Nigel chairs our Insurance Law Practice Group. He practices in a variety of areas, including commercial law, insurance law and professional regulation. Nigel has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and appears frequently before the British Columbia Court of Appeal and British Columbia Supreme Court.
Representative Client Work
Insurance Law
Nigel advises insurers, their insureds, and self-insured clients on legal issues including the defence of complex losses and coverage matters. He recently assisted with the defence of an insurer in an action against them by an insured who was alleged to have made misrepresentations in the application for insurance and renewal of that insurance. The insured had been sued in California for $250 million and sued the insurer who had denied defence and indemnity to the insured as a result of the misrepresentations. Nigel also represents a large grocery store chain on all of its bodily injury legal actions.
Subrogation
Nigel is well known by insurers for his diligent and quick pursuit of their subrogated interests. He has successfully and efficiently obtained substantial recoveries for insurers in the areas of product liability, fire, flood, and structural defects.
Professional Regulation
Nigel’s professional regulations practice involves the representation and defence of professionals. He is general counsel for a large body of professional educators to which he provides insight on long term strategic planning as well as day to day legal advice. Nigel is also general counsel to a large organization of professional home inspectors. He recently represented a psychiatrist before the Supreme Court of Canada in a matter involving allegations of ethical violation. Nigel has also defended other professionals such as dentists, realtors, home inspectors, podiatrists, doctors, and psychologists.
Speaking Engagements
- Frequent presenter, regularly gives talks to insurers, self insured organizations and professional organizations on risk management and subrogation
Professional & Civic Activities
- Member, Canadian Bar Association Discipline and Administrative Law subsections
- Past Executive Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Past Executive Member, Vancouver Bar Association
Publications
Background
Born in Plymouth, England, Nigel moved to Canada at the age of seven. He was immediately introduced to hockey. He received a B.A. (Hons.) in International Politics from Queens University and moved to Vancouver to attend UBC Law. Since then he has been a dedicated Vancouverite and hockey player.
