Vancouver-based commercial litigation boutique Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel handles contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, real estate litigation, construction litigation and defamation matters. The group is co-led by Greg Allen, who is praised as ‘the type of litigator you want on your side – empathetic, personable and legally rigorous’; Wes McMillan, highlighted as a ‘market leader in real estate development litigation’; and Kaitlyn Meyer, noted for her ‘well-thought-out advice’. Allen focuses on shareholders’ remedies, defamation and municipal and administrative law; McMillan majors on real estate litigation; Meyer handles commercial contracts, real estate, cross border issues and professional negligence matters. Associate John Trueman takes care of employment claims, administrative law matters and appellate work.
Dispute resolution: British Columbia in Canada
Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel
Practice head(s):
Greg Allen; Wes McMillan; Kaitlyn Meyer
Other key lawyers:
John Trueman
Testimonials
‘Very reasonable and responsive lawyers. Great client service and good strategic advice. Greg Allen and Wes McMillan are both excellent lawyers.’
‘The team of lawyers are specialized in their particular practices areas and they are also very practical in how they approach problem-solving for their clients. The lawyers, in particular Greg Allen, Wes McMillan and Kaitlyn Meyer, each are very reputable within the legal community and they generate referrals from other lawyers who have respect for who they are and how they practice.’
‘Greg Allen is the type of litigator you want on your side – empathetic, personable and legally rigorous.’
Key clients
Municipal Insurance Association
City of Burnaby
City of Abbotsford
City of Victoria
Ministry of Attorney General
Work highlights
- Acted for the City of Revelstoke in a case involving a novel duty of care analysis with respect to personal injury claims against a public authority.
- Acted in a real estate dispute, Zheng v Anderson Square Holdings.
- Defended an appeal brought by a property owner, Aura Ventures, who claimed a beneficial interest in a collective public parking lot held by the City of Vancouver.
Robert Fleming Lawyers
Robert Fleming Lawyers lead partner Robbie Fleming, who is lauded as an ‘exceptionally capable lawyer’ and a ‘seasoned professional’, takes care of commercial litigation, jurisdictional disputes, fraud claims and shareholder oppression claims. Also noted is senior associate John Zeljkovich, who has focused his practice on complex commercial matters, creditor’s remedies, fraud litigation, professional negligence claims and shareholders’ remedies. A recent standout matter saw the team represent New Jersey-based conglomerate XTL in a claim against a British Columbia manufacturer to recover funds on a cancelled contract.
Practice head(s):
Robbie Fleming
Other key lawyers:
John Zeljkovich
Testimonials
‘Robbie Fleming has a background in business, which has infused his firm with an orientation to solving problems for business clients. So many firms approach such problems as the setting for litigation, but the Fleming firm puts the perspective of the business client first.’
‘The senior partner, Robbie Fleming is a leader at the commercial bar, and is unusual in having extensive experience at both the criminal and civil bar. His senior associate, John Zeljkovich, makes a good pairing with Fleming, as he is relentless in marshalling facts and documents in support of the strategy developed by Fleming.’
‘Robert Fleming is an exceptionally capable lawyer and has unique accomplishments such as winning cases before the Supreme Court of Canada.’
Key clients
Bhuthal family
Kevin Lacroix
BC Notaries Captive Insurance Fund
GardaWorld
Equustek Solutions
Whistler Film Festival Society
Puppet Killer Productions
Helen Han
Marilyn Vince
Moodle
Work highlights
- Represented Equustek in a longstanding $11m claim related to the theft of trade secrets.
- Represented a client in an oppression claim, resulting in the Court of Appeal overturning an extraordinary order.
- Acted for the successful defendant, based in Western Australia, to obtain dismissal of the BC plaintiff’s claim asserting a right to publish their plug-in on our client’s website.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
The disputes capabilities of the practice at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP encompass commercial and securities litigation, as well as class action defence and arbitration. The practice is co-led by Joe McArthur KC, who specializes in representing mining, infrastructure, utilities, financial services and tech companies in commercial litigation and arbitration; and Robin Reinertson, who is well-versed in class action defence and product liability, consumer protection and competition litigation. Additional key contacts include Sean Boyle, who handles securities class actions, regulatory investigations and proceedings and capital markets litigation; Roy Millen
(public and administrative law); Alexandra Luchenko (regulatory compliance, transactional litigation and crisis management); Peter Rubin (contractual disputes, tax appeals, tort claims, shareholder and securities litigation); and Laura Cundari (litigation and arbitration involving the energy, mining, cannabis and infrastructure sectors).
