Firm News

Buck Hughes joins the Firm

October 13th, 2022

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 »

Bernard LLP successfully defends Catherwood Towing in the BCSC

September 23rd, 2022

Bernard LLP was successful in defending Catherwood Towing in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in a dispute over an indemnity provision. This litigation arose from the grounding of two barges while under tow by Catherwood Towing. The supplier of the barges claimed damages in an amount exceeding $800,000. Bernard LLP defended Catherwood Towing against this claim by arguing to… more »

Peter Swanson speaks at the 2022 IIC Annual Conference

September 15th, 2022

Peter Swanson recently spoke at the 2022 Insolvency Institute of Canada conference held in Kelowna, B.C. from September 8-11.   Peter was on a four person panel entitled: “The Intertidal Zone of Insolvency – Where the CCAA meets Admiralty Law.”  Peter was the sole maritime lawyer in a sea of insolvency professionals and provided some background regarding the arrest and… more »

Peter Swanson Speaks at Recent VMAA/CEITAC Seminar

September 6th, 2022

Peter Swanson recently spoke at an on-line seminar hosted jointly by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CEITAC), the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association (VMAA) and the CIETAC North America Arbitration Center entitled “The Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements and the Impact of Sanctions on International Arbitration.”   Peter spoke on the question of enforcement of agreements to arbitration under Canadian… more »

Jaden Lau and Nicholas Wilson Join the Firm

August 30th, 2022

The partners of Bernard LLP are delighted to announce the recent addition of two new lawyers to the Firm.   Jaden Lau has joined our solicitor’s practice and will work closely with our senior solicitors to provide high quality and timely advice to our business law clients, including those working within the local marine sector.  Nicholas Wilson has joined our litigation… more »

Jason Hicks Presents at Arctic’s Maritime Conference

June 8th, 2022

Jason Hicks recently presented at the Nautical Institute’s Maritime Arctic conference, held in Victoria, British Columbia on May 12 – 13, 2022.  Entitled “Of Russians, Rocks and Rescues: Some Legal and Public Policy Considerations on Canadian Arctic Maritime Transportation”, Jason’s presentation applied legal perspectives to  several current topics and was well received by the conference attendees. more »

Dave Jarrett and Harry Ormiston Succeed in Obtaining Summary Judgment in the Federal Court for Unpaid Freight

February 16th, 2021

United Yacht Transport LLC v. Blue Horizon Corporation, 2020 FC 1067: This case dealt with a claim for unpaid freight and fees owing to the plaintiff, a yacht transporter, for transporting the defendant yacht the Knight Ship from Florida to British Columbia.  Following arrival in British Columbia the yacht was arrested for the unpaid amounts.  David Jarrett and Harry more »

Lorna A. Pawluk, Q.C. Appointed to the Board of Directors of WorkSafeBC

February 8th, 2021

We are pleased to announce that Lorna Pawluk, who has practiced in association with Bernard LLP since 2006, was appointed on February 4, 2021 by the provincial government to the Board of Directors of WorkSafeBC.   Lorna will be an extremely valuable addition to the Board bringing her extensive experience dealing with occupational health and safety and workplace safety matters… more »