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A class action law suit allows a large number of people with a common interest in a matter to sue the same defendant as a group. Such actions are typically used where an individual claim would be too small or expensive to pursue.

Class actions require lawyers who are adept at handling very complex matters and very large plaintiff groups. Whether the action is settled out of court or proceeds to trial, our lawyers have the experience and resources to see class actions through to the end.

Our lawyers have recognized expertise representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad spectrum of class action lawsuits. We have also acted for other groups who have a vested interest in outcomes, such as not-for-profit associations.

Services

  • Actions brought on behalf of shareholders against public companies.
  • Defence of corporate interests against actions brought on by shareholders.
  • Argued for access to funding and coverage for specific medical procedures currently not granted by the provincial government.
  • Defence of religious institutions in allegations of historical sexual abuse at residential schools.
  • Representing plaintiff groups and defending corporations in allegations of faulty products.

Notable Cases

Autism Class Action

Represented the parents of children with autism who sought coverage for therapy under the Medical Services Plan. Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v. British Columbia (Attorney General).

Historical Sexual Assault

Represented the United Church in proceedings collectively cited as Blackwater v. Plint et al which determined the liability of the Government of Canada and the United Church for sexual assaults committed at Indian Residential Schools. The case was decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in October 2005 (2005 SCC 58) and will serve as a leading judgment on issues of institutional liability and assessment of damages.

25 Lawyers Recognized as Leaders in their field by Benchmark Canada® 2022

Benchmark Canada® 2022

24 Harper Grey lawyers recognized for litigation expertise by Benchmark Canada®, 2021

Benchmark Canada®

Harper Grey receives highest firm ranking as a “Highly Recommended” local litigation law firm in British Columbia from Benchmark Canada® 2014-2021

Benchmark Canada®

29 Harper Grey lawyers recognized across 15 specialty areas by Best Lawyers® in Canada, 2020

Best Lawyers® in Canada

19 Harper Grey lawyers recognized as “Leading Practitioners” by Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, 2021

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®

Harper Grey recognized as a "Leading Law Firm" regionally in the area of Dispute Resolution by Chambers Canada®, 2017-2020

Chambers Canada®

Martindale Hubbell® recognizes 13 Harper Grey lawyers across 27 practice areas

January 30, 2017

Harper Grey receives the TAGLaw Membership Award of Distinction acknowledging 15 years of outstanding service

May 11, 2017

Harper Grey recognized as a Top 10 Regional Firm in British Columbia, Alberta and the Territories by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, 2012 and 2014

Canadian Lawyer Magazine

“Harper Grey has a 100-year-old profile in this market,” testifies one senior-level peer, adding, “but the talent there now is mostly all younger than me!”

Benchmark Canada® 2022

“They were amazing to work with! They were incredibly competent and resolution based. They kept me centered in the midst of the storm and got me a great result in very short time frame.”

Benchmark Canada® 2022

"The Harper Grey team is a well-oiled machine. All the lawyers I deal with are well-trained and hardworking. They communicate well and are always available for questions."

Benchmark Canada® 2020

"Cameron Elder and Chris Rusnak are excellent lawyers and honorable people. We found them to be very personable and responsive to change."

Benchmark Canada® 2020

“These lawyers are all subject matter experts, and leader in their field, whose knowledge and skill are matched by their excellent client service.”

Benchmark Canada® 2019

“Excellent response time, good talent from junior and intermediate to senior levels and reasonable service costs.”

Benchmark Canada® 2019

“Every day it seems like I am dealing with someone at Harper Grey, and I always find them professional, courteous and effective.”

Benchmark Canada® 2017

“Recognition remains vibrant for firm figurehead Bryan Baynham, a veteran of commercial law as well as niche areas such as real estate, defamation, media and privacy.”

Benchmark Canada® 2017

“The firm has real quality people, and they’ve put three people on the bench there in six years.”

Benchmark Canada® 2015

“Rod Anderson is lauded for his enthusiastic client following and his track record of success.”

Benchmark Canada® 2015

“Harper Grey is one of the best firms in Vancouver. They have excellent service, knowledge and their cost structure is excellent.”

Benchmark Canada® 2017

“Peers vouch for Bryan Baynham’s acumen, addressing him as “a worthy opponent, good on his feet, very skilled and seasoned.”

Benchmark Canada® 2012

“A lawyer who refers work to Harper Grey wrote it has ‘great service, a breadth of practice and I have never received a negative comment from referrals to the firm’.”

2014 Canadian Lawyer Magazine Stronger than Ever - Top Western & Northern Firms, September 1, 2014

“Rod Anderson – he’s got a reputation for success, he’s got a client following, and he just wins.”

Benchmark Canada® 2013

“Harper Grey lawyers are ‘dedicated to their clients and focused on finding and implementing practical solutions for them. The lawyers are prompt, intelligent and insightful, and provide a high level of customer service’.”

2012 Canadian Lawyer Magazine Embracing Regionalism - Canadian Lawyer’s Top 10 firms from B.C., Alberta, and the Territories are in the Sweet Spot Right Now, October 1, 2012

“Bryan Baynham has a strong presence and remains active and upbeat. I always seem to have something going with him, confirms one peer.”

Benchmark Canada® 2016

“Harper Grey is a trial lawyer’s firm, and they’ve got a big deep bench of well-trained litigators.”

Benchmark Canada® 2017

“Harper Grey has a stellar pedigree as a litigation firm, and they’ve put a ton of people on the bench, observes one peer.”

Benchmark Canada® 2014

“Bryan Baynham exemplifies the ways in which this firm has set itself apart. He attends to a variety of practice areas that he has really cornered a market on, like aviation and also defamation and media law.”

Benchmark Canada® 2016

“A Vancouver staple, Harper Grey is perhaps the most BC-centric of the “highly recommended” firms, owing largely to the firm’s bench strength in several key areas.”

Benchmark Canada® 2018

“They are historically known more for insurance but there’s a lot more there than meets the eye.”

Benchmark Canada® 2015

“They exceeded all my expectations. I am very satisfied with their work and very happy to recommend them.”

Chambers Canada® 2017

“Clients are comforted by the firm’s long history in BC. We’re steeped in the region. Our connection is such that we have knowledge of not only the issue itself, but the history of the issue in the province.” – Richard Bereti

2012 Canadian Lawyer Magazine® Embracing Regionalism - Canadian Lawyer’s Top 10 firms from B.C., Alberta, and the Territories are in the Sweet Spot Right Now, October 1, 2012

“The firm’s lawyers are principled and have deep integrity. Their work is thorough and of consistent high quality.”

Benchmark Canada® 2019

“The firm is top notch. They have many lawyers specialized in medical defense work who are highly skilled in their legal acumen and practice management, but who also recognize the importance of carrying out their work in a practical, results-oriented manner. They actively look for ways to more efficiently partner with their clients for effective management of the work, while at the same time not weakening their excellent service delivery, their responsiveness, or their effectiveness in the work.”

Benchmark Canada® 2019

“This team has provided outstanding legal service. They are prompt, responsive, and communicative. They are strong strategists and provide well researched, experienced legal advice. We work with many firms, and Harper Grey stands out. One member of the team remembers every interaction, memo, pleading and document. They understand a very complicated file and address it with ease and candor. We very much appreciate their strong advocacy.”

Benchmark Canada® 2019

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