. Avra Development Corp. 2014 BCSC 925)
- In 2012, successfully represented a bio-energy producer in a private arbitration and obtained an award relating to the value of bio-fuel from a specific supplier
- Argued a leading decision on the question of the waiver of privilege over client communications in the context of a law firm’s defence of a claim by a non-client (Voegtlin v. Paprotka, 2012 BCSC 728)
- British Columbia Court of Appeal substantially adopted our position with respect to the commencement of a limitation period in an intended class proceeding arising in the pension context. (Weldon v. Agrium Inc., 2012 BCCA 53)
- Successfully obtained an order for special costs against the Defendant due to his conduct. Resolved the costs award for a 90% indemnity of the total actual legal fees incurred throughout the proceeding (Hoffman v. Percheson, 2011 BCSC 1175)
- Successfully defended a mortgage lender accused of fraudulently failing to account for mortgage payments alleged to be part of a scheme to avoid taxation. Extensive reasons were given dismissing the allegations on the basis of the borrower's and his agent's lack of credibility. (Hoffman v. Percheson, 2011 BCSC 770)
- Successfully obtained a mutli-million dollar judgment in relation to a complex limited partnership/debt dispute on a summary trial application (Tocchio v. Graoch Associated Limited Partnership (BCSC Action No. S110326), April 6, 2011)
- Obtained an order disqualifying counsel for the opposing party based on a conflict of interest (Roeder v. Chamberlain and Davies & Company, 2010 BCSC 920)
- Successfully obtained a judgment ordering that two legal proceedings commenced in British Columbia against Alberta lawyers be transferred to the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench (Broman v. Machida Mack Shewchuk Meagher LLP, 2010 BCSC 760)
- Successfully obtained summary dismissal of a claim of breach of duty and negligence against a Pension Administrator (Estate of Martens v. Martens and BC Pension Corporation, 2009 BCSC 1477, 2010 BCCA 326)
- Successfully defeated an application to stay a British Columbia Supreme Court proceeding in favour of arbitration under the Rules of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (H & H Marine Engine Service Ltd. v. Volvo Penta of the Americas, Inc., 2009 BCSC 1389)
- In 2008, successfully represented an international mining client in a private arbitration and obtained an award with respect to the proper interpretation of the contractual formula for the calculation of a royalty payment
- Successfully obtained an appraisal remedy for the same price as the underlying take-over bid (Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. v. Vesuna et al., 2007 BCSC 1374, 2008 BCCA 248)
- Succeeded in proving fraud against a claimant of disability benefits from a benefit trust (The Trustees of the IWA- Forestry Industry Ltd. Plan v. Bhullar, 2008 BCSC 168)
- Overturned on appeal certification of a major pension class proceeding and obtained a stay of that proceeding in favour of arbitration (Ruddell v. BC Rail Ltd. 2007 BCCA 269)
- Successfully defended a Petition challenging the approval of a second step business combination under OSC Policy 61-501 and alleging oppression (Bingham Ashton Mining of Canada Inc., 2007 BCSC 281)
- Successfully overturned on appeal certification of a major pension class proceeding (Williams v. College Pension Board, 2007 BCCA 19)
- Successfully defended a shareholder’s right plan before the British Columbia Securities Commission (Re. Imperial Metals Corporation, CAT-Gold Corporation and bcMetals Corporation, November 10, 2006)
- Successfully obtained pre-certification dismissal of a major class proceeding which sought remedies based on trust, competition law and statutory authorization law issues (The Consumers Association of Canada v. Coca Cola Bottling Company et al 2007 BCCA 356; 2006 BCSC 1233)
- Successfully represented the Trustees of the IWA – Forest Industry LTD Plan and obtained an early summary dismissal of a claim against them for breach of fiduciary duty relating to their adjudication of disability claims; (Atco Lumber v. Leech, 2006 BCSC 524 and Atco Lumber Ltd. v. Leech, 2007 BCCA 238)
- Successfully represented the plaintiff in a leading decision on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of British Columbia over foreign defendants (Xytus Century Mining Corporation, 2005 BCSC 741)
- Successfully represented a major forest product company in a private arbitration brought under the Timber Harvesting Contract and Subcontract Regulation (British Columbia) during 2005
- A class action involving complex pension issues in which the court largely adopted our position on certification issues (Gregg v. Freightliner 2003 BCSC 241)
- Successfully obtained a declaration of insurance coverage for our client (EFP Holdings Ltd. v. the Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company of Canada 2001 BCSC 1580; 2002 BCCA 637)
- The leading British Columbia case on contested corporate arrangements. We successfully obtained court approval on behalf of our client; and (Re Pacifica Papers Inc. 2001 BCSC 1069; 2001 BCCA 486)
- Successfully quashed a multi-million dollar logging tax assessment and successfully defended the decision before the British Columbia Court of Appeal (Slocan Forest Products Ltd. et al v. HMTQBC et al (1999) 99 DTC 5836; 2000 BCCA 520)
Class Proceedings
