Profile
“Litigation is an economically and emotionally challenging exercise. When a dispute arises in either the commercial or personal arena it is vital to ensure that the initial steps taken combine both a strategic and practical approach. “
Jeremy is a Partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group at Watson Goepel LLP. With over 20 years of experience, Jeremy’s diverse practice focuses primarily on insolvency and restructuring, complex commercial disputes, real property litigation, construction litigation, corporate disputes, injunctive relief, and estate matters.
Prior to moving to Vancouver Jeremy practiced for eight years in New Zealand, with a particular focus on corporate litigation, professional indemnity and liability claims, construction, and real property disputes. Jeremy has appeared at both the trial and appellate levels in New Zealand, British Columbia, and Alberta, and also has experience in the areas of arbitration and mediation.
Jeremy is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys taking his young son fishing any chance he gets.
Education
LLB, Victoria University, New Zealand, 1996
BA in Political Science, Victoria University, New Zealand, 1995
Certificate of Qualification, National Committee of Accreditation, Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2006
Bar
British Columbia, 2006
New Zealand, 1997
Work Highlights
Insolvency and Restructuring
Acting for insolvency professionals in proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Companies Creditor Arrangement Act, and related legislation.
All Canadian Investment Corporation (Re), 2020 BCSC 1683
Counsel for the Trustee:
- Army & Navy Stores Inc.
- Kamloops Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd.
- Craft Collective Beerworks
Defending claims advanced for:
- profits derived ‘Ponzi’ schemes;
- voidable preference/transaction under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and related legislation; and
- statutory trusts, and
- Administrator appointed under the Property Act.
Commercial litigation
Prosecuting and defending shareholder/partnership disputes including oppression claims and derivative actions.
Zynik Capital Corporation v. Faris, 2007 BCSC 527
Claims relating to the enforceability of limitation of liability/waiver clauses.
Claims relating to the enforceability of guarantees.
Dass v. Rumball, 2015 BCSC 343
Defence of defamation claims and pursuit of special costs awards for successful defence.
Casses v. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2015 BCSC 2150
Casses v. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2016 BCSC 949.
Disputes between shareholders concerning the disposition of sale proceeds.
Real estate
Claims relating to collapsed real estate deals including:
- Claims for specific performance and damages.
Malek v. Tanbakookar 2012 BCSC 1742
- Release/return of Deposits.
- Issues arising out of rights of first refusal.
Alim Holdings Ltd. v. Tom Howe Holdings Ltd., 2016 BCCA 84
AD General Partner Inc. v. Gill, 2017 BCSC 1099
Acting for commercial landlords and tenants in disputes including claims:
- for recovery of rent;
- radius clause;
- rent reviews;
- distraint; and
- relief from forfeiture.
Removal of charges from title.
Prosecuting compensation claims under the Expropriation Act.
Schiebel v. Hope 2014 BCSC 949.
Injunctive relief
Securing injunctive relief to ensure continuity of transportation services facing labour and other related blockades.
Securing Mareva and other protective relief in employee dishonesty claims, fraud and other related cases.
African Mixing Technologies (PTY) Limited v. Canamix Processing Systems Ltd., 2014 BCSC 2130
Applications seeking to restrain the release of shares from escrow.
Timmins Gold Corp v. Thomson 2007 BCSC 1615
Estate litigation
Claims for and against estates seeking variation of wills.
Eastman v. Eastman 2016 BCSC 1728
Negotiating variations to testamentary dispositions under the Wills Variation Act and the Wills, Estate, and Succession Act.
Disciplinary investigations and proceedings
Investigations and prosecutions by regulatory organizations including:
- Real Estate Council of British Columbia;
- British Columbia Securities Commission/Alberta Securities Commission;
- Investment Industry Regulatory Organisation of Canada;
- Institute of Chartered Accountants;
- College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia;
- College of Veterinarians of British Columbia, and;
- Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia.
Publications and Presentations
- Author, The “Common Law Condominium:” A Historical Anomaly With Present-Day Implications to Strata Wind-Ups., LexisNexis Canada, B.C. Real Estate Law Guide Newsletter, June 19, 2023.
- Presenter, “Bankruptcy & Insolvency Issues in Family Law,” Canadian Bar Association, Family Law subsection, February 24, 2021.
- Quoted, “Legal Notes: Failed real estate closings and understanding lawyer-as-agent authority,” Daily Commercial News, September 16, 2019.
- Author, “I want out of the deal: The importance of seeking legal advice prior to closing,” Watson Goepel LLP Blog, July 24. 2019.
- Author, “It’s not really mine, it belongs to my “Trust”,” Watson Goepel LLP Blog, February 20. 2019.
- Author, “Land Owner Transparency Act White Paper, ” Watson Goepel LLP Blog, June 25, 2018.
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Director, Canadian Australian New Zealand Business Association (CANZBA).
- Member, Canadian Bar Association.
- Member, United Rugby Club.
Recognition
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2024 edition for Corporate and Commercial Litigation.
* Practicing through a Professional Law Corporation.
