Chris Johnston joined Harper Grey in 2009 after practising law for several years in the Cayman Islands. He is the assistant chair of Harper Grey LLP's commercial litigation group and a member of our condo, insolvency and employment litigation groups. At his previous firm, Appleby, Chris was a member of the litigation and insolvency groups, and was also largely responsible for the firm's employment law practice. 

Chris practised in Toronto with WeirFoulds LLP for several years prior to moving to the Cayman Islands. He successfully represented clients in contract, negligence, and complex commercial and shareholder disputes.

Chris has represented clients before all levels of Ontario Courts and Appellate Courts, the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of court in the Cayman Islands and also in front of a wide array of administrative tribunals.

Representative Client Work

• Acting for individuals, private companies, and financial institutions advising on and drafting employment agreements and manuals, and dealing with warnings, dismissals and severance agreements.
• Representing clients in front of administrative tribunals, regarding municipal, employment, licensing and human rights matters.
• Conducting litigation and dispute resolution for clients regarding property disputes, mortgage remedies, shareholder disputes, oppression remedies, derivative actions and in obtaining mareva injunctions and anton piller orders.
• Helping clients with creditor and debtor issues, with respect to remedies and security interests.

Awards & Honours

• Carleton University - recipient of the Highest Honours award for the highest graduating mark in the faculty.
• Queen's University - recipient of the award in Remedies

Professional & Civic Activities

• Lecturer and writer on employment law issues, strata law, and municipal law
• Past Chair, Cayman Islands Labour Tribunal
• Secretary, Canadian Bar Association Employment Law Subsection (BC Branch)
• Member of the Canadian Bar Association (Employment, Commercial Litigation, and Insolvency sub-sections)
• Member, Business of Law Committee, CBA (BC)
• Elected Chairperson of Eagle Court Strata

Publications

• BC's Real Estate Development Marketing Act
• CCAA Primer: Preserving your rights to collect from distressed companies
• Employment Law: What's Old? What's New?

Background

After living in the Caribbean and central Canada, Chris moved to Vancouver with his wife, who grew up in the Lower Mainland. He looks forward to enjoying the great outdoors and settling into the city.

Asked about his approach to client service, Chris says "It's our client's case. I keep this in mind and try to resolve matters to achieve the best result in the most efficient manner possible."