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, a member of the Executive Committee from 2004 - 2006, and serves as Chair of the Conflicts and Ethics Committee.

Bar Admissions
British Columbia (1982)

Education
University of Oxford (B.A. (Jurisprudence) 1974, First Class)
University of Oxford (B.C.L., 1975, First Class)

Significant Accomplishments
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


Professional Associations
*Member, Host Committee, International Bar Association Conference, Vancouver, 2010
*Member of the Independence and Self-Governance Committee, Law Society of British Columbia, 2006
*Member of the Ethics Committee, Law Society of British Columbia, 2002 - 2005

Recognition and Ranking
*Lexpert Special Edition 2013/14: Leading Canadian Lawyers in Global Mining
*Lexpert Special Edition 2013/14: Leading Canadian Lawyers in Infrastructure
*Best Lawyers in Canada: Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2015
*Best Lawyers in Canada: recognized for corporate law, mergers & acquisitions and securities law
*Best Lawyers in Canada: Securities Law Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver for 2013
*Lexpert Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: recognized for corporate commercial law
*2014 Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada: recognized for mergers & acquisitions
*Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2015:
most frequently recommended as a Leading Practitioner for corporate commercial law
consistently recommended as a Leading Practitioner for corporate finance & securities law
*Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: AV Peer Review rated

Community Activities
Church Council, Member and Head of Personnel Committee

Seminars/ Presentation
"The Keys to Being an Effective Pension and Benefit Plan Trustee: Trustee Responsibilities and Trustee Protection", 19th Annual Essential Tasks of Pension and Benefit Plan Trustees Conference, Vancouver, BC (2009 - 2014), Speaker

"Highlights of the New BC Code of Professional Conduct", Association of Corporate Counsel BC Chapter, Vancouver, BC (December 12, 2012), Speaker

"Trends", Corporate Governance 2011, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (November 17, 2011), Speaker

"Mergers and Acquisitions", Advanced Securities Law 2010, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (January 29, 2010), Speaker

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

Proposed Changes to the Takeover Regime, Canadian Mining Magazine (Winter 2015)

Essential Tasks of Pension and Benefit Plan Trustees (February 25, 2015), Co-author

Proposed changes to Canadian takeover regime would kill ‘poison pills’ in hostile acquisition attempts, Business in Vancouver (December 16, 2014), Author

Canadian Securities Administrators Issue Proposed Changes to the Takeover Regime (September 25, 2014)

A Canadian Model of Corporate Governance: Insights from Canada's Leading Legal Practitioners (November 20, 2013)

Have Your Say: Ontario Securities Commission Consults on Introducing a “Comply or Explain” Model to Promote Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards (September 3, 2013)

"Comments Sought on Proposed Amendments to National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" (June 11, 2010), Co-author

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Transition Disclosure Update (February 25, 2010)

Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.

North of 60 Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.

Pensions and Employee Benefits Law Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

Lawson Lundell's Pension and Employee Benefits Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting pension and employee benefit plans. We cover a range of topics, including recent case law and changes to relevant provincial and federal legislation.

Privacy & Data Management Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.

Real Estate Law Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

Our Real Estate Law Blog provides brief commentary on current legal trends and developments affecting your business. The topics addressed in Lawson Lundell’s Real Estate Law Blog are of interest to commercial real estate developers, real estate and strata agents, investors, landlords and tenants, as well as a variety of industry groups.

The Business Law Blog

Lawson Lundell LLP

This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.