Harper Grey LLP

General information

FIRM OVERVIEW

Founded in 1907, Harper Grey LLP is a mid-size Vancouver, BC based business and litigation law firm. We have a long tradition of excellence, are one of the most well-established law firms in BC and are ranked by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the top ten regional firms in Western Canada.

Harper Grey has an exceptional reputation. We are committed to delivering the highest quality legal work and counsel and many of our lawyers are recognized among the top practitioners in their areas of expertise by Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada and Lexpert. During our long history, many Harper Grey partners have been appointed justices of the British Columbia Supreme Court and the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

At Harper Grey, you’ll find 62 lawyers advising across 23 practice areas helping clients navigate complex legal issues by providing transactional and business advice, litigation and dispute resolution services. Our size and diversity of practice allows us to represent a broad spectrum of clients including private individuals, large institutional organizations, emerging businesses and mature companies spanning a range of industries. Harper Grey clients have the security of having some of the most adept lawyers in the province working on their behalf. Our clients have trusted Harper Grey with the privilege of representing them in some of the most ground-breaking cases in the country.

Our Lawyers have considerable experience as arbitrators and mediators and as counsel before all levels of British Columbia courts including the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. They also have experience before the Federal Court of Canada and Supreme Court of Canada, as well as the BC and Alberta Securities Commissions.

Harper Grey’s global reach is extended through our membership in the TAGLaw legal network, giving our clients access to top regional firms and expertise in jurisdictions around the world.

COMMUNITY

Harper Grey is committed to making our community a better place to live. This stems from our desire to not only be a good corporate citizen but neighbours, coaches, parents, teachers and leaders engaged in genuinely helping others.

Our lawyers regularly perform pro bono work on behalf of marginalized groups. We provide pro bono counsel for autistic children seeking funded treatment in a case that went to the Supreme Court of Canada, resulting in a number of legislative changes. We have also provided pro bono counsel at the Missing Women’s Commission of Inquiry, representing the interests of aboriginal women. We demonstrate our understanding of the importance of increasing access to justice in BC through our lead sponsorship of Access Pro Bono’s “Free Legal Advice-A-Thon Going Public” events. As well as sponsoring this event, our lawyers donate their time on an ongoing basis in further support of this initiative to provide access to justice for low- and modest-income people.

Giving our time and philanthropy is not limited to high profile matters. In recent years ourr lawyers have provided pro bono counsel to a family seeking coverage for treatments related to their daughter’s disability; taken pro bono cases for families to assist them with property related disputes and human rights matters; done volunteer work with Focus Humanitarian Assistance; and participated in fundraising events for the Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society.

Many of Harper Grey’s fundraising efforts originate at the grass roots level. Our staff have been instrumental in coordinating the raising of funds through an annual firm auction, food drives, clothing drives, supporting jeans day, and various other events.

MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE

Business Law:
The Harper Grey Business Law Group advises individuals and international, national and regional corporations and other business entities in a broad range of business and investment areas. Their transactional experience includes: business acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, secured transactions, commercial and residential conveyancing, real estate development, and leasing. The lawyers in this group bring a wealth of experience and knowledge and are passionate about providing counsel, guidance and creative and practical solutions to start-ups, emerging and also mature companies to help them achieve their objectives. Several lawyers are also experienced in the area of wills and estates, serving clients and beneficiaries who may or may not reside in British Columbia.

Commercial Litigation:
This group has significant experience working with large corporations, medium-sized firms and owner-operated companies. Client needs served include: contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, including oppression remedies and derivative actions, securities litigation, real estate litigation, construction litigation, including builders’ liens actions, estate litigation, employment litigation, products liability litigation, enforcement of security, including foreclosures and debenture holders’ actions, and municipal disputes.

Environmental Law:
Clients seek Harper Grey’s advice on a wide range of environmental issues from contaminated sites to sick building syndrome to cross-border disputes. Harper Grey has senior, experienced counsel who provide a practical approach to the most complex environmental matters, including cost recovery actions, directors’ and officers’ liability, property development and transactions, and environmental insurance coverage issues.

Professional Liability Defence:
Harper Grey has, for many years, been the recognized leader in the defence of professionals facing liability issues. They act for doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects and engineers. They also provide administrative law advice for professionals facing disciplinary action.

Construction Law:
Harper Grey takes a practical approach to disputes arising from the construction industry, enabling effective solutions in matters such as allegations of professional negligence, professional disciplinary matters, contractual disputes, leaking condominium issues, commercial real estate disputes and risk management advice.

Administrative Law:
Public scrutiny over ethical issues for professionals has increased dramatically over the past several years. Harper Grey provides advice and assistance to professionals in their dealings with governance issues, ethical obligations and responsibilities, and represents them before a wider range of regulatory bodies.

Health Law:
Harper Grey is the leader in civil litigation defence for medical practitioners in British Columbia and has been involved in all leading litigation regarding the standard of medical care, medical products, litigation consent issues and limitation issues.

Insurance Law:
Harper Grey works with insurance companies and their insureds in all areas of insurance law. Members of the group have developed specialized expertise in various areas, such as: professional errors and omissions, commercial and personal general liability, property damage, directors’ and officers’ liability, life and disability insurance, defamation, subrogation, sexual abuse claims, and transportation related issues.

Bankruptcy and Insolvency:
Acting for individual and corporate debtors in financial difficulty, Harper Grey has the skill, insight and experience to resolve debt problems. The group also provides advice and representation to secured and unsecured creditors, receivers, liquidators, and trustees in bankruptcy.

PRACTICE AREAS

Aviation Law
Banking & Insolvency Disputes
Business Law
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Condominium Pre-Sale Disputes
Construction & Engineering Law
Criminal Law
Critical Injury
Defamation, Privacy & Media Law
Directors’ & Officers’ Liability
Environmental Regulation & Disputes
Estate Litigation
Family Law
Health Law
Insurance Law
Professional Regulation
Real Estate Law
Securities Regulation & Litigation
White Collar Crime
Wills & Estates
Workplace Law