We are pleased to announce that effective September 14, 2015 Michael Soltynski has joined the firm as an associate. Michael brings a broad range of legal and insurance experience to the firm, having been called to the Bar in South Africa and having previously worked as a legal claims handler at an International Group P&I Club and as an insurance… more »
After much reflection, James has decided to leave the practice of law to pursue a new vocation in church leadership. James will be part of a team serving the people of Trinity Central, a Christian church in downtown Vancouver. He can be reached by email at james@trinitycentral.org. We wish James and his family all the best.… more »
Gary Wharton and David Jarrett were featured in the June 2015 issue of BarTalk, the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch’s magazine, following their recent presentations to the CBA’s Maritime Law section meeting. Gary provided a case comment on Ehler Marine & Industrial Service Co. v. M/V Pacific Yellowfin (Ship), 2015 FC 324 and David led a discussion… more »
Partner Peter Swanson recently moderated a panel discussion at the XIX International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA) held in Hong Kong from May 11-15, 2015. The session was entitled “Contemporary Shipping Problems” and included discussions on the recent issues in the Mediterranean regarding irregular migration by sea to Europe, the possibility of banning ransom payments to pirates, and the… more »
David S. Jarrett was elected as the Honorary Solicitor for the Boating BC Association (“Boating BC”). Boating BC has been the voice of recreational boating in BC since 1957, working with all levels of government and other stakeholders to grow and enhance the boating experience. Boating BC is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors from a… more »
We are pleased to announce that Tom Hawkins was recently appointed to the Pacific Regional Advisory Council on Oil Spill Response by the Minister of Transport. Regional Advisory Councils, established under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, are advisory bodies that identify and make recommendations on policy issues affecting oil spill preparedness and response. One of the principle mandates is… more »
Tom Beasley has been appointed as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the BC Law Institute’s study on the Employment Standards Act (ESA). BCLI conducts scholarly research and analysis for law reform on specific areas. The ESA Project is funded in part by the Law Foundation of BC. The BCLI research is conducted by BCLI staff who get… more »
Bernard LLP lawyer Tom Beasley and Dr. David Worling, a Registered Psychologist and BC’s leading Asperger’s psychologist, are co-presenting a paper on May 8, 2015 at the Employment Law CLE on “Supporting Employees with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)”, which will review: clinical characteristics associated with ASD along with the unique set of employment characteristics that can impact workplace… more »
Peter Swanson was interviewed and quoted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in their news item entitled “Challenges abound in retrieving NTCL barge adrift near Russia” posted on March 13, 2015. Peter was asked about salvage rights that might exist for safe retrieval of a barge by a salvor. The posting can be found at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/challenges-abound-in-retrieving-ntcl-barge-adrift-near-russia-1.2993717. … more »
Bernard LLP lawyer Tom Beasley and Dr. Jennifer Newman, a workplace registered psychologist who has a weekly presentation on CBC Radio, will present a seminar on “Creating a Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplace” on March 20, 2015 to a group of Chief Executive Officers at their annual retreat in Baja, Mexico.… more »