Vancouver-based commercial litigation boutique Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel handles contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, real estate litigation, construction litigation and defamation matters. The group is co-led by Greg Allen, who is praised as ‘the type of litigator you want on your side – empathetic, personable and legally rigorous’; Wes McMillan, highlighted as a ‘market leader in real estate development litigation’; and Kaitlyn Meyer, noted for her ‘well-thought-out advice’. Allen focuses on shareholders’ remedies, defamation and municipal and administrative law; McMillan majors on real estate litigation; Meyer handles commercial contracts, real estate, cross border issues and professional negligence matters. Associate John Trueman takes care of employment claims, administrative law matters and appellate work.

Robert Fleming Lawyers lead partner Robbie Fleming, who is lauded as an ‘exceptionally capable lawyer’ and a ‘seasoned professional’, takes care of commercial litigation, jurisdictional disputes, fraud claims and shareholder oppression claims. Also noted is senior associate John Zeljkovich, who has focused his practice on complex commercial matters, creditor’s remedies, fraud litigation, professional negligence claims and shareholders’ remedies. A recent standout matter saw the team represent New Jersey-based conglomerate XTL in a claim against a British Columbia manufacturer to recover funds on a cancelled contract.

The disputes capabilities of the practice at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP encompass commercial and securities litigation, as well as class action defence and arbitration. The practice is co-led by Joe McArthur KC, who specializes in representing mining, infrastructure, utilities, financial services and tech companies in commercial litigation and arbitration; and Robin Reinertson, who is well-versed in class action defence and product liability, consumer protection and competition litigation. Additional key contacts include Sean Boyle, who handles securities class actions, regulatory investigations and proceedings and capital markets litigation; Roy Millen (public and administrative law); Alexandra Luchenko (regulatory compliance, transactional litigation and crisis management); Peter Rubin (contractual disputes, tax appeals, tort claims, shareholder and securities litigation); and Laura Cundari (litigation and arbitration involving the energy, mining, cannabis and infrastructure sectors).

Fasken‘s British Columbia disputes capabilities take in class action defence, administrative and public law matters, corporate and securities litigation, contractual disputes, white collar and competition litigation and arbitration. The team, which is lauded by one client as ‘dedicated and capable’, is frequently instructed by corporate clients in the tech, healthcare, mining and pharma segments. Tracey Cohen KC and Andrew Nathanson KC share leadership of the department. Cohen specializes in class actions, oppression proceedings, derivative actions, pension litigation and professional negligence mandates. Nathanson has notable experience in commercial litigation and white-collar crime matters. Additional key contacts include Geoffrey Cowper KC (commercial law, public law and human rights); Andrew Borrell (class action defence); and ‘legal prodigy’ Gavin Cameron, who has focused his practice on commercial disputes and white-collar criminal investigations. Alexandra Mitretodis departed for an in-house role in October 2024.

McCarthy Tétrault's British Columbia disputes team routinely handles substantial commercial litigation mandates, including disputes involving mining, environmental, Aboriginal and energy matters. A recent highlight saw the group represent Meta in proposed Canadian class actions alleging that the company knowingly designed its social media platforms to expose young people to harmful content. Leadership of the department is shared between Jill Yates and Toronto-based national lead Sunil Kapur. Yates is well-versed in leading major cases for multinational clients in the financial services, healthcare, tech and forestry segments. Additional key litigators include Michael Feder KC (class action defence and arbitration); Aidan Cameron (commercial property and P3 disputes); Alexandra Cocks (contract and fraud claims, real estate disputes, product liability claims); Patrick Williams (arbitrations, class actions and regulatory proceedings); and Una Radoja (commercial, contractual and shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims).

