Bernard LLP associate counsel, Lorna Pawluk, was appointed the honorary title of Queen’s counsel, or QC, today by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton. Recipients of the honour of the QC designation, according to the Attorney General: “… have enriched the justice system with their contributions to the practice of law. They have demonstrated professional… more »
The partners are pleased to welcome Mark Gill to the firm as our newest associate. Mark was called to the Bar of British Columbia in May 2016, after completing his articles at a regional firm in downtown Vancouver. Mark will practice with our Business Law Group will advise companies on general corporate matters including incorporation, reorganization, corporate governance and major… more »
In a 2-1 majority decision, the BC Court of Appeal upheld the trial judgment in a case in which Tom Hawkins and Megan Nicholls successfully defended a significant bodily injury claim on the Plaintiff’s lack of credibility. The majority of the Court of Appeal in Zajaczkowski v. Grauer, 2016 BCCA 48 confirmed the findings of the trial judge that… more »
We are pleased to advise that Tom Hawkins has been appointed acting President of the Pacific Regional Advisory Council on Oil Spill Response. The Regional Advisory Council provides advice to the Minister of Transport in respect to oil spill prevention and response issues on the Pacific coast of Canada.… more »
Peter Swanson sat as a judge in the recent Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition held in San Francisco on March 3-5, 2016. The Competition has law students from a number of prominent U.S. law schools present a mock legal issue as if they were before the U.S. Supreme Court. This years problem addressed the question whether punitive… more »
Bernard LLP lawyers, Peter Swanson and Michael Soltynski, won gold and silver team trophies, respectively, at the recent Mel Patterson-Delich-Emard Memorial Pool Tournament held in San Francisco on March 4 following the traditional Phil Berns Memorial West Coast Pacific Admiralty Bar Post-Holiday event. Peter Swanson and his team mate, Dino Rosso, won the tournament, defeating Michael Soltynski and Tim… more »
The Partners of Bernard LLP are delighted to announce that David Jarrett has been elevated from an Associate to Partner of the firm, effective January 1, 2016. David has been with the firm since 2010 and practices with our Admiralty and Maritime, Insurance and Litigation groups. David has provided exceptional service to the firm’s maritime and other clients and… more »
Joanna Dawson has been elected VP, Western of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Canada. WISTA is a worldwide networking organization for women at the management level in the maritime industry. WISTA facilitates the exchange of contacts, information, and experiences among its members; promotes and facilitates the education of its members; and provides liaison with related organizations worldwide. WISTA… more »
Bernard LLP lawyers Peter Swanson and Megan Nicholls were successful in obtaining judgment in the Federal Court on behalf of a Canadian bunker supplier in the context of the OW Bunker bankruptcy: Canpotex Shipping Services Limited v. Marine Petrobulk Ltd., 2015 FC 1108. Justice Russell of the Federal Court delivered a lengthy and detailed set of Reasons rejecting arguments that … more »
Bernard LLP Lawyer, Tom Beasley, has been appointed as the Public Representative on the Registration Committee for the College of Optometrists of British Columbia. His appointment was made at the September 21, 2015 meeting of the Board of the College. As Public Representative, Tom will be part of the process that assures the public and other stakeholders that… more »