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 »
We are pleased to announce that Bernard LLP lawyer Peter Swanson has been elected a director of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia. Peter had previously been appointed a Director in 2013 temporarily filling a Board vacancy, and has served as chair of the Owner’s Committee since that time. The Chamber of Shipping is a not-for-profit industry association… more »
Who’s Who Legal Canada has selected Gary Wharton (shipping & maritime), Peter Swanson (shipping & maritime), Tom Hawkins (shipping & maritime) and Nevin Fishman (product liability defence) for inclusion in its 2014 publication. These selections are based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only experienced lawyers who have met independent international research… more »
Bernard LLP partner, Gary Wharton, was successful as counsel in the Federal Court of Appeal in upholding a lower court decision clarifying important limits on the right of sistership arrest under Canadian law. The Federal Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision written by Mr. Justice Nadon, in the case of WESTSHORE TERMINALS LIMITED & OTHERS v. THE SHIP … more »
The Court of Appeal for British Columbia in the case of British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority v. Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, 2014 BCCA 353 upheld the lower Court’s determination that a Worksafe BC order against BC Hydro should be quashed. Peter Swanson was counsel for BC Hydro at both levels of Court. The case turned on the… more »
We are pleased to announce that five Bernard LLP lawyers are listed for 2015 in Best Lawyers International. Four of our lawyers, Gary Wharton, Peter Swanson, Tom Hawkins and David Jones, are listed for their maritime practices, while Nevin Fishman is listed for his medical negligence practice. A schedule of the lawyers, their practice areas and… more »
Peter Swanson was re-elected and David S. Jarrett was elected for the first time to the Board of Directors of the International Sailors’ Society Canada (the “ISSC”). The ISSC is a registered charity that contributes to Canadian seafarer organizations and centres that provide support to merchant seafarers. Peter G. Bernard, Q.C. (retired) stepped down from his board position with the… more »
We are pleased to announce that effective August 14, 2014 Russell Robertson has joined the firm as an associate. Russell brings a unique blend of practice skills to the firm, having clerked at the Federal Court in Ottawa and having practiced as a commercial litigator in Vancouver since December 2010. Russell will continue to build his commercial litigation and insurance… more »
David S. Jarrett recently applied to the British Columbia Provincial Court to have 18 alleged contraventions of the Fisheries Act, R.S.C., 1985, C. F-14 relating to an unlawful deposit of a deleterious substance (wood preservative leeching from a marine structure) in water frequented by fish judicially stayed. The stay granted by the Court ended the prosecution of all charges… more »