Harper Grey LLP

Managing Partner: Jonathan Meadows
Number of partners: 26
Number of lawyers: 88
Languages: English

Firm Overview:
Founded in 1907, Harper Grey LLP is a mid-size Vancouver, BC based business and litigation law firm. The firm has a long tradition of excellence, is one of the most well-established law firms in BC and is ranked by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the top ten regional firms in Western Canada. Harper Grey has an exceptional reputation and is committed to delivering the highest quality legal work and counsel — many of its lawyers are recognised among the top practitioners in their areas of expertise by Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada and Lexpert. At Harper Grey, you’ll find 88 lawyers advising across 22 practice areas helping clients navigate complex legal issues by providing transactional and business advice, litigation and dispute resolution services. The firm's size and diversity of practice allows it to represent a broad spectrum of clients including private individuals, large institutional organisations, emerging businesses and mature companies spanning a range of industries. Harper Grey’s global reach is extended through its membership in the TAGLaw legal network, giving its clients access to top regional firms and expertise in jurisdictions around the world.

Main Areas of Practice:

Business Law:
This group advises individuals and international, national and regional corporations and other business entities in a broad range of business and investment areas. Transactional experience includes: business acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, mergers and acquisitions, secured transactions, commercial and residential conveyancing, real estate development, and leasing. Lawyers are passionate about providing counsel, guidance and creative and practical solutions to start-ups, emerging and also mature companies to help them achieve their objectives. Several lawyers are also experienced in the area of wills and estates, serving clients and beneficiaries who may or may not reside in British Columbia.

Commercial Litigation:
This group has significant experience working with large corporations, medium-sized firms and owner-operated companies. Client needs served include: contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, including oppression remedies and derivative actions, securities litigation, real estate litigation, construction litigation, including builders’ liens actions, estate litigation, employment litigation, products liability litigation, enforcement of security, including foreclosures and debenture holders’ actions, and municipal disputes. Chambers Canada recognized Harper Grey as a 'Leading Law Firm' regionally in the area of commercial litigation in 2020.

Environmental Law:
Clients seek our advice on a wide range of environmental issues from contaminated sites to sick building syndrome to cross-border disputes. This group provides a practical approach to the most complex environmental matters, including cost recovery actions, directors’ and officers’ liability, property development and transactions, and environmental insurance coverage issues. The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognized Harper Grey as a leading law firm in the area of environmental law in 2020.

Professional Liability Defence:
For many years Harper Grey has been the recognised leader in the defence of professionals facing liability issues. It acts for doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects and engineers. It also provides administrative law advice for professionals facing disciplinary action. The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognized Harper Grey as a leading law firm in the area of professional liability in 2020.

Construction:
We take a practical approach to disputes arising from the construction industry, enabling effective solutions in matters such as allegations of professional negligence, professional disciplinary matters, contractual disputes, leaking condominium issues, commercial real estate disputes and risk management advice.

Administrative Law:
Public scrutiny over ethical issues for professionals has increased dramatically in recent years. We provide advice and assistance to professionals in their dealings with governance issues, ethical obligations and responsibilities, and represents them before a wider range of regulatory bodies.

Health:
Harper Grey is the leader in civil litigation defence for medical practitioners in British Columbia and has been involved in all leading litigation regarding the standard of medical care, medical products, litigation consent issues and limitation issues. The chair of this group, Guy Brown, QC was named Insurance Law ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best Lawyers in Canada 2020. The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognized Harper Grey as a leading law firm in the area of medical negligence in 2020.

Insurance:
Harper Grey works with insurance companies and their insureds in all areas of insurance law. Members of the group have developed specialised expertise in various areas, such as: professional errors and omissions, commercial and personal general liability, property damage, directors’ and officers’ liability, life and disability insurance, defamation, subrogation, sexual abuse claims, and transportation related issues. Harper Grey managing partner, Jonathan Meadows, was named Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2020. The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognized Harper Grey as a leading law firm in the area of insurance law in 2020. 

Insolvency and Restructuring:
We represent individual and corporate debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, financial institutions and trust companies, receivers, liquidators, and trustees in bankruptcy in a range of insolvency and restructuring matters.

Workplace Law:
We help organisations and individuals resolve employment and human rights issues in a way that minimizes risk to business operations and reputation. Skilled in all aspects of workplace law (litigation, drafting, and advisory services), this group has experience in virtually every kind of issue that can arise in this broad area of legal practice.