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News

July 2024

We are pleased to announce that John J.L. Hunter, K.C. has rejoined Hunter Litigation Chambers as Associate Counsel. One of the founders of the firm, Mr. Hunter practised commercial litigation and public law for forty years before his appointment to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in 2017. In his new capacity, Mr. Hunter will provide support for the firm and its clients on complex trial and appellate matters, including both legal opinions and practical advice. He is also available to the profession as a commercial arbitrator and mediator.

We are delighted to announce that former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown has joined our firm as Associate Counsel. He was formerly counsel in British Columbia and Alberta, and Professor and Associate Dean of Law at the University of Alberta before serving for over 10 years on the federal judiciary in Alberta and Ottawa. Mr. Brown will provide legal counsel and opinions in complex matters of private and public law, while working as a commercial arbitrator (domestic and international) and mediator.

June 2024

Rebecca Robb was a guest instructor at the annual CLE Winning Advocacy Skills Workshop. More information about this three-day workshop can be found here.

May 2024

We extend our warmest congratulations to Shannon Ramsay, K.C., on her appointment as the newest judicial alumna of Hunter Litigation Chambers. We applaud her remarkable achievement and wish her continued success in her career. The announcement is available here.

HLC is delighted to announce its continued recognition as “Highly Recommended” in Benchmark Canada 2024. This acknowledgment highlights the exceptional expertise and dedication of our legal professionals. Congratulations to Shannon Ramsay, K.C.; Randy J. Kaardal, K.C.; William B. Smart, K.C.; and Claire Hunter, K.C. for their recognition as “Litigation Stars”. Congratulations also to Brian Duong and Paul Heisler for their recognition as “Future Stars”.

HLC is proud to announce that Claire Hunter, K.C., is nominated as Canada, British Columbia, Top 100 Women- Canada Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Bench Mark Canada 2024.

Claire Hunter, K.C. and Maryanna Dinh were successful on an application for summary trial to dismiss a misfeasance in public office claim against three individual defendants who acted as disciplinary hearing panel members at the former BC College of Teachers. The reasons for judgment are available here.

April 2024

Aubin Calvert and Devin Eeg appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of the intervener Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia in the joint appeals Auer v. Auer and TransAlta Generation Partnership v. His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of Alberta.

Maryanna Dinh and Brian Duong were counsel for Victoria Teleport Corporation in successfully appealing a decision made by the Chief Gold Commissioner to cancel three mineral claims held by the company. The decision can be found here.

Brian Duong was co-counsel (with Dennis James Aitken) for the City of Surrey in successfully opposing an application by the Surrey Police Union to be added as a party or intervenor to the City’s petition proceeding. The City’s petition challenges the Province’s direction and legislation to transition the City's police of jurisdiction from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to the Surrey Police Service. The decision can be found here.

Brian Duong co-chaired a continuing legal education session for the Advocates’ Society, “Advocacy Hour: Working with Financial Statements” on March 28, 2024. An overview and agenda of the program can be found here.

March 2024

Claire Hunter, K.C. and Aubin Calvert successfully applied to stay proceedings in British Columbia in favour of an alternative forum, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, in a dispute involving the development and sale of supplemental type certificates for Twin Otter aircraft. The reasons for judgment are available here.

Hunter Litigation Chambers, maintains its prominent position in the Lexpert Canada Directory 2024, securing the Most Frequently Recommended status for outstanding achievements in Litigation-Corporate Commercial. Randy Kaardal, K.C. and Claire Hunter, K.C. have been individually acknowledged by Canadian Legal Lexpert for their expertise in Employment Law, Corporate Commercial Litigation, and Public Regulatory.

Aubin Calvert has been awarded the Adam Albright Adjunct Award for 2024. The award recognizes teaching excellence by an adjunct professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, where Aubin has taught conflict of laws since 2021. Recipients are selected by students to honour adjuncts who have had a significant impact on their legal education.

February 2024

Ryan Androsoff and Devin Eeg successfully applied to cancel a certificate of pending litigation (or CPL) that was registered over three commercial properties, on the basis that the plaintiff’s claim failed to disclose an interest in land sufficient to meet the criteria of the Land Title Act. The reasons for judgment are available here.

Brian Duong and articling student Austen Erhardt represented Hanif Ratanshi, Hanifs Foods Ltd. and Hanif’s International Foods Ltd. in successfully obtaining a pre-trial asset freezing order (also known as a Mareva injunction) against the defendants Guruji Foods Inc. and their principal. The reasons for judgment can be found here. This was the first reported decision for Austen Erhardt, who made significant submissions to the Court in the course of the three day hearing. We congratulate him on a great start to his career.

Brian Duong co-chaired the “Winter Summit: The Big Chill Ottawa”, a three day conference put on by The Advocates’ Society from February 1-3, 2024 for mid-career advocates. An overview and agenda of the program can be found here.

January 2024

Hunter Litigation has been recognized once again in Chambers Canada 2024 for its work in Litigation: General Commercial (BC) and Agribusiness: Forestry (Nationwide - Canada).

Lawyers Ranked:

General Commercial Litigation (BC) : Randal Kaardal, K.C.
Administrative & Public Law (BC) : Claire Hunter, K.C.
Crime (Nationwide) : Bill Smart, K.C.
Transportation: Rail & Road ( Nationwide) : Monique Evans

We are pleased to welcome Brian Duong as our newest shareholder in the firm, effective January 1, 2024. Brian has built a significant practice at the firm, with particular expertise in civil litigation and administrative law. His extensive experience, international exposure, and recognition in The Best Lawyers® in Canada make him a valuable addition. Here's to achieving new heights together.

Claire Hunter, K.C. and Chantelle van Wiltenburg (with drafting assistance from Paul Jon and articled student Elspeth Adhihetty) represented an Indigenous child protection agency and successfully petitioned to quash a decision of the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Below, the Tribunal had found that the agency discriminated against a parent and awarded $150,000 in compensation. The Court set aside the Tribunal’s decision, holding that the Tribunal’s process was unfair and that the Tribunal committed legal errors. The Court remitted the case to the Tribunal and directed that the agency be afforded an opportunity to apply to have the human rights complaint summarily dismissed.

Hunter Litigation Chambers is pleased and proud to announce the promotion of four Counsel to the firm: Aubin Calvert, Monique Evans, and Nicole Gilewicz, and Julia Roos. These appointments recognize the important contribution each of the new Counsel have made to the firm’s success, and going forward, their increased involvement in decisions concerning the operation and growth of the firm. Please join us in congratulating each of them on this significant and well-deserved achievement!