Alan M. Ross*

Bio:

Alan Ross is an experienced litigation lawyer focusing on resolving civil disputes. His practice background includes many years of litigation with a mid-sized full-service downtown Vancouver law firm. His practice involves civil disputes of all kinds including:

• commercial and contractual disputes;
• insurance coverage and claims issues;
• professional negligence and discipline cases;
• employment-related claims (including dismissal and non-competition claims);
• claims for defamation; and
• claims for significant personal injury.

Solutions to clients’ problems are achieved by analysis and negotiation or, when necessary, by trial (or arbitration) – Litigation if necessary, but not necessarily litigation. Alan has appeared as counsel before administrative tribunals, all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada. He is experienced, dedicated, thorough and persuasive.

Representative Work:

Alan has a wealth of practice experience. A sample of Alan’s cases* includes:

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW & JUDICIAL REVIEW

• Acting for a professional suspended by his regulatory body, securing judicial quashing of the suspension, full reinstatement and damages: Erickson v. Richmond School District No. 38

BUSINESS LITIGATION

• Acting for a client in the successful defence of a claim for a significant equity interest in a medium-sized private corporation: Sutherland v. D.A. Townley and Associates Ltd.

CIVIL LITIGATION PROCEDURAL ISSUES

• Achieving tactical advantages in hard-fought pre-trial procedural disputes including:
  • Boxer v. Reesor;
  • V.P. v. Linde; and
  • Saunders v. Nelson.

CLAIMS FOR PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE

• Advising on and successfully prosecuting claims for compensation against negligent professionals, including lawyers, doctors, dentists and insurance brokers: Tradelink Distribution Ltd. v. Rand & Fowler Insurance Ltd. 2001 BCSC 136, [2001] B.C.J. No. 110

EMPLOYMENT LAW

• Advising on, prosecuting and defending diverse claims for dismissal from employment.

ESTATE LITIGATION

• Successfully prosecuting a disinherited common law spouse’s claim against the estate: Poirier v. Poirier Estate 60 BCLR (2d) 232, [1991] B.C.J. No. 3292 (C.A.)

PERSONAL INJURY

• Achieving million-dollar plus recoveries in cases involving significant personal injury, and lesser awards in difficult-fact cases: Campbell v. Van Den Broek 2013 BCSC 1754, [2013] B.C.J. No. 2094

PUBLIC LAW (CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS)

• Addressing a constitutional issue re the federal/provincial division of powers: Whitbread v. Walley [1990] 3 S.C.R. 1273, 52 BCLR (2d) 187, [1990] S.C.J. No. 138

*Each case is unique. Past success is not a guarantee of future outcome.

Membership & Professional Affiliations:

• Member, Law Society of British Columbia
• Member, Canadian Bar Association (CBA)
• Member, The Advocates’ Society

Positions:

• Former Chair, Civil Litigation Section, CBA (BC Branch)
• Former President, Vancouver Bar Association

Lectures / Publications / Seminars:

• Past Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education BC (Civil Litigation)

Personal Interests:

Outside his legal practice Alan is a cycling enthusiast and an avid runner. He plays racquet sports of all kinds and he struggles to play music.

Education:

• B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, 1968
• LL.B., University of British Columbia, 1972

Year of Call & Jurisdiction:

1973, British Columbia