A staple of the Vancouver market, Harper Grey elicits prestige owing to its rich history and earns plaudits based on its strategy for the future; the firm’s litigation bench is stocked top-to-bottom with talent ranging from senior statesmen to up-and-comers, all of whom elicit praise from peers and appreciation from clients. “Harper Grey has this nice mix of CMPA practice and commercial work,” testifies a peer. “Especially with Chris Rusnak and Mike Hewitt – they have such depth there. A client extols, “I have worked extensively with lawyers from Harper Grey over my 25 years of practice. They consistently deliver the highest quality specialized legal work, which is why they have been the go-to BC law firm for us for so very many years.” Another client offers a fulsome and glowing accolade: “Presently, we actively utilize their services for various litigation files, which serves as a tangible testament to our enduring satisfaction with the quality of their representation. The ongoing decision to select this firm is predicated upon several critical criteria, chief among them being their demonstrated competence in matters relevant to our industry. Furthermore, their deep understanding of our business intricacies and their ability to navigate complex engineering-related litigation are pivotal factors in our selection process. Moreover, the firm's track record of delivering favorable outcomes, their proactive approach to communication, and their commitment to aligning their strategies with our business objectives solidified our confidence in their capabilities.”
Harper Grey is known throughout the province (and, in certain circles, nationwide) for a prized insurance and medical/health capacity. “They are a great defense firm for both property damage and bodily injury losses and also provide meaningful coverage opinions,” confirms one insurance client. One local insurance-focused peer regards the firm as “our sister firm,” and notes, “We see them on a ton of files, particularly Nigel Trevethan, Jonathan Meadows, Kim Jakeman and David Pilley.” However, the firm also houses practitioners in the construction and engineering area, environmental, commercial litigation, insolvency and securities. “Harper Grey is more aggressive in their growth! They brought in Rose Keith and some other great people.” Indeed, Harper Grey houses several dyed-in-the-wool trial lawyers. One peer crows, “If you have a drop-the-gloves, you’ve-gotta-do-it, big-stakes case, it has to be Michael Hewitt – he’s a real litigator. Compared to him, I feel like I never get into court.” Hewitt is an all-purpose litigator who represents both individuals and entities in a variety of commercial and professional liability cases. In the securities specialty, senior partner Rod Anderson is said to “remain very active still, because people need him, man! If your butt is on the line in the securities area, ‘Hot Rod’ is your life preserver.” One contemporary opines, “Rod presents as this rough-and-tumble, chippy hockey goalie type, and he relishes that, but believe me, underneath all that is one smart dude.” Despite Anderson’s continued role, it is noted that much of the practice is transitioning to Owais Ahmed, who is called “Rod’s protégé but also terrific in his own right.”
Lara Zee is cheered by a client for her “deep knowledge and extensive experience in administrative law and professional regulation specifically.” This client goes on to note, “She is lovely to deal with and is always fair-minded and practical.” Harper Grey also boasts client fans among the “next generation” of its ranks, with future stars
Aaron Atkinson and Mandeep Gill making their debut in this edition. “Aaron is so intelligent and always manages to grasp the key issues of any claim,” enthuses one client on Atkinson’s behalf. “I can count on him to properly explain his assessment and recommendations. He points out the risks and the strengths of the claim and will work hard to achieve a beneficial result. He is measured and fair but can be tough when called to be. He can be counted on to practice common sense on a file, which is not always the case with some lawyers.” A client of Gill’s cheers, “Mandeep has broad knowledge and experience in the area of health law. She has acted in a variety and significant number of matters including regulatory (complaints to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC), hospital complaints and hospital privileging issues, and medical malpractice civil litigation, with increasing complexity as she progressed through her career. She is practical and responsive, and appreciated by her clients (physicians and the CMPA) for her knowledge and professionalism.
