Chris Rusnak is experienced in complex, document intensive, multi-party cases in the areas of engineering, environmental and construction litigation. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering.
Mr. Rusnak deals with the most technically challenging cases involving issues such as building envelope design failure, hydrocarbon migration in soils, large scale landslide failures and covalent bond failure analysis.
Mr. Rusnak is frequently involved in matters addressing concurrent actions involving numerous parties. His greatest skill is his ability to effectively strategize these complex litigation matters.
Mr. Rusnak has a reputation as a team player and has a strong working relationship with counsel throughout Vancouver, allowing him to strike strategic alliances as required.
Chris co-chairs the Engineering and Construction Law Practice Group and has served on our firm's executive committee.
In 2007, Chris was nominated and named a Finalist in a national publication's survey of Leading Lawyers under 40. He has been selected by his peers as one of the "Best Lawyers" in Canada in insurance law.
Representative Client Work
Construction Litigation
- Acting for a leading architectural firm in the defence of allegations of professional negligence in the design of a large high-rise condominium. The case involved more than 30 named defendants, a large volume of documents and damages in excess of $12 million were claimed.
- Acting for a large, national geotechnical engineering firm in a number of actions arising from two large landslides. In total, more than 20 separate actions were commenced. In addition to the legal proceedings, Mr. Rusnak was involved in extensive negotiations with the provincial and municipal governments regarding issues of ongoing public safety. As lead counsel, Mr. Rusnak was responsible for case strategy, file management, conduct of examinations for discovery, guidance to paralegals and junior lawyers, instruction of experts and ultimately the case strategy that led to successful resolution on behalf of his client.
- Representing a joint venture of three international engineering firms who were sued over their involvement in large-scale expansion of a waste water treatment plant. The case related to alleged design and construction defects associated with the projects waste water digesters. There were thousands of documents, many days of discovery and extensive expert evidence of a technical nature.
- Counsel in over 100 cases relating to leaking condominiums and other buildings. These claims are generally large, complex multi-party proceedings. Damages claims range from $200,000 to $30 million, and there are often 20 or more parties involved in the claims.
Environmental Litigation
- Co-counsel on behalf of a port authority in proceedings relating to historic hydrocarbon contamination of a large industrial site. Approximately 20 parties were involved in six concurrent actions seeking more than $35 million in clean-up costs. Document disclosure was extensive and the expert evidence highly technical. The matter proceeded to trial but was resolved by out-of-court settlement before the trial was completed.
Health Litigation
- Counsel in a series of matters involving claims by dozens of plaintiffs who alleged damages suffered due to sexual assaults allegedly committed while they were students of a former school teacher criminally convicted of sexual assault offences and designated a dangerous offender. Mr. Rusnak acted as counsel on behalf of a number of physicians named as defendants in the proceedings due to their involvement in the medical treatment of the teacher, and knowledge of his pedophilic condition, prior to the assaults. The cases received significant media attention and, given its sensitive subject matter needed a carefully planned litigation strategy. In his role as lead counsel, Mr. Rusnak worked collaboratively with other defence counsel involved in the case to bring it to a successful resolution.
- Representing numerous physicians in a variety of disputes, including the defence of a paediatric cardiac surgeon in the British Columbia Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The case involved allegations of professional negligence arising from a surgical procedure on a child to repair a condition known as coarctation of the aorta.
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Consulting Engineers of British Columbia
- Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, University of British Columbia
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC courses and Professional Legal Training (Bar Admission) course
- Lecturer to architects, engineers and individuals within the insurance industry addressing professional liability and environmental risk management issues
Professional & Civic Activities
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch - Construction Law subsection
- Member, British Columbia Construction Roundtable
- Contributing Author, Harper Grey Administrative Law Netletter published on Quicklaw
- Fundraising volunteer for Parkinson Society British Columbia
Publications
Background
Born and raised in Saskatchewan. Chris, his wife and young daughters enjoy living in Vancouver. In addition to time with his family, Chris enjoys participating in hockey, triathlons, basketball and golf.