Representative matters acting as defence counsel includes the following class proceedings:
- Successfully defeated an application for certification of a proposed consumer class action relating to claims of unjust enrichment, unconscionability, criminal interest and deceptive practices with respect to violation notices issued for parking vehicles in private parking lots without a valid prepaid parking ticket (Webster et al v. Robbins Parking Service Ltd. and Imperial Parking Canada Corporation, 2016 BCSC 1863)
- Substantially successful in an appeal from the certification of a class proceeding resulting in the dismissal of 2 of the 3 causes of action alleged against our client. The class action related to a long term disability plan available to disabled union members whose benefits were reduced due to a deficit in the fund utilized by Trustees to provide the benefits (Watt et al v. Health Sciences Association, 2016 BCCA 325)
- Representing a major industrial client in relation to a claim arising from the conversion of its pension plan from a defined benefit to a defined contribution plan
- Represented an industry organization in a proposed class proceeding arising from its involvement in a government sponsored management agreement of certain natural resources and the legality of fees charged under the management system
- Defended the appeal from the dismissal of an intended class proceeding relating to allegations of charging improper fees, unauthorized use of funds and breach of The Trade Practices Act
- Defended a society against allegations of improper receipt and use of monies received
- Defended two national trust companies in a class proceeding relating to claims of breach of fiduciary duty
News & Publications
News & Publications
Chambers Global Practice Guides - International Arbitration 2021: Law & Practice, Author, August 17, 2021
- Four Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognised in Lexpert's Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers 2025, Lexpert, January 14, 2025
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - Litigation 2025, Chambers Global Practice Guides, December 12, 2024
- 48 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 16 Practice Areas in Chambers Canada 2025, Chambers Canada, September 26, 2024
- Craig Ferris Quoted in Article by The Globe and Mail About Extreme Delays in Civil Trials Across Canada, The Globe and Mail , September 20, 2024
- 83 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognised Across 35 Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2025, Best Lawyers in Canada, August 29, 2024
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - International Arbitration 2024: Law and Practice, Chambers Global Practice Guides, August 22, 2024
- Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb. and Scott Lucyk, FCIArb. Publish Article with Chambers and Partners on Foreign Arbitral Awards, Chambers and Partners, June 17, 2024
- Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb., Quoted in Business in Vancouver on British Columbia's Bill 12 Pause, Business in Vancouver (BIV), May 8, 2024
- Benchmark Litigation Recognises Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb., and Grant Vogeli, KC, as Two of Canada’s Top 50 Trial Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, May 2, 2024
- Benchmark Litigation Canada Recognises 29 Lawson Lundell Litigators in 2024 Guide, Benchmark Litigation Canada, May 1, 2024
- 46 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Ranked Across 26 Practice Areas in 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, March 5, 2024
- Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb., Quoted in Law360 Canada on BC Court of Appeal Decision Against the City of Vancouver, Law360 Canada, February 14, 2024, Interview
- Craig Ferris Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Article About the Appointment of British Columbia’s First Indigenous Chief Justice , Canadian Lawyer, December 13, 2023
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - Litigation 2024: Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide, December 11, 2023
- Craig Ferris Quoted in Lexpert Magazine Article About the Backlog in Court Systems Across Canada, Lexpert Magazine , November 23, 2023
- Lawson Lundell Recommended in 12 Practice Areas in The Legal 500 Canada 2024 , The Legal 500, November 15, 2023
- 43 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 16 Practice Areas in Chambers Canada 2024, Chambers Canada, September 27, 2023
- Chambers Expert Focus: Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb. and Scott Lucyk, FCIArb. Report on Canada’s Pro-Arbitration Stance, Chambers & Partners, September 18, 2023
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - International Arbitration 2023: Law and Practice, Chambers Global Practice Guides, August 28, 2023
- 75 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognised Across 34 Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024, Best Lawyers in Canada, August 24, 2023
- Lawson Lundell Wins Multiple Firm and Lawyer of the Year Awards from The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024, Best Lawyers in Canada, August 24, 2023
- Chambers Expert Focus: Craig Ferris, KC, FCIArb. and Scott Lucyk, FCIArb. Report on Canadian Arbitration Trends, Chambers & Partners, May 19, 2023
