Hunter Litigation Chambers came into existence in 2006 when Hunter Voith and Berardino Harris amalgamated to form one of the most well-respected litigation boutiques in Western Canada. In the years since its inception, Hunter Litigation Chambers has expanded and matured and is regularly recognised as one of the premier dispute resolution firms in Canada.
Senior Counsel, Randy Kaardal, KC, William Smart, KC and Claire Hunter, KC, are each consistently identified in peer-reviewed publications as leading lawyers across various litigation-related categories and subject areas. Associate Counsel Martin Taylor, KC, one of Canada’s leading counsel and adjudicators over the past 50 years, rounds out the firm’s expertise at the senior level.
With deep talent within our junior counsel and associate ranks, including many former judicial clerks, the firm has the bench strength and ability to handle all manner of commercial, criminal and administrative disputes. The firm routinely acts across a broad spectrum of subject areas including commercial litigation & arbitration, class actions (including anti-trust and product liability cases), professional negligence, natural resources disputes, labour and employment, defamation, public and constitutional law and criminal and quasi-criminal prosecutions.
In addition to their respective practices before trial courts, administrative and arbitral tribunals, counsel at Hunter Litigation Chambers appear regularly in the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada, and in the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal.
Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
This is a key area of practice. Under the leadership of Randy Kaardal, KC and Claire Hunter, KC, all lawyers from the most senior to the newest recruit participate in these cases.
Class Actions
A growing area of practice within the firm. Working primarily with companies and organizations faced with class actions, Claire Hunter, KC is taking the lead in expanding our position as leading defence council.
Corporate & Securities Litigation
HLC has been involved in some of the leading cases in corporate and securities litigation. Randy Kaardall, KC and Claire Hunter, KC have broad expertise in regulatory issues and related corporate disputes.
Administrative & Public
The firm has extensive experience before all manner of administrative tribunals, commissions and courts. All of our senior counsel and most of our associate lawyers participate in this area of practice. Lawyers from the firm are regularly involved in constitutional litigation, both in terms of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the federal division of powers.
Labour & Employment
Randy Kaardal, KC and Paul Heisler assist both employers and employees with employment-related disputes, including wrongful dismissal, Human Rights issues, WorkSafe BC matters and labour disputes.
Criminal & Regulatory
William Smart, KC heads this practice group dealing with Criminal Code investigations and prosecutions, as well as those under other federal or provincial regulatory statutes – including the Income Tax Act, Competition Act, Customs Act, Excise Act and Excise Act, 2001, Excise Tax Act, Extradition Act, Fisheries Act, Canada Elections Act, Canada Labour Code, Workers’ Compensation Act, Securities Act, Financial Institutions Act, Police Act, Gaming Control Act and Mines Act, among others. The criminal and regulatory practice also includes representing licensed individuals (e.g., lawyers, health care professionals, teachers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, motor dealers, etc.) before their respective regulatory bodies, and occasionally representing the regulated professions in disciplinary or unlicensed practice matters.
Counsel: 12 Associates: 10
