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Geoffrey Cowper, Partner | Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Geoffrey Cowper, KC *

Partner Fasken
… every complex case presents a variety of opportunities and risks. Most of what you need to know about them can be learned at the beginning of the dispute and used to develop the best strategy for the particular case. Coming up with the best approach and seeing it work is exciting, rewarding and great fun.
Jurisdiction British Columbia, 1982
Language(s) English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
*Law Corporation
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Overview

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.

Achievements

  • Recognized in International Arbitration and Appellate Practice in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 to 2025
  • Recognized in Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Administrative and Public Law, Class Action Litigation, Securities Law, Legal Malpractice Law, Director and Officer Liability Practice and Bet-the-Company Litigation in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2006 to 2025
  • Recognized in Professional Malpractice Law in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 to 2025

Client Work

  • Court dismisses application for judicial review of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 approval, [Case - Vancouver Fraser Port Authority], VFPA wins key Federal Court case, advancing new marine terminal project
  • Helgason v. Rondeau, [Case - Casey Helgason], An appeal from the dismissal of liability against a driver in circumstances where the Plaintiff, a young lawyer, was significantly injured.
  • Site C Litigation, [Case - BC Hydro and Power Authority], Advised BC Hydro & Power Authority on a number of challenges to Site C project approvals.
  • FortisBC and City of Coquitlam dispute over pipeline abandonment, [Case - FortisBC Energy Inc.], FortisBC and City of Coquitlam in pipeline abandonment dispute.
  • FortisBC in a municipal energy utility inquiry, [Case - FortisBC Energy Inc.], BC Utilities Commission Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities.
  • FortisBC in a dispute regarding the relocation of gas infrastructure to accommodate a municipal project, [Case - FortisBC Energy Inc.], BC’s largest gas utility in its dispute with municipality.
  • TELUS Communications Inc. v. Wellman, 2019 SCC 19, [Case - TELUS Communications Inc.], In TELUS Communications Inc. v. Wellman, the Fasken team of Geoff Cowper, Andrew Borrell, Alexandra Mitretodis, Gerry Ranking and Paul Martin secured an important victory in the Supreme Court of Canada reinforcing the statutory and judicial policy in favour of enforcing arbitration agreements exc...
  • Assembly of First Nations obtains C$20 billion settlement, largest litigation settlement in Canadian history, [Case - Assembly of First Nations (AFN)], Fasken represents the Assembly of First Nations in historic class action and settlement.
  • Impala Platinum Holdings Limited and Zimplats Holdings Limited negotiate Indigenisation Implementation Plan with the Government of Zimbabwe, [Deal - Impala Platinum Holdings Limited and Zimplats Holdings Limited], Advised Impala Platinum Holdings Limited and Zimplats Holdings Limited on all aspects of the Government of Zimbabwe’s indigenisation program including the negotiation of an Indigenisation Implementation Plan, proposed government participation, employee and local community trust structures, and re...

Career & Education

Education

  • LLB University of British Columbia

Community involvement

  • Counsel Davies Commission on First Nations and policing 2010
  • Director Street to Home Foundation 2008 to present
  • Director & Chair Legal Services Society 1998 to 2008
  • Counsel Matkin Commission on Securities Regulation 1994
  • Counsel Hall Commission on First Nations policy 1987

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Chair BC Justice Reform Initiative 2012 to 2015
  • Chair, Fellow and Provincial American College of Trial Lawyers 2005 to 2007

Knowledge

Events

News

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Mooting the Constitutional Implications, 2/15/2024
  • Public Order vs. Freedom of Speech and Association, 6/14/2022
  • Predicting Litigation Outcomes: Extracting Insights and Adding Value Using Big Data and Analytics, 2/17/2022
Speaker Mooting the Constitutional Implications Beth Israel: Combatting Antisemitism location location Vancouver
Public Order vs. Freedom of Speech and Association Beth Israel: Law & Learn 2022 location location Vancouver

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