Geoffrey Cowper, Partner | Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Geoffrey Cowper, KC *

Partner
… 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 Yukon, 1987 | British Columbia, 1982
Language(s) English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
Business +1 604 631 3185
Email gcowper@fasken.com
*Law Corporation
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Overview

Geoff Cowper, KC is a leading general litigator. Geoff has served as counsel in leading private and public cases in Canada and internationally. These have included leading decisions with national and international dimensions respecting commercial law, public law and human rights.

Geoff has served the community in leadership roles in law reform, legal aid, housing services to the homeless, and international economic development and conservation.

 

Related Solutions

Industries

Practices

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
Best Lawyers Publication name with laurels The Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized in International Arbitration and Appellate Practice in Vancouver Best Lawyers is an attorney ranking service. For more than 30 years, it has identified lawyers best qualified to represent clients in various jurisdictions and specialties. Read more
Best Lawyers Publication name with laurels The Best Lawyers in Canada 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 Best Lawyers is an attorney ranking service. For more than 30 years, it has identified lawyers best qualified to represent clients in various jurisdictions and specialties. Read more
Best Lawyers Publication name with laurels The Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized in Professional Malpractice Law in Vancouver Best Lawyers is an attorney ranking service. For more than 30 years, it has identified lawyers best qualified to represent clients in various jurisdictions and specialties. Read more

Client Work

  • 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.]
  • 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.
  • Appellants in the Supreme Court of Canada class action hearing TELUS Communications v. Avraham Wellman, [Case - TELUS Communications Inc.]
  • 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]
Case Represented Casey Helgason Helgason v. Rondeau An appeal from the dismissal of liability against a driver in circumstances where the Plaintiff, a young lawyer, was significantly injured. Read more
Case Represented BC Hydro and Power Authority Site C Litigation Advised BC Hydro & Power Authority on a number of challenges to Site C project approvals. Read more
Case Represented FortisBC Energy Inc. FortisBC and City of Coquitlam dispute over pipeline abandonment FortisBC and City of Coquitlam in pipeline abandonment dispute. Read more
Case Representing FortisBC Energy Inc. FortisBC in a municipal energy utility inquiry BC Utilities Commission Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities. Read more
Case Representing FortisBC Energy Inc. FortisBC in a dispute regarding the relocation of gas infrastructure to accommodate a municipal project BC’s largest gas utility in its dispute with municipality. Read more
Case Represented TELUS Communications Inc. TELUS Communications Inc. v. Wellman, 2019 SCC 19 Read more
Case Representing Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Assembly of First Nations obtains C$20 billion settlement, largest litigation settlement in Canadian history Fasken represents the Assembly of First Nations in historic class action and settlement. Read more
Case Represented TELUS Communications Inc. Appellants in the Supreme Court of Canada class action hearing TELUS Communications v. Avraham Wellman Read more
Deal Advised Impala Platinum Holdings Limited and Zimplats Holdings Limited Impala Platinum Holdings Limited and Zimplats Holdings Limited negotiate Indigenisation Implementation Plan with the Government of Zimbabwe Read more
All Client Work

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

  • Pensions Are Different | The HR Space, 12/16/2013
Bulletin Pensions Are Different | The HR Space Read more

Events

  • Symposium 2021 - Shortcuts and Pitfalls in Complex Litigation, 11/17/2021
  • Resource Nationalism is on the Rise Again - It’s Time for a Quick Refresher!, 6/29/2021
  • Managing Mining Projects in a Dynamic and Risky World II - Recent developments in mining disputes, 3/4/2014
Symposium 2021 - Shortcuts and Pitfalls in Complex Litigation Symposium | Pre-recorded Webinar Symposium 2021 - Shortcuts and Pitfalls in Complex Litigation About the event
mining trucks in quarry Webinar Resource Nationalism is on the Rise Again - It’s Time for a Quick Refresher! We saw a wave of protectionist measures in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s including full blown expropriations. Are we seeing another trend? Nationalism generally has been on the rise across the globe over the past several years. It appears to have been accelerated by the pandemic and a reorientation of global power structures, with nations rethinking access to critical resources and their national security. About the event
Managing Mining Projects in a Dynamic and Risky World II - Recent developments in mining disputes Global Mining Group Seminar - Breakfast (FMD at the PDAC) location location Toronto, ON



About the event

News

  • Lexpert® ALM 500 Directory 2022 Names 22 Fasken Lawyers, 1/6/2022
  • Lexpert Magazine quotes Geoff Cowper in an article on Top 10 business decisions of 2020-2021, 11/25/2021
  • Fasken Shines in Lexpert®’s Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020, 12/10/2020
Lexpert® ALM 500 Directory 2022 Names 22 Fasken Lawyers Rankings & Recognitions Lexpert® ALM 500 Directory 2022 Names 22 Fasken Lawyers The 2022 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (also known as the Lexpert®ALM 500 Directory) highlights 22 Fasken lawyers in 16 practice areas Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage | Rankings & Recognitions Lexpert Magazine quotes Geoff Cowper in an article on Top 10 business decisions of 2020-2021 “Top 10 business decisions of 2020-2021” by Elizabeth Raymer, Lexpert Magazine Read more
Fasken Shines in Lexpert®’s Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020 News Release | Rankings & Recognitions Fasken Shines in Lexpert®’s Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020 Fasken is highlighted as a key player in three cases in Lexpert®’s Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020 Read more

Publications

  • Proportionality: Economics Comes to the Courtroom, 1/6/2010
  • Cross-Border Class Actions: Opportunities and Challenges, 1/2/2008
  • A Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century ("Cowper Report"), BC Justice Reform Initiative
Article Proportionality: Economics Comes to the Courtroom Download
Article Cross-Border Class Actions: Opportunities and Challenges 2008 Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada Download
Report, Author A Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century ("Cowper Report") BC Justice Reform Initiative

Speaking Engagements

  • 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
  • Advanced Trial Advocacy - Thematic Organization of a Case, 1/15/2005
Public Order vs. Freedom of Speech and Association Beth Israel: Law & Learn 2022 location location Vancouver
Predicting Litigation Outcomes: Extracting Insights and Adding Value Using Big Data and Analytics CBA: Effective Advocacy in the Digital Era location location Virtual Read more
Advanced Trial Advocacy - Thematic Organization of a Case Introductory Course on Advocacy, UBC Law School location location Vancouver

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