Biography

Lisa is the head of the firm’s Research and Opinions Group. She prepares opinions, pleadings, factums and briefs on a broad range of legal topics. A large number of the opinions and other legal writing she has produced are in relation to what she calls the “5 C’s”: conflicts of laws; constitutional law; contract law; construction of statutes (statutory interpretation); and Crown law.

Lisa provides advice to clients faced with potential litigation and works with the firm’s litigation lawyers, providing academic and strategic support for clients already engaged in the adversarial process. She supports the firm’s corporate and commercial and real estate groups by providing legislative and jurisprudential due diligence in relation to large transactions.

In addition, Lisa carries out legislative drafting and legislative analysis for both government and organizations making submissions to government. She frequently advises clients on legislative interpretation and compliance.

Prior to focusing her practice on research and legal opinions, Lisa practiced for over a decade as a commercial and criminal litigator and has appeared at all levels of Court in Canada. Lisa still appears as counsel in appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Professional Activities

  • Allard School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Conflict of Laws (2016-2018)
  • British Columbia Law Institute, Chair (2016-2020)
  • British Columbia Law Institute, Vice Chair (2014-2016)
  • British Columbia Law Institute, Director and Treasurer (2010-2013)
  • University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, Legal Research and Writing, Lecturer (1989-2010)
  • Member of B.C. delegation to the Uniform Law Conference of Canada (2005-2012)
  • Uniform Law Conference of Canada, Working Group on the federal Interest Act, Chair (2008-2010)
  • B.C. Law Institute’s Committee on Unfair Contracts Relief, Member (2009-2011)
  • Access Justice Pro Bono Clinic, Volunteer (2002 to present)
  • Canadian Bar Association (B.C. Branch) Legislation and Law Reform Committee, Past Chair
  • Canadian Bar Association (B.C. Branch) Legal Research Section, Past Chair
  • British Columbia Courthouse Library Society, Past Director and Secretary (2000-2006)

Recognitions & Rankings

Recognitions & Rankings

  • Appointed Queen's Counsel in 2016
  • President's Citation Award in recognition of extensive work in legislation and law reform on behalf of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch (July 2013)
  • Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: BV Peer Review rated

Experience

Experience

  • Drafted factums for proceedings in provincial Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada on a wide array of commercial and constitutional litigation issues, including private international law, contract law and Charter issues
  • Accepted as an expert in B.C. statute law by the New Zealand Court of Appeal in Marsman, Bleidistel and THK Trustees Limited v. Nijkrake, 2009 NZCA 30
  • Provided statutory due diligence on large commercial transactions
  • Prepared draft legislation for association of professionals for submission to government
  • Represented Teck Cominco Metals. Ltd. on a conflict of laws issue at the Supreme Court of Canada (2009)
  • Represented NIL/TU,O Child and Family Services Society in a constitutional case in the Supreme Court of Canada (2010)
  • Represented the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation in a tax/Crown law case in the Supreme Court of Canada (2019)

News & Publications

News & Publications

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

  • Contract Law Update: Developments of Note, Vancouver, February 21, 2024, Presenter
  • Contract Law Update: Developments of Note, Fairmont Pacific Rim | 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, March 7, 2023
  • Contract Law Update: Developments of Note, Webinar, March 9, 2022, Presenter
  • Lunch and Learn: Annual Contract Law Update, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, March 11, 2020
  • "Annual Review of Contract Law", Alberta South CBA Business Law Section, February 18, 2016, Speaker
  • "Annual Review of Contract Law", Corporate Counsel Association CBABC subsection, January 28, 2016, Speaker
  • "Researching Statutory Interpretation Questions", Vancouver, BC, October 28, 2014, Speaker
  • "Latest Legislative Developments and Case Law Updates", Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC, September 26-27, 2013, Speaker
  • "Managing the Client/Counsel Relationship in Business Transactions", October 15-16, 2012, Speaker
  • Legal Research 2012, April 20, 2012, Course Chair
  • "Legislative Developments and Case Law Update - Latest Important Trends", 5th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC, September 20-21, 2011, Speaker
  • "Pre-negotiation Strategies and Issues – Ethical, Business and Legal Considerations", 4th Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements, Insight Information, Vancouver, BC, September 27-28, 2010, Speaker
  • "Latest Developments in Contract Law", 10th Annual Negotiating & Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC, November 2-3, 2009, Speaker
  • "Legislative and Case Law Update: Developments of Note", 3rd Edition Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements, March 2-3, 2009, Speaker
  • "Researching Foreign Law", Legal Research Course, Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C., December 12, 2008, Speaker
  • “Recent Developments in Contract Law”, Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, Insight Information (2006), Speaker
  • “Research Strategies for Statutory Interpretation Questions” Legal Research Course, Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. (2004), Speaker
  • "Contract Damages for Loss of Opportunity or Chance", Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. (1996), Speaker
  • Termination of Contracts", Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. (1995), Speaker

Assistant Contact

Bar Admissions

  • British Columbia (1989)
  • Northwest Territories (2009)
  • Yukon (2010)
  • Nunavut (2013)

Education

University of British Columbia (B.A., 1984)

University of Sherbrooke (Certificate in Civil Law/Comparative Law, 1986)

University of British Columbia (LL.B., 1987)

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