British Columbia

Firm overview

Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamer is a Vancouver-based boutique litigation firm that specializes in corporate and commercial litigation, alternate dispute resolution and strategic advice.

Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamer is known for dynamism, ingenuity and common sense, which, when matched by the wealth of the collective experience of our lawyers, results in timely, pragmatic solutions.

The firm’s clients range from entrepreneurs to major Canadian and US-based corporations. Our work frequently involves large, complex or high-profile disputes, and we routinely manage intricate, multi-party litigation and document-intensive cases.

Our lawyers have represented clients before all levels of court in Canada, including in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

As a dispute resolution boutique, we consider all available options in our goal to achieve a favourable settlement. As such, we are highly skilled in the art of negotiation and strategic positioning. Our expertise also extends to mediations and arbitrations.

The firm began in 1993 as Shapray Cramer LLP, when Howard Shapray, QC, for many years the head of the litigation department of one of Vancouver's leading international law firms, and Brad Cramer, who also enjoyed a distinguished career in the same firm, established their innovative and focused litigation boutique. Top-notch litigators Francis Lamer and Stephen Fitterman joined in 1997 and 1999. In 2010, Abbas Sabur was hired away from one of Canada’s leading multidisciplinary firms. Sandra Foweraker and Lorne Kotler joined the firm in 2019, both from other highly-respected litigation boutiques in Vancouver.

Shapray Cramer LLP formally became Shapray Cramer Fitterman Lamer LLP in July 2013.

Updated March 2021

Firm overview

Firm overview

A Tradition of Excellence

Farris is a leading Canadian law firm with offices in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria, B.C. Our full-service firm represents some of the largest public and private institutions and corporations in the province, offering versatile and innovative approaches for over 100 years. Farris has been consistently rated one of Vancouver’s leading corporate and litigation law firms.

• 15 Farris partners ranked in Benchmark Litigation Canada.
• 29 Farris partners ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory.
• 2 Farris partner ranked in The Lexpert®/American Lawyers Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.
• 14 Farris partners in 13 years listed as Lexpert® “Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40.”

Farris provides timely, creative and practical representation backed by tremendous local knowledge and experience. Since the firm was established in 1903 it has been involved in many of the province’s leading cases. Today its broad and dynamic litigation practice not only retains its traditional high profile but continues to lead the development of the law in newer areas such as social media, public-private partnerships, and alternative dispute resolution. Farris counsel are consistently recognized as leaders in their field. This extends not only to its senior counsel but also to its deep roster of other litigation partners who are recognized as “stars” and “future stars” in their own right.

Farris’ success has only one true measure: the success of the clients that it serves, and to that end, Farris litigators are driven by a tradition of doing the very best that can be done to serve their clients’ interests, on any time frame for which the clients’ situation calls. This is a high performance law firm serving a diverse client base ranging from individuals to some of the largest public institutions and private corporations in British Columbia. It balances a strong regional and national presence with an expanding international practice that includes U.S., European, and Asia-Pacific based Clients.

Farris’ litigation group has significant and extensive experience in all areas of litigation and the firm’s lawyers appear regularly in all BC courts, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada. They also regularly appear in commercial and labour arbitrations as well as before a wide range of administrative tribunals including the BC Securities Commission, the BC Utilities Commission and many others. In addition, they advise on cross-border litigation, conduct a thriving international trade practice, and on occasion act for clients in other provincial superior courts.

Farris lawyers have helped to shape the legal profession in British Columbia and beyond. They regularly publish and teach on matters of advocacy, civil procedure and arbitration practice as well as on matters specifically related to the subject areas in which they practice. Their cases have set precedents followed by future generations in BC and elsewhere.

Firm overview

Founded in Vancouver in 1979, Whitelaw Twining started as a small, boutique law firm with three partners. Since the beginning, we’ve pushed beyond standard litigation to find progressive, creative solutions for our clients.

Culture: Driven, progressive, creativewe don’t settle for how things have always been done. We’re doing away with traditional law firm hierarchies, choosing collaboration over competition and balance over burnout. From support staff to senior partners, we work side-by-side, sharing successes as a team.

Approach: We work closely with every client to determine their needs and find the most efficient and effective resolution. We think outside the box, finding creative solutions that improve cycle times, and we share updates every step along the way. With an eye on data and analytics, we are continually improving our processes to give you the best service possible.

Expertise: When it comes to litigation, we don’t do one-size-fits allwe are industry leaders in 27 areas of law. We have a deep understanding of what makes each sector unique, allowing us to specialize our services and achieve the best results possible.   

Offices: We are headquartered in downtown Vancouver, BC with locations in Surrey, Victoria, and Calgary, AB. Our spaces are designed to be open, collaborative and inspiringand we all share the view.

Last updated March 2020