Karen F. MacDonald

Trademarks, copyrights and other related intellectual property (IP) are now critical to competing in an international market. Procuring, protecting and enforcing IP in a global context are key to every company’s business strategy. As both a lawyer and a registered Canadian trademark agent, Athar Malik is well-placed to meet the IP needs of clients. Whether representing clients in clearing or securing trademarks, drafting IP agreements or advising on copyright and other intellectual prop...

As a member of the Technology and Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Fasken’s Vancouver office, Geoff advises emerging companies and the investors that fund them in connection with early-stage, venture capital, growth equity, private equity and M&A transactions. Focusing on the technology sector, Geoff advises entrepreneurs, start-ups and venture-backed technology companies, from ideation through business organization, capital raising and exit. Geoff provides a broad range of pragm...

Don is a seasoned M&A lawyer, having worked on transactions totaling over three-quarters of a billion dollars of value to date. Don has successfully represented a very large number of business owners over a broad range of industries giving him an incredible depth of experience in M&A transactions. This depth of experience allows Don to be a true champion for our clients, providing sophisticated legal advice, anticipating and avoiding challenges and protecting clients from the pitfalls...

R. Nelson Godfrey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Information Technology Law and Intellectual Property Law. R. Nelson, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Nelson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

In his immigration practice, Darren works with both businesses and individuals to facilitate the entry of people into Canada as temporary and permanent residents. He also assists clients who are already in Canada with permanent residence applications, citizenship applications, and the renewal of their temporary status as workers, students, or visitors. His background in corporate and commercial law helps Darren to understand and anticipate his clients’ business needs when formulating an...

Chris, a Partner in the Business Law Group at Watson Goepel, has been recognized since 2025 Best Lawyers awards for his exceptional work in Trusts and Estates. His extensive practice includes all aspects of estate planning, such as probate and administration applications, wills, powers of attorney, representation agreements, and committee ship applications. Chris is also adept at establishing and managing various types of trusts, including alter ego trusts, joint spousal trusts, and disabilit...

Jeff is the Managing Partner of the firm, and practises primarily in the fields of family law and commercial litigation. He has appeared as counsel in family law cases before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia, and numerous arbitration hearings. His family practice primarily focuses on complex asset division, trusts & maintenance issues as well as the drafting of asset protection agreements. Jeff represents JTI-Macdonald Inc. and R....

Len is a partner in our Vancouver office and is the co-practice group leader of our Tax Law group. Len’s practice focuses on creating tax effective structures for client’s operating Canadian businesses and their succession planning. Len provides similar advice to Canadian businesses that are expanding outside of Canada and non-resident clients who are expanding into Canada. Len also provides tax advice to Canadian pension plans in connection with their acquisitions and divestments...

Gerald A. (Gerry) Cuttler, K.C. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law and Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Gerald A. (Gerry), who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gerald A. (Gerry) is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shane Brown is a partner practising out of the Vancouver office of Thorsteinssons LLP. Shane’s practice focuses on domestic and international tax planning for individuals, trusts, corporations and charities, including: estate planning, corporate reorganizations, divisive reorganizations, business structuring, property acquisitions, entering and exiting the Canadian tax net, and offshore and cross-border structures. Shane also advises non-residents, including persons planning to immigrat...