Biography

Bernie Buettner, is the former chair of  the personal injury group at Harper Grey LLP.  A senior partner at the firm, he has almost 25 years experience working on complex litigation involving insurance, liability and health issues. Bernie is also a member of our class action and insurance defence groups.

Bernie is known for handling very sensitive client issues respectfully and with empathy. He has acted for several religious denominations on historic sexual assault claims. These matters involve governments, religious institutions, multiple claimants and expert witnesses in the determination of vicarious liability and damage assessment.

In his spare time, Bernie coaches soccer and serves on the executive board of the Tsawwassen Soccer Club.

Education

• University of British Columbia, LL.B., 1986
• University of British Columbia, B.Comm., 1985

 Bar Admission

• British Columbia, 1987

 Leadership

• Member, Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch, Civil Litigation, Class Action and Insurance Subsections
• Associate Member, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
• Chair, Harper Grey LLP Student Recruitment Committee
• Chair, Harper Grey LLP Personal Injury Group

Client Work

Civil Litigation

• Representing the United Church in proceedings collectively cited as Blackwater v. Plint et al which determined the liability of the Government of Canada and the Church for sexual assaults committed at  Residential Schools. The case was decided by the Supreme Court of Canada and is the leading judgment on issues of institutional vicarious liability and asessment of damages.
• Serving as prosecutor in an administrative hearing into allegations of historical sexual abuse
• Representing professionals with errors and ommissions (professional liability) insurance claims

Personal Injury

• Co-counsel for a couple seriously injured in a car crash. Both clients were unable to work for several years while caring for their daughter.
• Representing a young man seriously injured in a car accident and suffering from ongoing symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury.  The case involved claims against a driver, a pub, and a road construction company, all of which were settled prior to trial with our client recovering in excess of one million dollars.

Class Actions

• Acting on behalf of potential class members in a proposed class action (certification pending) relating to the alleged use of incorrectly calibrated roadside screening devices by British Columbia police forces.  If the claim is successful, individuals who registered a "warn" during roadside assessments conducted in the fall of 2010 will have their civil penalties set aside.

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