Janet De Vita

Janet De Vita* is Co-Managing Partner at Watson Goepel. She practices in Personal Injury, Insurance and Estate Litigation areas, helping people find clarity and support when dealing with painful and complex circumstances.

As the Personal Injury Group leader, she handles and oversees a wide variety of accident claims such as slip and falls, brokers’ negligence, recreational accidents, and numerous other claims resulting from neglectful or wrongful acts.

As part of the Estate Litigation legal team, Janet represents people who are affected by unfair inheritances and where assets are in dispute.

As part of the Insurance Group, Janet represents people affected by brokers who are negligent in providing insurance coverages to their clients.

Janet represents her clients every step of the way, until the matter resolves completely. She has appeared before the Provincial Court of British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Supreme Court Chambers, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal, on a variety of matters. She has also helped clients successfully resolve their cases through negotiation and mediation.

Janet has acted as a mentor to female lawyers within the firm and through the Canadian Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Forum. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and Trial Lawyers Association of BC.

On a personal note, she was born, raised, and remains living with her family in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. When not at work, she is often seen taking her teenagers to hockey and gymnastics, going to cheap Tuesday night movies with her husband, and walking her frenchie, Carlii.

Education

• LL.B., University of Victoria, 2003
• B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2000

Bar

• Alberta, 2024
• British Columbia, 2004

Work Highlights

• Acted on behalf of a victim of a wrongful act committed by a nightclub’s bouncer, successfully securing a $700,000 settlement for her client.

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Member, Law Society of Alberta
• Member, Law Society of British Columbia
• Member, Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, Canadian Bar Association
• Member, Vancouver Bar Association
• Volunteer Lawyer, Access Pro Bono
• Mentor, CBA Women Lawyers Forum
• Member, Burnaby Board of Trade