Practice head(s):
Joe McArthur KC; Robin Reinertson
Other key lawyers:
Sean Boyle; Roy Millen; Alexandra Luchenko; Peter Rubin; Laura Cundari
Key clients
Coastal Gas Link
Absolute Software Corporation
Romspen Investment Corporation
Access Road Capital
Global Crossing Airlines Group
SureSwift Capital
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies
Oxbow Sulphur
Pure Gold Mining
British Columbia Treaty Commission
Work highlights
- Acted as arbitration counsel to Coastal GasLink in an International Chamber of Commerce international arbitration involving claims in excess of $1bn against PAPC and Bonatti.
- Defended Warner Bros. in a proposed class action regarding allegations of illegal fees in mobile games.
- Acted for Romspen, a senior secured creditor owed C$190m by Alderbridge Way and related entities, relating to commercial litigation proceedings being conducted under the supervision of a CCAA court.
Fasken
Fasken‘s British Columbia disputes capabilities take in class action defence, administrative and public law matters, corporate and securities litigation, contractual disputes, white collar and competition litigation and arbitration. The team, which is lauded by one client as ‘dedicated and capable’, is frequently instructed by corporate clients in the tech, healthcare, mining and pharma segments. Tracey Cohen KC and Andrew Nathanson KC share leadership of the department. Cohen specializes in class actions, oppression proceedings, derivative actions, pension litigation and professional negligence mandates. Nathanson has notable experience in commercial litigation and white-collar crime matters. Additional key contacts include Geoffrey Cowper KC
(commercial law, public law and human rights); Andrew Borrell (class action defence); and ‘legal prodigy’ Gavin Cameron, who has focused his practice on commercial disputes and white-collar criminal investigations. Alexandra Mitretodis departed for an in-house role in October 2024.
Practice head(s):
Tracey Cohen KC; Andrew Nathanson KC
Other key lawyers:
Gavin Cameron; Andrew Borrell
Testimonials
‘What sets Fasken apart is the firm’s reputation of having the most learned practitioners.’
‘Gavin Cameron is without a doubt a legal prodigy. He fiercely protects the Rules of the Supreme Court and conducts himself (and the interests of his client) in a way that’s always of the highest ethical standard.’
‘Dedicated and capable group which went the extra mile for us as a client. Responsive and knowledgeable about the law.’
Key clients
The Assembly of First Nations
Skeena Resources
Sandoz Canada
Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limited and Thomas Liu
Hootsuite
Proctorio, Incorporated
Conqora Capital Partners
Verano Holdings
Trustees of the B.C. Credit Union Employee’s Pension Plan
Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited
Steelix Builders Group
Work highlights
- Represented the class members in a class action that was brought against the federal government in relation to the chronic underfunding of the on-reserve child welfare system and under-funding of essential services to First Nations children and families.
- Acted for the defendant, Google LLC, in three privacy-related putative class actions.
- Acted for Skeena Resources in a dispute relating to a mine in Northern British Columbia.
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault's British Columbia disputes team routinely handles substantial commercial litigation mandates, including disputes involving mining, environmental, Aboriginal and energy matters. A recent highlight saw the group represent Meta in proposed Canadian class actions alleging that the company knowingly designed its social media platforms to expose young people to harmful content. Leadership of the department is shared between Jill Yates and Toronto-based national lead Sunil Kapur. Yates is well-versed in leading major cases for multinational clients in the financial services, healthcare, tech and forestry segments. Additional key litigators include Michael Feder KC (class action defence and arbitration); Aidan Cameron (commercial property and P3 disputes); Alexandra Cocks (contract and fraud claims, real estate disputes, product liability claims); Patrick Williams (arbitrations, class actions and regulatory proceedings); and Una Radoja (commercial, contractual and shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims).
Practice head(s):
Jill Yates; Sunil Kapur
Other key lawyers:
Michael Feder KC; Aidan Cameron; Alexandra Cocks; Patrick Williams; Una Radoja
Key clients
Meta Platforms
Syngenta Canada
Newmont Corporation
Canadian National Railway Company
Endo Pharmaceuticals and its Canadian affiliate, Paladin Labs
Sanofi
TDK
Unilever Canada and affiliates
British Columbia Ferry Services
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson
Vancouver-based litigation firm Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson is a strong choice for mining, real estate and commercial contracts disputes. The group is also frequently instructed by clients in the insurance, real estate, aerospace and tech segments. Key contacts include Irwin Nathanson KC and Stephen Schachter KC, who specialize in contractual and property disputes, class actions, hostile takeover bids, professional negligence and securities matters; James MacInnis KC, who majors on contractual disputes, professional negligence mandates, insurance defence and mining claims. Karen Carteri (shareholder and corporate disputes and remedies, property development disputes) and Peter Senkpiel KC (contract and business disputes, securities litigation, shareholder disputes, class actions and defamation) are additional names to note.
