Background and experience

I have been practicing law for over 26 years. I have practiced in a large firm, a mid sized firm, a small firm and on my own. I have gained a wide range of experience with many types of civil litigation, as both counsel and as a mediator.

I have significant experience with disputes involving complex multiparty litigation, insurance (casualty, property, life and disability), professional liability, construction, transportation, personal injury and motor vehicle accidents.

I am a qualified Family Law Mediator, as described by the Law Society of British Columbia.

Over the course of many mediations, I have discovered that I have an ability to handle and resolve conflicts where there is a high emotional content.

Professional Memberships and Activities

I am a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, the British Columbia Mediator Roster Society (Civil), the Canadian Bar Association and the Vancouver Bar Association. I have been a frequent lecturer to various industry and professional organizations. Finally, I am an active volunteer with the British Columbia Lawyers' Assistance Program as well as serving the community in a number of other ways.

Education

I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.A. (Hons.) in 1978 and from the University of British Columbia with an LL.B. in 1981.

I received training in conflict resolution and mediation at the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2004.

I completed further training to become qualified as a Family Law Mediator in 2007 and 2008.

Personal

I was born in Oliver, B.C. in 1957 but have resided in and around Vancouver all my life. I have two sons, 20 and 23. My passions include fine food, cooking, power tools, film, music in general and playing guitar in my band in particular.