Areas of Practice
Owen Bird provides its students and associates with exposure to practice in many areas, including specialized fields not commonly found in other firms. One of our features is our unique client base. In addition to general corporate clients and financial institutions, we act for:- television and radio stations
- software developers
- internet service providers
- insurance companies
- motor carrier companies
- stevedoring firms
- construction companies
- real estate developers
- investment dealers
- senior corporate executives
- communications companies
CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Our students are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of transactions under the supervision of senior lawyers. Specifically, they become involved in all facets of the transaction, including client interviews, preparation of documentation, negotiations, meetings and closings.Some of our areas of practice include:
1. General Corporate/Commercial
We provide a full range of corporate and commercial legal advice to a wide variety of clients from the small business entrepreneur to the large multinational corporation.
2. Acquisitions and Reorganizations
We are involved in major business acquisitions and takeovers, corporate reorganizations, mergers and liquidations, and have acted as counsel on some of the major government privatizations in British Columbia. The services we provide include negotiating, structuring, planning the financing of, and ultimately completing the transaction.
3. Real Estate, Resort and Municipal
We handle a wide variety of property transactions from residential conveyances to sophisticated residential and commercial real estate developments.
4. Financial Services
Our Firm has experience in all aspects of insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership and foreclosures. We also represent banks and other financial institutions in the preparation of loan agreements and security documents.
5. Securities and Public Financing
We act in all aspects of securities transactions for issuers, brokers and underwriters, from obtaining financing to preparing the prospectus and meeting all Stock Exchange listing requirements.
6. Wealth Preservation
This Practice Group consists of six lawyers with extensive experience in all aspects of Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Estate Litigation. We act for several banks and trust companies in this area.
7. Intellectual Property, Internet and Technology
Our lawyers provide services respecting copyright trademark and trade secret law to clients in the high-technology sector. We advise on registration, licensing, acquisition and transfer of intellectual property, and enforcement of their rights. We draft and negotiate agreements concerning software, product licensing, distribution, franchising, trademark licensing, and computer and telecommunications systems acquisition and confidentiality.
LITIGATION
Approximately one-half of our practice is litigation related. Our students have personal conduct of a number of less complicated files where they maintain contact with clients and other counsel with a minimum of supervision. In addition, they have the opportunity to assist senior counsel on more sophisticated matters.Some areas of practice include:
1. General litigation
We deal with complex litigation in all courts in British Columbia and Alberta, and the Federal and Supreme Courts of Canada. We have particular expertise in the areas of commercial and corporate disputes, maritime claims, labour and employment matters, construction-related claims, personal injuries, insurance claims, foreclosures and receivership, municipal disputes, intellectual property and estates.
2. Employment
We advise both employers and employees on all facets of the employment relationship, from the preparation of the employment contract through to termination of the employment relationship and wrongful dismissal claims.
3. Insurance
We act for many insurers located in Canada, the United States, Japan and England The cases range from significant property, business interruption and boiler and machinery claims to construction risk claims to product and premises liability claims.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
1. LabourOur lawyers appear at labour hearings at both the Provincial and Federal levels. In addition, we negotiate collective agreements, appear at arbitrations and provide advice on the interpretation of collective agreements and legislation.
2. Transportation
The Firm represents several major transport clients, notably courier, bus and trucking businesses. We deal with the complex regulatory environment faced by these companies, as well as with their corporate and commercial concerns, labour and employment matters and litigation, including cargo claims.
3. Media and Communications
We are one of the very few firms in British Columbia with experience in media broadcasting and communications law. We handle regulatory issues as well as commercial and litigation matters for a number of television and radio stations and industry-related associations.
