Farris provides a comprehensive and diverse array of litigation services that ranges from commercial litigation, securities, family law and administrative law to labor and employment. While recognized as “a classic Vancouver firm,” Farris is noted by peers as being “well positioned because of the big group of younger partners that are coming up and complementing the more senior people that are Farris ‘lifers.’” One peer notes, “Farris is obviously not a national firm but. in this city, they are almost of a national-size bench – top-flight firm.” Another peer declares, “Farris historically been very strong in Vancouver for decades, and I see them broadening up a lot more and taking on a lot of high-net-worth family law cases that involve the transfer of wealth. They have always done a bit of this work but now they seem to be really doubling down on it.”
Ludmila Herbst is unanimously championed by peers, not only for her litigation prowess but also for her role as “really the cultural leader at Farris right now, who has put so much brains and energy into the evolution of the team.” A client champions Herbst as “very responsive and detail-oriented,” and goes on to testify, “She has a vast knowledge of the Utilities Commission Act and electric utility regulation. As our lead external counsel on regulatory filings, she provides key advice on regulatory strategy and prepares arguments in defense/support of our applications. She is a trusted legal advisor to our company.” Herbst acts for Canadian defendants in a commercial dispute in which the plaintiff seeks to enforce in British Columbia a $4.2 million US judgment obtained in oppression proceedings in Washington State in the US.
Robert Anderson and Nicholas Hooge are acting for one of the defendants in a national class action being pursued in the BC Supreme Court regarding website reservation practices on several prominent hotel booking platforms. The representative plaintiff claims that client Reservations.com, and the other defendants, have violated consumer protection legislation regarding “fragmented pricing” practices in BC and a number of other Canadian provinces.
Mike Wagner and Kevin Smith have emerged as two of the firm’s most prominent “next-generation” players, both individually and as team members attending to a diverse range of their own novel matters. Two recent examples illustrate the firm’s “sweet spot” of high-end family disputes that intersect with business-interest elements. A peer ventures, “I have a lot of time for Kevin Smith, he’s really, really good. He’s very smart and capable guy, and think he might be the future [at Farris.]” Smith has found favor with clients as well. One offers a glowing and fulsome review: “As lead Counsel Kevin Smith has an impressive ability to effectively distill complex contextual matters and legal argumentation in writing and then communicate them in court. Kevin communicates legal arguments on bad faith, improper purpose and procedural fairness in this precedent setting case at an extremely high level both in court and to his clients, while managing risk through his thorough knowledge of the law and court procedure. Kevin embodies that all-too-rare combination of legal acumen, integrity and genuine care for the people he represents.”
Rebecca Morse attends to a practice that balances estates litigation, construction and insolvency. “She is really great,” extols a peer. “She really brings a solid work ethic and a pleasant demeanor.” Marylee Davies, who makes her debut as a litigation star this edition, is praised for her acumen in the labor and employment area. A client confirms, “Marylee communicates well and has really taken the time to understand me and my business.” Yun Li-Reilly, whose multi-pronged practice further typifies the commercial/family law intersection Farris is being increasingly sought out for, has also gained considerable traction. “I think she’s quite smart and has a lot of ‘upside’ to take that practice as far as she wants,” asserts a peer.
