Who We Are
Look, we're not your typical corporate law firm. We got into this because we saw too many communities getting steamrolled by development projects that didn't give a damn about the environment or the people living there. Started in a cramped office in 2012 with two lawyers, a shared desk, and way too much coffee - now we're a team that's taken on some of the biggest environmental cases in BC.
The Beginning
Two environmental lawyers got fed up working for firms that cared more about billable hours than actual justice. We opened up shop with a simple mission - defend the environment and Indigenous communities who've been protecting it for generations. Our first case? A small First Nation fighting a pipeline through their traditional territory. We won.
Major Breakthrough
The Coastal Waters case - three years of litigation against a mining company dumping tailings near salmon spawning grounds. Media called it a David vs Goliath story, but honestly, we just had the facts on our side. The court ordered a complete environmental remediation and set a precedent that's still cited today. That's when we realized we were onto something bigger.
Indigenous Partnership
We established our Indigenous Rights division after working with dozens of First Nations communities. This wasn't just about adding a practice area - we brought in Indigenous legal scholars, hired lawyers from these communities, and really listened to what was needed. Treaty negotiations, land claims, consultation rights - we've been in the trenches for over seven years now.
Climate Action
Filed our first major climate change class action lawsuit representing coastal communities facing displacement from rising sea levels. The case is still ongoing, but it's pushed provincial policy in the right direction. We also started advising municipalities on climate adaptation strategies - turns out cities need lawyers who understand both environmental science and policy.
Today
We're a team of fifteen lawyers, plus support staff who are just as passionate about this work. We've won cases that changed policy, lost some that taught us how to fight smarter, and built relationships with communities across BC. The work's never done - every week there's a new development threatening a watershed or a government trying to sidestep consultation requirements. But that's why we're here.