- 41 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Ranked Across 24 Practice Areas in 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, March 1, 2023
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - Litigation 2023: Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide, December 1, 2022
- Lawson Lundell Recommended in 12 Practice Areas in The Legal 500 Canada 2023 , The Legal 500, November 9, 2022
- 43 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 17 Practice Areas in Chambers Canada 2023, Chambers Canada, September 29, 2022
- 70 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 37 Practice Areas in the Best Lawyers in Canada 2023 , Best Lawyers in Canada, August 25, 2022
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - International Arbitration 2022: Law & Practice, Chambers Global Practice Guides, August 17, 2022
- Craig Ferris Profiled in UBC Allard School of Law Newsletter, March 3, 2022
- 40 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Ranked Across 25 Practice Areas in 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, February 25, 2022
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - Litigation 2022: Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide, December 2, 2021
- 12 Lawson Lundell Practice Areas Recognised in Legal 500 2022 Rankings, Legal 500, November 10, 2021
- Craig Ferris Named One of Canada's Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, Canadian Lawyer, September 14, 2021
- 36 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 15 Practice Areas in Chambers Canada 2022, Chambers Canada, September 9, 2021
- 66 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 36 Practice Areas in the Best Lawyers in Canada® 2022 , Best Lawyers in Canada, August 26, 2021
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - International Arbitration 2021: Law & Practice, Chambers & Partners, August 17, 2021
- Craig Ferris Quoted in Bloomberg Law Article on Regulatory Changes to the Legal Profession in Canada, Bloomberg Law, August 6, 2021
- Craig Ferris Quoted in The Lawyer's Daily Article on the Law Society of British Columbia's Five Year Strategic Plan, The Lawyer's Daily, December 9, 2020
- Chambers Global Practice Guides - Litigation 2021: Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide, December 7, 2020
- Ten Lawson Lundell Practice Areas Recognised in Legal 500 2021 Rankings, Legal 500, December 1, 2020
- Craig Ferris Quoted in a Business in Vancouver Article on How the Unmet Legal Needs of British Columbians Can be Addressed, Business in Vancouver, November 4, 2020
- 58 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 34 Practice Areas in the Best Lawyers in Canada® 2021 , Best Lawyers in Canada® 2021 Edition, August 27, 2020
- Chambers Global 2019: Litigation Trends & Developments, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Litigation, Second Edition, January 9, 2020, Co-author
- 34 Lawson Lundell Lawyers recognized across 17 practice areas in Chambers Canada 2020, Chambers Canada, 2020 Edition, September 19, 2019
- 53 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 32 Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2020, The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2020 Edition, August 21, 2019
- 29 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Ranked Across 19 Practice Areas in 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, © Thomson Reuters Canada Limited, Lexpert Directory 2019, April 18, 2019
- Benchmark Canada Recognizes 27 Lawson Lundell Litigators in 2019 Guide, Benchmark Canada 2019 , March 26, 2019
- 31 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Ranked in Chambers Canada 2019, Chambers Canada , 2019 Edition, September 21, 2018
- 50 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognized Across 33 Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2019, The Best Lawyers in Canada® , 13th Edition, August 21, 2018
- Benchmark Canada® recognizes 19 of our lawyers in its 2018 Editorial , April 12, 2018
- Craig Ferris, QC and Lisa Peters, QC contribute to Chambers and Partners International Arbitration 2017, 2017 Chambers Global Practice Guides, Co-Author
- Craig Ferris quoted in the SNL Financial article, "Lawsuit over land transfer to First Nations could set precedent in British Columbia.", SNL Financial, February 19, 2016, Interview
- Q&A: Managing and resolving mining & commodities disputes, Financier Worldwide Magazine, October 2015, October 2015, Interview
- Benefit changes inspire class action and other lawsuits, National Post, November 26, 2014, Interview
- Mining report: Mining companies need to do a better job of preparing for AGMs, Business in Vancouver, March 17, 2014, Co-author
- A Framework Emerges - Recent developments in the Law of Intentional Economic Torts, May 23, 2013, Co-author
- Craig Ferris quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Getting Personal Canada: Shareholders Increasingly Activist",, November 15, 2010, Interview
- Liability and the Trustee, 3rd Pension Law & Litigation Course, Federated Press Course, April 20 & 21, 2009, Co-lecturer, March 12, 2009
- Supreme Court of Canada Appeal, November 17, 2008
- Pension and Employee Benefit Class Actions - The Defence Perspective, February 20, 2008
- “Bingham v. Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. – Sepp’s Gourmet Revisited”, Corporate Litigation, Vol. VIII, No. 3 p. 486, 2007
- “Ruddell v. BC Rail Ltd. – Case Comment”, Class Action Quarterly, Vol. 2 No. 2, December 2007
