On April 15, 2023, Tom Beasley chaired the Indigenous Maritime Archaeology Conference (IMAC), at the Joe Mathias Centre on the Squamish First Nation in North Vancouver. This was the first Conference in North America devoted solely to indigenous maritime archaeology topics. The Conference featured 12 speakers on maritime archaeology in the Pacific Northwest and Ontario, environmental change over time and… more »
Peter Swanson was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Shipping of BC. The Chamber is a not for profit society that has been the public voice of the marine industry on Canada’s West Coast since 1923. The Chamber highlights the importance and impact of shipping, and works to ensure that policies are being followed… more »
Tom Hawkins has been reappointed and Peter Swanson has been newly appointed as adjunct professors of law at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. Tom and Peter are co-teaching the Maritime Law course to 2nd and 3rd year law students. This is the first time the Maritime Law course has been… more »
Tom Beasley gave a presentation to the Archaeology Department at SFU on January 19, 2023 entitled the History, Evolution and Future of Underwater Archaeology in Canada. The SFU presentation was in part to start a discussion at SFU and beyond, on the creation of: a graduate program in maritime archaeology at SFU; and a Canadian Institute on Maritime Archaeology, virtual… more »
Tom Hawkins recently participated on a panel at the Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters Fall Conference 2022. The panel discussion considered issues on the changing environment of P&I claims, in particular the concerns for brokers and underwriters in placing appropriate coverage related to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, and the likelihood of increasing claims costs going forward. As… more »
Bernard LLP is named by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine in its second annual list of “Canada’s Best Law Firms” in the field of transportation law. This achievement distinguishes Bernard LLP as one of 15 firms recognized nationally, and the only transportation law boutique firm to be recognized in Vancouver. The selection of Bernard LLP was based… more »
On November 16, Tom Beasley was onboarded in Ottawa as a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. This appointment is in recognition of Tom’s leadership in maritime archaeology, artificial reefs, maritime heritage, shipwreck discovery and preservation, scuba diving safety, marine conservation, and maritime museums in BC over the last 40 years. https://rcgs.org/about/fellows/… more »
On November 3, Tom Beasley presented a paper Administrative Delay: Blencoe 25 years later – Systemic Delays and Recommendations for Change, to the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC’s (CLE) Human Rights Conference. Tom was co-counsel for the BC Human Rights Commission at the Supreme Court of Canada in Blencoe, where the SCC narrowly allowed a human… more »
The partners of Bernard LLP are delighted to announce the recent addition of a new lawyer to the Firm. Buck Hughes has joined our litigation team to focus on maritime, employment and personal injury law, while also providing assistance to our business law group. Buck was called to the BC Bar in 2016. Buck brings high quality skills and experience… more »