Gavyn B. Backus

Abigail is a partner in our health law and insurance law groups. Abigail is presently a partner in our Health Law group. She has a busy practice working in medical malpractice defense, administrative law and regulatory matters. Abigail has extensive experience working in the field of professional liability, predominantly in the medical field. Abigail has approximately 30 years of experience as a lawyer. Abigail was born in England but moved to Canada as a small child. She grew up in British C...

Jeremy is a Partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group at Watson Goepel LLP. With over 20 years of experience, Jeremy’s diverse practice focuses primarily on insolvency and restructuring, complex commercial disputes, real property litigation, construction litigation, corporate disputes, injunctive relief, and estate matters. Prior to moving to Vancouver Jeremy practiced for eight years in New Zealand, with a particular focus on corporate litigation, professional indemnity ...

Nick Cosulich is a partner practising in our real estate team and business law group. He represents a wide range of clients on matters involving real estate development, acquisitions, dispositions, financing and related transactions. Nick has represented commercial property owners, developers, trusts and lenders in a wide variety of transactions, including purchases, sales, financings, land assemblies, subdivisions, re-zonings, pre-sale marketing programs, ground leases and university trust m...

Lisa handles all aspects of commercial insolvencies, formal and informal restructurings (including proceedings under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act ), along with enforcement and financial services litigation for a wide range of clients. Lisa has been involved in a number of significant insolvency files advising and representing insolvency professionals, challenged companies, lenders, suppliers, directors and officers and other stakeholders. Her s...

Michael D. Shirreff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Michael D., who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas Buchanan, QC, is the Global Head, Infrastructure and Resources at Norton Rose Fulbright. His practice focuses on project development, project finance and M&A with an emphasis on infrastructure, public-private partnerships (PPP), natural resources and power generation. Prior to joining Norton Rose Fulbright, Mr. Buchanan was the co-head of the global infrastructure and project finance group at an international law firm based in New York City. Prior to that, he had built a leading i...

Matthew Swanson is a leading litigation and disputes lawyer in BLG’s Vancouver office. He has extensive experience acting for companies and individuals in critical business and personal disputes. Matthew is known for his strategic approach to challenging cases. He regularly appears as counsel in complex matters and has conducted numerous trials, arbitrations, and appeals. He handles transactional disputes, contract disputes, real estate, and construction disputes, franchise disputes, an...

David Garner is a Partner and a member of the firm’s Business Disputes, Construction + Engineering, Environmental, Health, Insolvency + Restructuring, Insurance and Maritime Practices. Mr. Garner recently completed a six and a half year term as the firm’s Managing Partner. David Garner’s practice is primarily litigation based with a considerable emphasis on alternate dispute resolution solutions including negotiation of settlements, releases and covenants, as well as standst...

Israel provides ongoing advice relating to employers’ statutory and collective agreement obligations. He is an active advocate appearing on behalf of employers before the Labour Relations Board, the Employment Standards Tribunal, the Human Rights Tribunal, arbitration boards and both Provincial and Federal Courts. He practises in multiple jurisdictions across Canada. Israel taught at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Commerce and lectured and published in the area of ...

Darryl Pankratz is a member of our Aviation Practice and contributor to the Aviation Law Blog . He is also a member of our Insurance Practice. His practice is primarily litigation based with a core emphasis on issues relating to the aviation industry. He provides counsel to regional, national and international airlines as well as their insurers. On their behalf, Mr. Pankratz has handled aircraft accidents and incidents involving both passenger and cargo liability claims. He represents and adv...