- Pension Dispute Arbitration Prevails Over Class Proceedings, July 30, 2007
- “Pension Dispute Arbitration prevails over Class Proceeding in Ruddell”, The Lawyers Weekly, p. 12, July 20, 2007, Co-Author with Murray Campbell
- “British Columbia Overturns Class Action Certification”, Pension Planning, ol. XIII, No. 4, 2007, Co-authored with Marko Vesely
- Denial of Disability Benefits, February 21, 2007
- “BC decisions indicates clear preference for class action legislation over ADR”, The Lawyers Weekly, March 24, 2006
- Pension Arbitration Trumped by Class Proceeding Legislation, March 12, 2006
- “Novel claims are becoming more precedent in pension class actions”, The Lawyers Weekly, March 25, 2005
- How Class Action Suits are Changing the Pension and Benefits Landscape, November 10, 2004
- Pension Class Actions, November 1, 2003
- “Defending Against the Worker’s Compensation Board”, Int. I.L.R. 208, 1998, Co-Author with Thomas Fox
Blog Posts
- IBA Updates Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 20, 2024
- B.C. Government Introduces Bill 12 – 2024 Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 14, 2024
- VanIAC’s New International Arbitration Rules: What You Need to Know, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, July 5, 2022
- No US Discovery for You! US Supreme Court rules that Discovery is Not Available for Private Foreign Arbitrations, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 16, 2022
- The British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Rule of Law and the Enforcement of Injunctions – the Teal Cedar Decision, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, January 31, 2022
- BC Court of Appeal Weighs in on Standard of Review of International Arbitral Awards, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 30, 2021
- Nip & Tuck: BC Becomes a Model Law Jurisdiction for International Commercial Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, July 6, 2018
- British Columbia Introduces Amendments to the Class Proceedings Act, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, April 26, 2018
- Transactional Common Interest Privilege Recognized by the Federal Court of Appeal, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 9, 2018
- Supreme Court of Canada confirms Sattva approach to review of commercial arbitration decisions in British Columbia, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 29, 2017
- Alberta court ruling signals companies can’t block shareholder vote, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 15, 2016
- Out-of–Province Class Actions Hearings – the Supreme Court of Canada has its say, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, October 21, 2016
- Alberta Court orders Shareholders’ Vote of Non-Arranging Corporation in a Plan of Arrangement, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 27, 2016
- Supreme Court safeguards solicitor-client privilege from requests under the Income Tax Act, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 14, 2016
- Supreme Court clarifies balance between deterrence and protection in securities class actions, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, December 10, 2015
- Out-of-Province Class Actions go to the Supreme Court of Canada, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 13, 2015
- What happens in Ecuador… no longer stays in Ecuador. The Supreme Court of Canada eliminates a jurisdictional barrier to cross-border enforcement action, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 10, 2015
- And so it ends…The Final Chapter of the Long-Gun Registry in Canada a.k.a The Limit of Cooperative Federalism, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 27, 2015
- “Newer Frontiers” – More Mining Litigation in Canada for Foreign Activities, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, December 30, 2014
- The Supreme Court of Canada Moves the Law of Contract: The Principle of Good Faith and the Duty to Act Honestly, Real Estate Law Blog, November 14, 2014
- The Supreme Court of Canada Moves the Law of Contract: The Principle of Good Faith and the Duty to Act Honestly, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 13, 2014
- New Frontiers - Mining Litigation in Canada for the Activities of Foreign Subsidiaries, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 16, 2014
- Finally, the Supreme Court of Canada puts some finality into Arbitrations, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, August 5, 2014
- The Supreme Court of Canada takes a cautious step toward approving Agreements correcting errors in Tax Planning and Implementation, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, December 3, 2013
- Was That A Gift? Or Does Someone Else Own My Land?, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 27, 2013
- Infrastructure Construction v. Private Enjoyment of Land - the Supreme Court of Canada Weighs In, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 8, 2013
- Order is Restored - Only Registered Shareholders Can Exercise Dissent Rights, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, October 24, 2012
- British Columbia Court of Appeal Overturns TELUS Shareholder Meeting Decision, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, October 15, 2012
- The Rising Tide of Court Intervention in Shareholder Proxy Contests in British Columbia, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, October 2, 2012