Vancouver-based litigation firm Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson is a strong choice for mining, real estate and commercial contracts disputes. The group is also frequently instructed by clients in the insurance, real estate, aerospace and tech segments. Key contacts include Irwin Nathanson KC and Stephen Schachter KC, who specialize in contractual and property disputes, class actions, hostile takeover bids, professional negligence and securities matters; James MacInnis KC, who majors on contractual disputes, professional negligence mandates, insurance defence and mining claims. Karen Carteri (shareholder and corporate disputes and remedies, property development disputes) and Peter Senkpiel KC (contract and business disputes, securities litigation, shareholder disputes, class actions and defamation) are additional names to note.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's British Columbia practice group handles domestic and international litigation and arbitration involving the energy, construction, real estate, tech and transport sectors. The group’s client roster regularly features government bodies, energy, automotive and mining companies. The department is jointly directed by Robert Deane, whose experience includes mining disputes, construction and infrastructure disputes and intellectual property litigation; and Sarah McEachern, who has particular knowledge of the construction, mining, healthcare and energy segments. Matthew Swanson (corporate and commercial litigation, contractual disputes) and Michelle Maniago (commercial, banking and corporate litigation) are additional key contacts.

Lawson Lundell LLP‘s British Columbia team, which fields lawyers in both Vancouver and Kelowna, handles a range of disputes mandates that includes commercial litigation, class action defence, competition and antitrust litigation, securities litigation and environmental and Indigenous disputes. The group’s expertise extends to administrative, constitutional and public law matters, ADR, insurance litigation and product liability matters. Civil and commercial litigator and public law specialist Laura Bevan steers the practice. Additional key contacts include Craig Ferris KC, who handles matters including trust disputes, pharmaceutical product claims and consumer pricing issues; and Marko Vesely KC, who focuses on class actions, defamation, shareholder disputes, pension litigation and commercial arbitration.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP's British Columbia disputes practice represents local, national and international companies in litigation, arbitration and ADR involving the life sciences, transport, energy, banking and insurance segments. The team has experience appearing before all levels of British Columbia courts, the Supreme Court of Canada and a number of regulatory tribunals. John Landry KC, who focuses on civil ‎and regulatory litigation, and Rebecca Von Rüti, who also co-chairs the national class action practice group, share leadership of the department. Also noted are senior litigation partners David Neave and Kevin Wright. Shea Coulson, who specializes in regulatory compliance matters and litigation, joined the firm from McMillan LLP in April 2023.

Norton Rose Fulbright's disputes capabilities in British Columbia cover commercial litigation and arbitration across a number of sectors, among them financial services, energy, infrastructure, tech and healthcare. Beth Allard steers the practice. Additional names to note include Daniel Bennett KC (commercial, real estate and natural resources disputes); James Goulden KC (commercial and administrative disputes); and Thomas J. Moran (corporate and commercial litigation relating to real estate, forestry and natural resource disputes). Sarah McCalla (forestry issues and real estate disputes) was promoted to the partnership in January 2024.

Stikeman Elliott LLP's British Columbia group is equipped to handle commercial litigation matters involving the real estate, natural resources, financial services and tech segments and has experience appearing before all levels of provincial and federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. David Brown steers the practice and specializes in corporate and commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, product liability and insolvency litigation. Angela Crimeni and Jonathan Buysen are additionally noted for their contentious expertise.

The British Columbia disputes practice at Bennett Jones LLP is frequently instructed by clients seeking representation in real estate, pharma, financial and energy disputes. Additional core areas of expertise include multi-province class actions, restructuring and insolvency matters and securities litigation. David Gruber steers the practice group and focuses on corporate and commercial litigation and arbitration. Melanie Teetaert handles energy, commercial and construction litigation and commercial arbitration.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP's British Columbia practice group handles a range of commercial litigation mandates, including contractual disputes, negligence actions, insolvency litigation, administrative law matters and shareholder disputes. Its client roster regularly features financial institutions, insurance companies and retailers. Vancouver-based litigator Jordanna Cytrynbaum has experience representing clients before all levels of court, administrative tribunals and in arbitration. John M. Picone heads up the national department from the Toronto office.

The British Columbia disputes offering at Dentons takes in real estate, agribusiness, public and constitutional law, contractual and insurance disputes, as well as commercial litigation involving the tech, retail, healthcare and financial services sectors. Morgan Camley, who also leads the national agribusiness practice group, steers the department and specializes in commercial litigation and administrative law. Additional key contacts include Emma Irving (class action, personal injury defence and product liability matters); and Morgan Burris (environmental, intellectual property and Aboriginal title disputes). Following Mélanie Power‘s February 2024 promotion to the partnership, Samantha Chang is the key name to note at senior associate level.