Jeffrey "Jeff" Merrick

Lana K. L. Li is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Lana K. L., who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lana K. L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrea Akelaitis advises and represents clients on a broad range of environmental law, regulatory and commercial litigation matters in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a partner at Farris LLP and was a founding partner of Letcher Akelaitis LLP. Andrea has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia and is also called to the bar in Alberta. Her practice includes contaminated sites litigation, environmental compliance, permitting, environmental assessments, environmental prosecut...

Neil’s preferred practice is in construction litigation, product liability and professional liability, including professional liability insurance coverage analysis. Called to the Nova Scotia bar in 1986, Neil spent five years in Ontario as a claims examiner with a professional liability insurer before moving to BC in 1992 to assume the position of Deputy Director of Insurance at The Law Society of British Columbia. At this time he acquired his CRM designation in risk management. Neil wa...

As both a lawyer and an engineer, Doug has significant expertise in large infrastructure projects, working on major projects across Canada, and around the world. He practises in the areas of: public-private partnerships construction contracts (negotiation, drafting, and review) shipbuilding contracts power plant and industrial EPC contracts contracts to design or construct any asset Doug is also a frequent author and speaker for various organizations and publications on these areas of law. He...

Brent Olthuis is an experienced litigator with a broad practice. He represents individual and corporate clients in civil and commercial matters and also regularly acts for regulated professions and their member professionals, as well as for other public bodies. He has acted as external counsel to the Auditor General of Canada in respect of the 2015 audit of the Senate and for the Attorney General of British Columbia in constitutional proceedings. He presently acts for the City of Richmond in ...

William Smart, K.C. is a senior litigator who has over 45 years of experience primarily in the areas of criminal, administrative and regulatory law. This includes representing clients under investigation or charged pursuant to various federal and provincial Acts such as the Income Tax Act, Canada Labour Code, Fisheries Act, Customs Act, Excise Act, Workers Compensation Act, Mines Act, Securities Act, Police Act, Gaming Enforcement Act and Elections Act, as well as representing lawyers, teache...

Michael acts for clients in both the public and private sectors, with expertise in the area of education law. In addition to 11 years as a member of Harris’ Education Group, Michael was General Counsel for the BC Public School Employers Association (BCPSEA) and the Vancouver School Board (VSB). He acted as lead negotiator and spokesperson for BCPSEA in bargaining, including during the illegal withdrawal of services in 2005. At VSB he was responsible for education, real estate, and comme...

Mark Pontin is a leading commercial litigator in Vancouver, BC. With a focus on corporate and securities litigation, Mark represents clients in a wide range of shareholder disputes including oppression and dissent proceedings, derivative actions and proxy contests. In addition, Mark has extensive experience in real estate disputes, and matters involving civil fraud. Mark has successfully represented both regional and national companies in commercial disputes.

Rebecca Cleary is a member of the firm’s Construction + Engineering, Insurance and Environmental Practices. Rebecca has an active commercial construction practice. She has assisted owners, trades and consultants with contract disputes, builders’ liens and construction litigation. Rebecca also defends construction professionals including developers, architects, engineers, trades and land surveyors, in a wide variety of error and omission claims.

Rob Lonergan is a recognized environmental law lawyer practicing in Fasken’s Vancouver office. Environmental assessment and environmental, energy and transportation regulation and litigation are Rob’s specialties. He also has experience in Indigenous litigation. He acts principally for energy companies, public utilities and resource oil and gas companies, marine terminal operators, commercial carriers (rail, truck and marine), and mining companies.