Heather E Maconachie
Shareholder
Heather is a civil litigator. She has a particular focus on media law, and has a wide range of experience in complex commercial disputes.
Heather acts for various media, advising journalists pre-publication, and upholding their freedom of expression rights under the Charter. She has been involved in significant defamation cases and has appeared twice in the Supreme Court of Canada representing the media.
Heather’s media work has led to lifting sealing orders or publication bans made in cases with significant public interest, such as in the terrorism Air India case, the multiple murderer, Robert Pickton, case, and the Basi and Virk corruption case.
She has been involved in many complex commercial disputes and has learned how to deal with them in a cost efficient manner. This often means using her advocacy skills in alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation, to avoid costly litigation.
When she’s not working, she enjoys tennis, pickleball and downhill skiing.
- Called to the British Columbia Bar, 1994
- Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 1993
- Honours Bachelor of Journalism, Carleton University, 1989
- Member, Ad Idem/Media Defence Lawyers National Association
The Best Lawyers in Canada – defamation and media law
Martindale – BV Distinguished rating
Lexpert – recognized as an “up and coming” media lawyer in her early career
Ding v Prevost, a Division of Volvo Group Canada Inc., 2022 BCSC 215
Nazerali v Mitchell, 2016 BCSC 810
Gichuru v Pallai, 2013 BCCA 60
Ref. Re Criminal Code of Canada (Constitutional Question re Polygamy Laws), 2010 BCSC 1820
WIC Radio v Simpson, 2008 SCC 40
Named Person v Vancouver Sun, 2007 SCC 43
R. v Basi, 2006 BCSC 2084
Swagger Construction v ING Insurance Co. of Canada, 2005 BCSC 1269
R. v Pickton, 2005 BCSC 836
R. v Pilarinos and Clark, 2001 BCSC 1332
Rigaux v B.C. (Commission of Inquiry into the death of Vaudreuil, Gove Inquiry) (1998), 155 D.L.R. (4th) 716B