Other key lawyers:
Irwin Nathanson KC; Stephen Schachter KC; James MacInnis KC; Karen Carteri; Peter Senkpiel KC
Testimonials
‘Very smart. Very organized. Very professional. The team gave me a lot of confidence.’
‘James MacInnis KC is one of the smartest people I have dealt with. He also has an excellent demeanour and is easy to work with.’
Key clients
Taplow Ventures
Beedie Development and Kingsgate Property
G&T Martini Holdings
Insurance Council of BC
Castlebrook Investments
Turbolyft Aerospace Corporation and NAS Aerospace
PacNet Services, Rosanne Day, Gordon Day, Ruth Ferlow, Peter Ferlow and 672944 B.C., Miles Kelly, Fiona Kelly and Renee Frappier
John Derencinovic, Manny Kooner and Kai West Venture Capital
Ocean Pacific Hotels
Richard Mill
Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
Ming Sun Benevolent Society
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's British Columbia practice group handles domestic and international litigation and arbitration involving the energy, construction, real estate, tech and transport sectors. The group’s client roster regularly features government bodies, energy, automotive and mining companies. The department is jointly directed by Robert Deane, whose experience includes mining disputes, construction and infrastructure disputes and intellectual property litigation; and Sarah McEachern, who has particular knowledge of the construction, mining, healthcare and energy segments. Matthew Swanson (corporate and commercial litigation, contractual disputes) and Michelle Maniago (commercial, banking and corporate litigation) are additional key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Robert Deane; Sarah McEachern
Key clients
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
City of Vancouver
Deep Water Recovery and Union Bay Industries
Haider Pirani, Mehboob Pirani and Mustaq Pirani
Harpreet Singh Khela
Mark Morabito
Pan American Silver Corporation
Powertech Labs
Revolution Resource Recovery Park
University of Brussels
Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CP)
Accor Management Canada
Lawson Lundell LLP
Lawson Lundell LLP‘s British Columbia team, which fields lawyers in both Vancouver and Kelowna, handles a range of disputes mandates that includes commercial litigation, class action defence, competition and antitrust litigation, securities litigation and environmental and Indigenous disputes. The group’s expertise extends to administrative, constitutional and public law matters, ADR, insurance litigation and product liability matters. Civil and commercial litigator and public law specialist Laura Bevan steers the practice. Additional key contacts include Craig Ferris KC, who handles matters including trust disputes, pharmaceutical product claims and consumer pricing issues; and Marko Vesely KC, who focuses on class actions, defamation, shareholder disputes, pension litigation and commercial arbitration.
Practice head(s):
Laura Bevan
Key clients
The Trustees of the Boilermakers’ Lodge 359 Pension Plan
Westurban Developments
Concord Wedgemount Creek GP
BC Hydro
Orion Fund JV
Imperial Distributors Canada
Parking Corporation of Vancouver
Ecoasis Developments
Crowe MacKay & Company
Coromandel Properties
Orogenic Gold
Sung Oh Bang
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP's British Columbia disputes practice represents local, national and international companies in litigation, arbitration and ADR involving the life sciences, transport, energy, banking and insurance segments. The team has experience appearing before all levels of British Columbia courts, the Supreme Court of Canada and a number of regulatory tribunals. John Landry KC, who focuses on civil and regulatory litigation, and Rebecca Von Rüti, who also co-chairs the national class action practice group, share leadership of the department. Also noted are senior litigation partners David Neave and Kevin Wright. Shea Coulson, who specializes in regulatory compliance matters and litigation, joined the firm from McMillan LLP in April 2023.
Practice head(s):
John Landry KC; Rebecca von Rüti
Key clients
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Ford Motors
Pfizer
Fiserv
Tolko Industries
McGraw Hill LLC and McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited
Match Group
Baker Hughes/Brush Group
Home Depot
Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp
Work highlights
- Represented Bristol-Myers Squibb in six separate proposed national class actions brought with respect to opioids.
- Defended Ford Motors in a BC class proceeding.
- Acted for Pfizer in three product liability class proceedings commenced in BC, Ontario and Quebec.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright's disputes capabilities in British Columbia cover commercial litigation and arbitration across a number of sectors, among them financial services, energy, infrastructure, tech and healthcare. Beth Allard steers the practice. Additional names to note include Daniel Bennett KC (commercial, real estate and natural resources disputes); James Goulden KC (commercial and administrative disputes); and Thomas J. Moran (corporate and commercial litigation relating to real estate, forestry and natural resource disputes). Sarah McCalla (forestry issues and real estate disputes) was promoted to the partnership in January 2024.
