Geoff Cowper is a leading litigator with a national reputation and has been counsel in dozens of leading cases in a wide range of areas, including commercial litigation, class actions, constitutional law, and administrative law. Geoff’s experience includes conducting trials in several jurisdictions, ranging from summary trials to cases requiring over 200 days of hearing. He has appeared in over 150 appeals, including numerous appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, and has represented clients before various administrative bodies.
Geoff is committed to championing the role of law in achieving just and effective resolutions to public and private disputes. He has been recognized by leading legal ranking services in over 10 practice areas, including being selected as one of Canada’s most influential lawyers and placed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. He has been counsel or principal in several commissions and law reform efforts including the Hall Commission in 1987, the Matkin Commission in 1994, the Frank Paul Inquiry in 2011 and authored the Cowper Report on a Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century in 2012. Geoff also maintains a website called Timely Justice dedicated to the pursuit of achieving timely justice.
Beyond his legal practice, Geoff is deeply engaged in community service. He has been an educator and director in both legal and public roles, and has contributed to legal education and published articles and presentations on legal and public policy topics. Geoff has served on many boards, including as director and Chair of BC’s legal aid society, and as a director of charities and foundations addressing wildlife conservation, homelessness, offender training, healthcare and social policy.