Our History
Owen Bird opened its doors on September 1, 1969, as the vision of prominent Vancouver lawyer Walter Owen, Q.C. Walter had formerly been with Campney, Owen, Murphy and broke away to start his own firm with John I. Bird, Q.C., a prominent litigator and grandson of former Chief Justice H. I. Bird.
Originally called Owen, Bird & McDonald, some of the lawyers who soon joined the firm played vital roles in Owen Bird for many decades. They included William Forbes and Alexander Farac, both of whom remained with the firm until their retirement. In 1970 and 1971, the firm attracted some of the lawyers who have shaped the firm over most of its life and who remain pillars of the firm today, such as William Ireland Q.C., who celebrated his 50th year of practise in May of 2009, as well as Barry Kirkham, Q.C. and Robin Macfarlane.
In 1972, John McDonald had moved to Eastern Canada, and the firm became known as Owen, Bird. In 1973 Walter Owen was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Michael Warren joined the firm where he remained until his retirement.
Over the decades that have followed, Owen Bird attracted many other lawyers who have played vital roles in the development of the firm. The list of current lawyers who are in their 20th year or more with Owen Bird speaks volumes about the kind of loyalty and collegiality that characterizes the firm. They include David Dunn, Doug Johnson, Harvey Delaney, Dan Burnett, Chris Weafer, Greg Tucker, Pat Haberl, and Paul Brown. In addition, we have attracted senior counsel who are leaders in their fields as well as some of the brightest young lawyers in British Columbia.
In 2005, Owen Bird became Owen Bird Law Corporation, and expects to continue its history of outstanding legal services long into the future.
