John Kim 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 BC.
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 and insurance agents.
Michelle is an experienced wills, estates, trusts and corporate lawyer helping clients plan, build, and protect their legacies.
Michelle works with families and business owners across generations to navigate the often sensitive and complex field of estate and incapacity planning, estate administration, and family business succession planning. She works with clients to develop individualized estate plans that ensure her clients’ affairs are in order and that appropriate tax planning is in place to ease both the financial and emotional burden when a loved one passes.
Michelle also works with executors, trustees and beneficiaries on obtaining representation grants, facilitating the orderly and tax efficient administration of an estate, and advising on estate and trust compliance matters.
In her corporate practice, Michelle works with private business owners and family enterprises to enable them to grow their business with the confidence and security of knowing that they have the legal advice and support they need behind them. Michelle has extensive experience advising on a wide variety of corporate and commercial issues, including business reorganization and corporate transactions.
Taahaa has a broad litigation practice, which includes insurance defence, subrogation, insurance coverage matters, debt recovery, professional negligence, construction, and product liability matters.
Taahaa has represented clients in the BC Supreme Court and BC Provincial Court, where he pairs his skill in written and oral advocacy with a passion for alternative dispute resolution.
Taahaa completed his Juris Doctor at Thompson Rivers University Law, where he was awarded the Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Prize in Contract Law. He also received Dean’s Course Prizes in Contract Law, and Legislation, Administration, and Policy, whilst placing in the top 10% of students in his first year.
Outside of work, Taahaa is an avid reader, is overly passionate about football, and is interested in fashion and menswear.
Laura works primarily in the area of litigation with a focus on labour and employment disputes. She is an effective and diligent advocate for her clients, appearing on matters before the Provincial and Supreme Court of British Columbia, Human Rights Tribunal and Employment Standards Tribunal. Prior to joining Owen Bird as an associate, Laura worked as an articling student and summer student with the firm.
Laura completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Victoria. While in law school, Laura participated in an international exchange to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and completed a clinical term with the Law Centre in Victoria, BC. She volunteers with Access Pro Bono’s Civil Chambers and Residential Tenancy Programs.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys cooking, travelling, and being in the outdoors, especially swimming and hiking.
Lily has a broad litigation practice with a focus in bankruptcy and insolvency and commercial litigation. She regularly advocates for clients in court and has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia, including in trials, lengthy contested applications, and appeals.
Lily is fluent in and advises clients in Mandarin.
Lily is a director of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society, a contributing editor of The Advocate magazine, and a member of the Young Advocates Standing Committee of The Advocates’ Society cross-appointed to the Diversity and Inclusion Standing Committee.
David Moriarty is a member of our Litigation Group. His primary focus is on general commercial litigation and insurance defence.
David was called to the bar in 2011. Since then, he has obtained a broad array of experience in litigation. This includes practicing in the areas of class actions, insurance defence, strata property, construction, landlord–tenant, property damage, personal injury, and Aboriginal law.
In British Columbia, David has appeared before the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal. He is also a member of the Law Society of Alberta. And he appeared as counsel in the first Aboriginal law case to be heard by the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island.
In addition to his practice, David is an active member of the Canadian Bar Association. He was previously a member of the executive for the class action section of the CBA BC. He has also given presentations for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia.
Outside of the office David enjoys being involved in politics, playing sports (particularly hockey, volleyball, and skiing), and, most importantly, spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Patrick assists clients in a broad range of matters at Owen Bird. As a solicitor, Patrick’s practice involves assisting clients with commercial transactions as well as real estate and development matters. As a litigator and administrative lawyer, Patrick has represented clients at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and before the BC Utilities Commission.
Prior to completing his articles with Owen Bird, Patrick worked with a local technology company in assisting hundreds of North American and international law firms with their adoption of cloud-based practice management software.
In law school, Patrick served as an executive member of Domus Legis, served as a Student Advocate representing students charged with academic offences before administrative tribunals, and served as Associate Editor and Advertising Manager of the Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies. Currently, Patrick serves on the Board of Directors of the Parkgate Community Services Society.
When not in the office, Patrick enjoys cooking, stand-up comedy, and sports, including being an avid supporter of the Toronto Raptors.
Brian Cheng is a member of our Litigation Group with a focus on commercial litigation and insurance defence.
After graduating from law school in Seattle, Brian was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2011 and remained in Seattle to practice and gain experience in a wide range of areas. He returned to Vancouver in 2014 to establish his long-term practice closer to family. While remaining involved in his practice, Brian completed his Master of Laws at UBC, where he was top of his class in many courses. He then secured articles and was an associate in Downtown Vancouver with a leading insurance litigation boutique, where he focused on insurance law and civil litigation.
Brian has experience in various practice areas, including insurance, construction, landlord–tenant, corporate/shareholder disputes, professional negligence, property damage, and personal injury. He has represented property developers, corporations, telecommunication companies, government agencies, non-profit societies, and insurance companies.
Brian has appeared in the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal in British Columbia. In Washington, Brian has appeared in matters before the district court, superior court, and the Court of Appeals. Previously, as a law student, Brian summered at the King County Superior Court in Seattle and “externed” at the Washington State Court of Appeals, and he was an Assistant Editor of the UBC Law Review during his LL.M. studies.
In addition to his practice, Brian is also a Trial Supervising Lawyer through UBC’s Law Students’ Legal Advice Program, where he supports students on criminal defence trials, and he regularly volunteers with Access Pro Bono in civil litigation matters. Through the Canadian Bar Association, Brian has given presentations to lawyers on topics such as aviation law and American civil procedure. Brian is also a contributing editor of the British Columbia Civil Trial Handbook, published by the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.
Brian seeks to resolve legal disputes efficiently. Sometimes, that means obtaining results for his clients through alternative dispute resolution measures like mediation, but when necessary, Brian will apply his courtroom experience to seek a resolution in court.
Brian’s personal interests include outdoor pursuits such as snowboarding, skiing, biking, and hiking. He also volunteers as a swiftwater rescue technician for South Fraser Search and Rescue and is a qualified search and rescue manager for the Province of British Columbia.
Sameer practices broadly in litigation at Owen Bird, with a primary focus in insurance defence, subrogated claims, and coverage matters. Sameer has experience in various practice areas, including insurance defence and coverage, construction, professional negligence, property damage, product liability, personal injury, foreclosures, among other areas. He has had the opportunity to represent and work closely with clients of all sorts, including insurance companies, large international corporations, property developers, government agencies, small businesses, and non-profit societies.
Sameer has appeared in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on several hundred court applications. Though he is no stranger to a courtroom, Sameer approaches litigation pragmatically and seeks resolutions to achieve efficient and timely results for his clients.
Sameer has a background in business and economics which allows him to practice law with not only a legal perspective, but with a business and strategic mindset as well.
When not in the office, Sameer enjoys playing and watching sports, particularly basketball, baseball, and golf.
