Owen Bird Appoints Jocelyn Bellerud and Paul Brackstone as Managing Directors

April 05, 2022 - Owen Bird

The shareholders of Owen Bird Law Corporation are pleased to announce the appointment of Jocelyn Bellerud and Paul Brackstone to Owen Bird’s Executive Committee, to serve as managing directors, effective April 1, 2022.

Paul is an experienced litigator with almost 20 years of experience representing clients on real estate, corporate and commercial disputes, appearing before all levels of court in British Columbia and at the Supreme Court of Canada.  Paul joined Owen Bird in 2005 after articling at Owen Bird.  Paul graduated from law school with the prestigious Law Society Gold Medal for the highest academic standing…

Thank you Chris and Harvey!

April 05, 2022 - Owen Bird

Owen Bird Law Corporation would like to announce that Chris Weafer and Harvey Delaney are stepping down as managing directors of the firm in 2022. Chris and Harvey have served together as leaders of Owen Bird for 22 years. Chris and Harvey’s leadership and dedication to the firm have contributed to the firm’s growth and success over the last two decades.  Chris will continue to serve on the executive committee for the remainder of 2022 and both Chris and Harvey will continue to practice at Owen Bird and serve as trusted advisors to Owen Bird’s valued clients….

Owen Bird Wishes to Introduce a New Chair and Vice-Chair to its DICI Committee

February 25, 2022 - Owen Bird

The Diversity, Inclusion and Community Involvement Committee is thrilled to introduce you to its new Chair, Heather Maconachie, and Vice-Chair, Georgia Barnard!

Heather joined DICI last year while Georgia has been a member since DICI’s inception and both are keen to continue championing for diversity and inclusion at Owen Bird in their new roles.

Heather’s wealth of experience in media law upholding journalists’ freedom of expression rights goes hand-in-hand with her new role as DICI Chair as she has the skills to advocate for and uplift the voices of folks who come from varying backgrounds and bring…

Brian Cheng Interviews Bencher Gurminder Sandhu on FACL BC Podcast

February 22, 2022 - Owen Bird

Brian Cheng, a member of the board of directors of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) of B.C., is guest host of a mini-series of FACL’s podcast episodes and will be interviewing select senior members of the bar.

In his first podcast episode, Brian Cheng interviews Gurminder Sandhu, partner at Hamilton Duncan and recently elected Bencher of the LSBC. Gurminder recounts his experience as a senior litigator with over 21 years of legal practice. As a husband and father of three children, Gurminder shares his insight on developing a new practice area, maintaining work-life balance and…

Defamation in BC Webinar with Dan Coles

February 15, 2022 - Owen Bird

On March 29, 2022, Dan Coles will be presenting a free webinar on Defamation in BC through Peoples Law School.

When someone posts a hurtful comment about another person online, is this defamation? If it happens to you, what are your rights and how do you protect them? And what happens if you’re the one accused of defamation? Can you be made to pay money or sent to jail? Dan will answer common questions about defamation, including what it is and what you can do about it.

Peoples Law School is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the…

MORE FLEXIBILITY WHEN MAKING YOUR WILL

October 05, 2021 - Owen Bird

Significant changes to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act and the Supreme Court Civil Rules will now allow the BC Courts to accept a will that is created, recorded, transmitted or stored on an electronic device (such as a computer, tablet or phone) and signed electronically, and for which there is no printed copy provided the will can be reproduced in a visible form.

The amendments also permanently adopt changes brought on by Covid-19 which allow for the remote witnessing of wills through the use of video technology.

This is a significant change in the law around Will making and…

Owen Bird Welcomes John Kim

September 01, 2021 - Owen Bird

Owen Bird is pleased to announce that John Kim has joined our firm as the newest member of our Litigation Group.

John represents clients in complex commercial, insurance, construction, design professional, subrogated and product liability disputes. John has developed specialized expertise in fire related claims and litigation. He has represented clients in landmark cases in this area and teaches fire and arson investigators at accredited courses in British Columbia.

In his litigation practice, John acts as BC counsel for several industrial product manufacturers. John is often retained in construction disputes and acts for design professionals and other professionals including accountants…

Estate Dispute Awards $1.4 million to BC SPCA

August 27, 2021 - Owen Bird

A recent decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court is a good reminder that Wills should be regularly reviewed by their makers to be sure they reflect his or her current wishes; and if not, a new Will or codicil should be prepared and executed as quickly as possible.

In a decision handed down last week, Justice MacNaughton held that a Vancouver woman’s estate had to be distributed pursuant to her 2013 Will, and not according to a handwritten note she made at some later date and left with the Will in a lockbox in her home.

The 2013 Will…

OBLC Participating in Access Pro Bono’s 2021 Advice-A-Thon

August 19, 2021 - Owen Bird

The Diversity, Inclusion and Community Involvement Committee at Owen Bird is pleased to announce entry of our team in the 2021 virtual advice-a-thon hosted by Access Pro Bono!

Pro Bono Going Public 2021 with Access Pro Bono (September 13 – 24, 2021) provides one-hour free summary legal advice appointments to low and modest-income British Columbians to support access to justice across the province.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit our communities back in 2020, the need for access to legal support and services has never been greater.   Access Pro Bono reports a 30% increase in use of their free legal services…