John’s practice has substantial transaction-based and project-based components. It also embraces ongoing advisory work to business clients ranging from large corporations to family businesses to fiduciaries. John has also had significant experience in directing major litigation for clients.
John advises clients who operate in a range of industries, including mining, bulk terminal operations, forestry, transportation, and in the financial institution, private investment and energy sectors. In addition, John has advised the Government of British Columbia on Securities Law reform, introduction of ESOP legislation and other matters, and has been involved in privatization and P3 projects.
After studying law at the University of Oxford, John taught law for six years before joining Lawson Lundell in 1981. John was the firm's Managing Partner from 2007 - 2009.
Recognition and Ranking
- Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: AV Peer Review rated
- Lexpert Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: recognized for corporate commercial, mergers & acquisitions law
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory:
- most frequently recognized as a Leading Practitioner for: corporate commercial and mergers & acquisitions law
- consistently recognized as a Leading Practitioner for: corporate finance & securities law
- Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for corporate (finance), mergers & acquisitions and securities law
Professional Activities
- John has acted as a member of committees of the Law Society of British Columbia.
- John acts and has acted as a director and/or officer of a number of foundations and corporations.
Community Activities
- Church Council, Member and Head of Personnel Committee
Bar Admissions
- British Columbia (1982)
Education
- University of Oxford (B.C.L., 1975, First Class)
- University of Oxford (B.A., (Jurisprudence) 1974, First Class)
Experience
Selected experience includes:
- Extensive experience with income funds including leading the largest IPO in British Columbia
- Acting for over 15 years for British Columbia’s largest bulk terminal
- Representing a local transportation authority in a P3 project for the construction of a rapid transit line at a cost of $1.7 billion
- Advising a coal company on the development, financing and acquisition of new mines
- Acting on the sale of a Canadian company operating hearing aid clinics in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia
- Counsel to the special committee of the board of a forest products company in relation to the recapitalization of its $1.2 billion debt
News / Publications
John has written numerous articles, chaired and participated in numerous seminars and conferences and presented papers on a diverse range of topics. These include:
- income funds
- B.C. securities law reform
- governance and fiduciary issues
- liabilities of directors of insolvent corporations
- socially responsible investing
- various trustee issues
Governance Challenges for Income Trusts (December 9, 2005)
Recent Corporate Scandals – Should Benefit Plans Care? (February 20, 2003)
Is it permissible for trustees of an employee-benefit plan to practise “ethical investment”? Ethical Investment (July 5, 2001)
Ethical Investment (February 21, 2001)
Conferences
"Mergers and Acquisitions", Advanced Securities Law 2010, Continuing Legal Education Society, Vancouver, BC (January, 29, 2010), Speaker
"The Keys to Being an Effective Pension and Benefit Plan Trustee: Trustee Responsibilities and Trustee Protection", 16th Annual Essential Tasks of Pension and Benefit Plan Trustees, Vancouver, BC (January 27, 2010), Speaker
"The Keys to Being an Effective Pension and Benefit Plan Trustee", 15th Annual Essential Tasks of Pensions and Benefit Plan Trustees, Pacific Business & Law Institute, Vancouver, BC (February 24th, 2009), Speaker
