Gavyn B. Backus

Jay Sujir is a Partner in Farris’ Mining and Securities practice groups and has nearly 30 years experience acting for mining and other natural resources companies. He was called to the BC Bar in 1986 after obtaining his LLB from the University of Victoria. He obtained his BA (Economics & Philosophy) in 1981, also from the University of Victoria.

Andrew is an experienced commercial litigator who has provided candid and effective advice to clients of all sizes for more than twenty years. He has achieved a high rate of success in both trial and appellate decisions. Andrew is closely involved in all the matters he accepts and has a 91% overall success rate in more than 100 reported decisions, with an 86% success rate in trials and a 92% success rate on appeals. He has achieved a similar success rate for summary judgments and petitions he...

Andrew has been providing legal advice to the insurance industry and self-insured corporations for more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in multi-party litigation, including construction disputes; catastrophic bodily injury claims; subrogation of property loss claims; and coverage disputes, including defending coverage opinions in court. He has also handled claims relating to class actions, professional liability and directors’ and officers’ liability. Andrew is a freque...

Valerie is the Chair of the firm’s Technology Group and the Social Impact and Sustainable Business Group. Val’s practice is transactional (M&A, private equity/venture capital and corporate finance) and advisory including corporate governance including advising boards and special committees. Val is the former Managing Partner of the Firm. Val has been lead counsel on a number of large and mid-market transactions focused on private equity and venture capital financings, mergers ...

Morgyn Chandler is the Managing Partner of Hammerco Lawyers LLP, with offices in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. Morgyn has over 12 years of experience in personal injury, with a focus on sexual assault and abuse litigation. She has gained a reputation as a forceful advocate for her clients; achieving successful resolution based on persuasive and astute legal strategies. Morgyn believes that establishing and maintaining open, honest, and ongoing communication with her clients is critical t...

Rod Talaifar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law and Securities Law. Rod, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rod is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Real estate has been instrumental in making Vancouver the burgeoning world city it is today, and developers have been instrumental in building the very foundations of where we live, work, come together and enjoy life. Sarah is pleased to be a part of these contributions by representing clients in the commercial real estate sector. Sarah admires the dedication and pride our clients put into their work and our community. Sarah provides strategic legal advice based on which clients can make time...

Donya is a corporate commercial lawyer and a shareholder of the firm. She joined the firm in 2014 and became a shareholder in 2021. Donya’s practice focuses on acquisition transactions with a focus on indigenous equity ownership and indigenous partnerships with industry. Donya is also the Alberta lead for the Indigenous Practice Group in the firm. Donya’s corporate commercial practice includes advising on business acquisitions, commercial arrangements and financing arrangements. S...

Colin has practiced labour, employment and human rights law since his call to the British Columbia bar in 1986. He is ranked by his peers as one of the leading management side labour and employment lawyers in British Columbia. The majority of Colin’s practice involves acting for universities, special purpose teaching universities, colleges and institutes in British Columbia’s post-secondary and university sectors. He also advises and represents employers in a wide variety of priva...

Gary Ott is an experienced corporate/commercial lawyer practicing in Vancouver. He is a regional Co-Leader of the Firm’s Private M&A group. Gary provides clients with strategic, practical and cost-effective advice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, reorganizations, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, debt and equity financings and general business law. He has significant experience working with clients in the technology, forestry, retail and energy service...