- Court of Appeal Reserves Judgment on Whether Beneficial Shareholders Can Exercise Dissent Rights, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 11, 2012
- Pas le Français in the Courts of British Columbia, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, July 30, 2012
- The Ground Shifts Again - B.C. Court of Appeal strictly applies REDMA in favour of a Non-Completing Purchaser, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 22, 2012
- The Long Arm of Canadian Courts - Supreme Court of Canada Clarifies the Test for Jurisdiction over Foreign Defendants, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, April 26, 2012
- Production of Confidential Settlement Documents - the Continuing Saga of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 12, 2012
- REDMA Update - Early Completion of Condominium Does Not Allow Rescission, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, January 30, 2012
- Am I Required to Complete my Real Estate Purchase? (a.k.a. the Mystifying World of Conditions Precedent), Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, January 20, 2012
- Developers Beware - Strict Compliance with Closing Procedures Required by the BC Court of Appeal, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 4, 2011
- The Continuing Protection of the Corporate Veil, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 30, 2011
- Are the Courts in B.C. Levelling the Ground? Recent decisions under REDMA, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, August 26, 2011
- The Supreme Court of Canada ends Anglican Church Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, June 16, 2011
- Look Before You Leap - Is an Arbitration Agreement Right for You?, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, May 9, 2011
- Is the Future Class Proceedings? - TELUS' Mandatory ADR Agreement is Unenforceable, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, March 21, 2011
- British Columbia and Alberta New Rules of Civil Procedure - Initial Impressions, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, February 13, 2011
- The House remains Divided - the Ongoing Schism within the Anglican Church of Canada, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, December 19, 2010
- Planes, the Gulf War and the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Canada, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, November 11, 2010
- Pension Plan Administrators Rejoice - with a Note of Caution, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, October 12, 2010
- Could Lord Conrad Black proceed in British Columbia?, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog, September 3, 2010
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
- “Direct and Cross Examination/Adverse and Hostile Witnesses,”CLEBC Live Course Seminar: Introducing Evidence at Trial 2017, Vancouver, BC, (March 30, 2017), Course Presenter
- BC Risk & Insurance Management Association, February 15, 2017, Speaker
- "Civil Trial Advocacy College Vancouver", November 5, 2015, Faculty
- "Evidence that Wins," Vancouver Bench & Bar Series, April 15, 2015, Faculty
- 27th Essential Skills for Pension Committee Members, Vancouver, November 6, 2014, Speaker
- 24th Essential Skills for Pension Committee Members, Vancouver, November 20, 2013, Speaker
- "Economic Torts", Torts 2013 Course, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, May 23, 2013, Speaker
- "Liability and the Trustee", 8th Pension Law & Litigation Course, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, March 5-6, 2013, Speaker
- "Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd. Panel Discussion", Vancouver, BC, January 29, 2013, Speaker
- "Liability and the Fiduciary", November 14-15, 2011, Speaker
- "Employer and Employee Rights and Obligations in Disability Claims", October 27-28, 2011, Speaker
- "Protecting the organization in the era of increased pension liabilities, shortfalls and litigation", Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, March 14-15, 2011, Co-lecturer
- "Liability and the Fiduciary", Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, November 8-9, 2010, Co-Lecturer
- "Proactively Protecting Your Plan",, Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute, Burnaby, BC, January 20, 2010, Speaker
- "Liability and the Trustee", Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, November 4 - 6, 2009, Speaker
- "Protecting the organization in an era of increased pension liabilities, shortfalls and litigation", Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, April 20 & 21, 2009
- "Liability and the Trustee", November 24, 2008, Speaker
- “Pollution Exclusion Clauses: An Analysis of the Canadian Jurisprudence”, June 17-18, 2008, Speaker
- “Pension and Employee Benefit Class Actions – The Defence Perspective”, January 30-31, 2008, Speaker
- “Mergers and Acquisitions – Recent Litigation Trends”, Corporate Governance Course, November 2007, Speaker
- “Current Trends in Pension and Benefit Class Actions”, April 6, 2006, Speaker
- “Pension Class Actions”, October 9, 2003, with Ward Branch, Speaker

Assistant Contact
- Patti Lewis
- Legal Assistant
- T: 604.631.9289
- plewis@lawsonlundell.com
Bar Admissions
- British Columbia (1991)
- Queen's Counsel, British Columbia (2014)
Education
University of British Columbia (B.A., 1986)
University of British Columbia (LL.B., 1989)