Health Law

Health law is a complicated, increasingly complex area of practice that is constantly changing.

Health law is a complicated, increasingly complex area of practice that is constantly changing. Our experience in all areas of health care in BC is unique. It is that depth of experience that has cultivated the unique insights, perspectives and skills that set us apart.

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Health Law Services

Members of our practice group are at the leading edge of developments in the field of health law. These developments include:

  • Claims resulting from medical treatment and care.
  • Allegations of breach of fiduciary duty between doctor and patient.
  • Advice regarding legislative and regulatory changes that may affect medical practice, such as the Health Professions Act and the Health Care Costs Recovery Act.
  • Advice in response to threats from patients.
  • Advice regarding the release of medical records in family law cases.




  • Preparation when a physician is a defendant or witness in a criminal matter.
  • Coroners' Inquests or other types of inquiries.
  • Proceedings before professional administration bodies such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and hospital administration boards.
  • Proceedings by the Medical Services Commission.

Practice Group Partners

Aaron D. Atkinson Partner
William S. Clark* Partner
Cameron B. Elder* Partner
Mandeep K. Gill Partner
Kimberly J. Jakeman, KC* Partner
Scott J. Marcinkow* Partner
Jonathan D. Meadows* Managing Partner
Joel A. Morris* Partner
David Pilley Partner
Raj Samtani* Partner
W. Sean Taylor Partner
Abigail Turner* Partner
Jennifer Woznesensky Partner
Kim J. Yee Partner
Lara C. Zee Partner
All practice group members arrow icon
Harper Grey recognized as "Most Frequently Recommended" in the area of Medical Negligence by Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, 2017-2024
Harper Grey recognized as a "Leading Firm" nationally in the area of Healthcare by Chambers Canada®, 2017-2024
Harper Grey recognized as National Medical Defense / Health Law firm of the Year, 2016
Harper Grey shortlisted for National Medical Defense / Health Law firm of the Year, 2016 - 2024

Commentaries

“The lawyers are dedicated to their clients, thoughtful and insightful.”

Chambers Canada® 2024

“All of the lawyers with whom I’ve worked have had the ability to get to the core commercial and legal issues and express them succinctly.”

Chambers Canada® 2024

“Lawyers at the firm are always well prepared.”

Chambers Canada® 2024

“Harper Grey is a high-quality law firm, with regard to both the legal ability and the personal integrity and skills of its lawyers.”

Chambers Canada® 2024

Our clients shared their views with Chambers including “They have an excellent team of highly skills and knowledgeable professionals”, “The team have been doing this work for many years as a skilled group of advocates and they have deep knowledge of the practice area”, and “Harper Grey has outstanding practitioners who are very talented. They provide top service and are quick to respond.”

Chambers Canada® 2023

“acts as business counsel to a range of clients including medical device and technology companies.”

Chambers Canada® 2023

“Harper Grey is highly regarded for its work on behalf of physicians, surgeons and other health specialists in British Columbia … and also represent medical clients in litigation in the Yukon.” Chambers also noted that our “health law and professional regulation groups assist with both civil litigation and professional regulation issues and our lawyers are also heavily involved with regard to end of life issues”

Chambers Canada® 2023

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Select Cases

Fetus negligence action against a physician

Determining for the first time in British Columbia whether a fetus can bring a negligence action against a physician and whether it can bring a claim for failure to obtain informed consent.

Breast implant product liability

A Supreme Court of Canada matter in a breast implant product liability action which considered a manufacturer’s duty to warn consumers and the application of the “learned intermediary” doctrine.

Medical malpractice claim

A trial and appeal dealing with a medical malpractice claim involving performance of an additional procedure not contemplated in advance of surgery.

Application of the modified objective test to causation

A Supreme Court of Canada case which considered the application of the modified objective test to causation in the context of informed consent claims.

Standard of review applicable to professional disciplinary bodies

A trial and appeal which considered the standard of review applicable to professional disciplinary bodies in a case involving a physician charged with infamous conduct following a sexual relationship with a patient.

Doctor-patient confidentiality limits

A Supreme Court of Canada matter which considered the limits of doctor-patient confidentiality in circumstances of danger to the public.

Defendants entitled to benefits of services provided through the social safety net

A Supreme Court of Canada matter which held that defendants are entitled to the benefits of services provided through the social safety net with an appropriate allowance for the contingency of such programs changing or ending.

Trial and appeal in an obstetrical negligence case

A trial and appeal in an obstetrical negligence case which considered the correct test to apply in determining the liability of a defendant physician, involving principles related to non-pecuniary loss and the upper limits of recovery.

Supreme Court of Canada decision

A decision by the Supreme Court of Canada which determined the circumstances in which compliance with standard medical practice will defeat a claim of negligence.

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The Latest

Kim Jakeman, KC shortlisted as Canadian Health Law/Medical Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Kim Jakeman, KC shortlisted as Canadian Health Law/Medical Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024 Kim Jakeman, KC shortlisted as Canadian Health Law/Medical Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted as Canadian Health Law/Medical Firm of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted as Canadian Health Law/Medical Firm of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards
Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards
Rachel Wood joins Harper Grey as an Associate
Rachel Wood joins Harper Grey as an Associate Rachel Wood joins Harper Grey as an Associate
Harper Grey Health Law Group recognized as “Most Frequently Recommended” by 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Harper Grey Health Law Group recognized as “Most Frequently Recommended” by 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes Harper Grey as a leading law firm in 6 practice areas in Vancouver
2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes Harper Grey as a leading law firm in 6 practice areas in Vancouver
22 Harper Grey lawyers recognized as “Leading Practitioners” by Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2024
22 Harper Grey lawyers recognized as “Leading Practitioners” by Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2024
Cameron Elder and Nina Dauvergne author, “Working with Treating Physicians” for TLABC Medical Legal Conference
Cameron Elder and Nina Dauvergne author, “Working with Treating Physicians” for TLABC Medical Legal Conference Cameron Elder and Nina Dauvergne author, “Working with Treating Physicians” for TLABC Medical Legal Conference Cameron Elder and Nina Dauvergne author, “Working with Treating Physicians” for TLABC Medical Legal Conference
Scott Marcinkow recognized as Lexology Legal Influencer
Scott Marcinkow recognized as Lexology Legal Influencer Scott Marcinkow recognized as Lexology Legal Influencer
Harper Grey ranked as a Leading Firm in the area of Healthcare: Contentious by Chambers Canada 2024
Harper Grey ranked as a Leading Firm in the area of Healthcare: Contentious by Chambers Canada 2024 Harper Grey ranked as a Leading Firm in the area of Healthcare: Contentious by Chambers Canada 2024
11 Harper Grey lawyers recognized by Chambers Canada 2024
11 Harper Grey lawyers recognized by Chambers Canada 2024
Bruno Desparts elected as Member-at-Large for the CBA Health Law Section
Bruno Desparts elected as Member-at-Large for the CBA Health Law Section Bruno Desparts elected as Member-at-Large for the CBA Health Law Section
JoAnne Barnum, recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers Canada 2024
JoAnne Barnum, recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers Canada 2024 JoAnne Barnum, recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers Canada 2024
Best Lawyers Canada 2024 recognizes Guy Brown, KC, as Medical Negligence Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver
Best Lawyers Canada 2024 recognizes Guy Brown, KC, as Medical Negligence Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver
Michael Hewitt, recognized as Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver by Best Lawyers Canada 2024
Michael Hewitt, recognized as Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver by Best Lawyers Canada 2024 Michael Hewitt, recognized as Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Vancouver by Best Lawyers Canada 2024
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