Lawyers

Vera Syrma Associate

Vera joined Bernard LLP as an Associate in October 2023 following her call to the bar.  Her practice is focused on litigation and maritime work, dealing with all manner of legal problems encountered by our clients.  She will be working closely with other lawyers in the firm providing valuable support, as well as handling matters directly for our clients.

Prior to the completion of her Certificate of Qualification in Law from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, Vera obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in European Politics from the University of Leeds in England, pursued postgraduate studies at KU Leuven, Oxford University, and graduated with her law degree from the University of Law in Bristol, England.

Vera articled in the Vancouver office of an international law firm and comes to the practice of law with a great deal of practical experience.   She previously worked as a paralegal for a high-profile review of the National Health Services in Bristol and as a paralegal for a respected Victoria-based insurance defence firm on Vancouver Island.  She grew up in one of the largest port cities on the Black Sea and her family is actively involved in the international shipping industry, hence her passion for maritime law.  Vera has lived and studied in Russia, Cyprus, England, Belgium and Canada.  During her studies, she obtained specific experience in maritime and admiralty law in India, being involved in the arrest of ships, court-ordered sales of those ships, and litigation over the proceeds of sale.

Vera is fluent in Russian.

Professional and Other Affiliations

• Called to the Bar of British Columbia, 2023
• Law Society of British Columbia, Member
• Canadian Bar Association, Member
• Canadian Bar Association, Maritime Law Section
• Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners, Member

Other Interests

Vera enjoys skiing, live music, travel and sailing in the Gulf Islands with her family.

Areas of Practice

• Litigation
• Admiralty and Maritime