Practice head(s):
Beth Allard
Testimonials
‘Thomas Moran is very dedicated to client needs, is a good thinker, and is very personable. Excellent at responding to messages and briefing clients. Sarah McCalla is very knowledgeable, very quick to respond to calls or questions.Just a pleasure to deal with.’
‘They are very efficient, understand the issue and get to the point very quickly.’
‘Thomas Moran is detailed, creative when needed and very efficient with time management. Highly effective.’
Key clients
Rio Tinto
Pfizer
Deloitte
Century 21
Canada Lands Company
Pattison Food Group
Valley Traffic Systems
Walter Weisstock and Antony Wiesstock
Aquatrans Distributions
Iris Energy Limited
Pt. Ellice Properties
Investors Group Financial Services
Work highlights
- Represented Rio Tinto in relation to environmental tort claims brought by two Indigenous groups involving its hydroelectric facility in northwest British Columbia.
- Represented Valley Traffic as appellate counsel challenging a substantial damages award for defamation and civil conspiracy.
- Represented Iris Energy in a dispute relating to its receivership and bankruptcy proceedings.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott LLP's British Columbia group is equipped to handle commercial litigation matters involving the real estate, natural resources, financial services and tech segments and has experience appearing before all levels of provincial and federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. David Brown steers the practice and specializes in corporate and commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, product liability and insolvency litigation. Angela Crimeni and Jonathan Buysen are additionally noted for their contentious expertise.
Practice head(s):
David Brown
Key clients
Viking Air
Sun Pharma Canada
MS Amlin
Starr Marine Agencies
Concord Pacific Group of Companies
Woodstock Ventures
Veolia Water Technologies
Bennett Jones LLP
The British Columbia disputes practice at Bennett Jones LLP is frequently instructed by clients seeking representation in real estate, pharma, financial and energy disputes. Additional core areas of expertise include multi-province class actions, restructuring and insolvency matters and securities litigation. David Gruber steers the practice group and focuses on corporate and commercial litigation and arbitration. Melanie Teetaert handles energy, commercial and construction litigation and commercial arbitration.
Practice head(s):
David Gruber
Other key lawyers:
Melanie Teetaert
Key clients
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Four Seasons Hotel Limited
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
AXOR Group
Emerald Health Sciences
Boffo Investment Corp
FTI Consulting Canada
Guo Hong
Actra Fraternal Benefit Society
Work highlights
- Engaged by the SEC to obtain a freezing injunction against alleged conspirators in a $1bn pump and dump securities fraud scheme pending a civil trial in the United States.
- Acted for Four Seasons Hotels in defence of claims brought by Cadillac Fairview and related parties concerning the recently closed Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel.
- Acted for PwC after SanLing advised its regulators it was ceasing its operations due to its inability to comply with regulatory orders.
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP's British Columbia practice group handles a range of commercial litigation mandates, including contractual disputes, negligence actions, insolvency litigation, administrative law matters and shareholder disputes. Its client roster regularly features financial institutions, insurance companies and retailers. Vancouver-based litigator Jordanna Cytrynbaum has experience representing clients before all levels of court, administrative tribunals and in arbitration. John M. Picone heads up the national department from the Toronto office.
Practice head(s):
John M. Picone
Other key lawyers:
Jordanna Cytrynbaum
Key clients
Doman Group of Companies
Kelly Petersen
Lee Ingraham
Costco Wholesale Canada
Jean Coutu (PJC)
Intracorp
RBI Holdings
Future Flow Media
Coinsquare and Coinsmart Financial
Dentons
The British Columbia disputes offering at Dentons takes in real estate, agribusiness, public and constitutional law, contractual and insurance disputes, as well as commercial litigation involving the tech, retail, healthcare and financial services sectors. Morgan Camley, who also leads the national agribusiness practice group, steers the department and specializes in commercial litigation and administrative law. Additional key contacts include Emma Irving (class action, personal injury defence and product liability matters); and Morgan Burris (environmental, intellectual property and Aboriginal title disputes). Following Mélanie Power‘s February 2024 promotion to the partnership, Samantha Chang is the key name to note at senior associate level.
Practice head(s):
Morgan Camley
Other key lawyers:
Emma Irving; Morgan Burris; Mélanie Power; Samantha Chang
Key clients
Amazon
Primary Poultry Processors Association of British Columbia
HSBC
Microsoft
Well Health Technologies
Dell Technologies
AIG Insurance Company of Canada
HSBC Securities Canada
CN Rail
Work highlights
- Represented Niantic in an appeal regarding the enforceability of arbitration agreements.
- Defended Microsoft in a class action.