Owen Bird is Pleased to Announce New Shareholders to the Firm

January 04, 2021 - Owen Bird

Owen Bird Law Corporation is pleased to announce that Tony Anderson and Brian Cheng became shareholders of the firm effective January 1, 2021. Tony and Brian have made significant contributions to Owen Bird and its clients during their years as associates.

Tony practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law. He has broad experience in representing lenders and borrowers on secured debt financings, construction lending, asset‑based lending, lease financing, acquisition and merger financing, loan syndications and standard operating and term credit facilities.

Brian Cheng is a member of our Litigation Group with a focus on commercial litigation and insurance defence….

Owen Bird Welcomes Heather Frydenlund

November 12, 2020 - Owen Bird

Owen Bird is delighted to announce that Heather Frydenlund has joined our firm as the newest member of our Litigation Law Group. Heather is an associate lawyer with a practice focused primarily on Insolvency and Restructuring Law and Administrative Law.

Heather obtained her Bachelor’s Degree, Economics and Psychology (Double Major) from Simon Fraser University. She then attended the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law and obtained her Juris Doctor in 2015. Heather was called to the Alberta Bar in 2016 and has been employed as an associate at Parlee McLaws LLP in Edmonton, Alberta for the last 5 years. Heather…

BC Government Introduces “Benefit Companies”

June 17, 2020 - Owen Bird

The Government of British Columbia intends to amend the Business Corporations Act (“BCBCA”) to include a new type of company – a benefit company. This amendment is set to take place on June 30, 2020.

A benefit company is a for-profit corporation that dedicates itself to conducting responsible and sustainable business and to promoting a public benefit(s). A public benefit includes any activity that positively impacts a group outside of the corporation’s shareholders. For example, an educational group, the local community, the environment, or a charitable organization. A list of possible ‘public benefit’ activities can be found here.

Benefit…

To Pay, or Not To Pay? – Vancouver Delays 2020 Property Tax Deadlines in COVID-Era

May 04, 2020 - Owen Bird

As Canadians are continuing to deal with the financial stresses brought on by COVID-19, municipal governments, like the City of Vancouver, are no exception. In a recent press conference, Mayor Kennedy Stewart stated that the City is losing millions every week in revenue due to the effects of COVID-19 and the corresponding social distancing measures. The City continues to experience 80-100% decreases in revenue streams areas such as parking, by-law fines, gaming and recreation centres.

Included in the City’s stream of revenue, valued at approximately $324 million, are the collections from annual property taxes. These are taxes paid by…

Underscoring Urgency: Family Matters in the COVID Crisis

April 20, 2020 - Owen Bird

On March 18, 2020, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia announced a suspension of all regular operations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19, with only essential and urgent matters to be heard.  A copy of the notice may be found here.

In the family law context, the Court outlined what is essential and urgent, including:

Orders relating to the safety of a child or parent due to a risk of violence or immediate harm (e.g., a protection order, conduct orders, or exclusive possession of…

Client and Friends Alert

March 19, 2020 - Owen Bird

Dear clients and friends,

We, like everyone else, are taking the Covid 19 pandemic seriously. As such, the majority of our lawyers and staff will be working remotely.

We would ask that you contact your lawyer at the firm directly using either e-mail or their direct dial number. Our goal is to provide prompt and ongoing support to you during this difficult state.

Court matters are all on hold. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia has ordered the suspension of all regular operations, effective immediately until further notice. All regular hearings are adjourned.

At all times,…

Brian Cheng presents at UBC Allard School of Law

March 11, 2020 - Owen Bird

Brian Cheng presented at the UBC Allard School of Law’s first inaugural speed mentoring event co-hosted by the UBC Graduate Law Students’ Society and the Global Lawyers of Canada on March 11, 2020. The event was well attended by international lawyers and law students.

As a lawyer who practiced in the United States before returning to Canada, Brian spoke about the unique opportunities in and challenges of practicing law in Canada. He continues to be licensed to practice in the State of Washington and is called to the bar of British Columbia. While fulfilling the prerequisites to take the B.C. bar exam, Brian completed his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at UBC.​

Brian Cheng presents at Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers event

February 20, 2020 - Owen Bird

On February 20, 2020, Brian Cheng presented at the Mentorship Roundtable event hosted by the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL) at the Vancouver office of McCarthy Tétrault.

Brian was a co-panelist with the retired Mr. Justice Randall Wong and lawyer Chilwin Cheng of Ascendion Law, and they presented about their individual experiences as Asian lawyers in the practice of civil litigation.

The event was well attended by law students, articling students, and lawyers.

As a member of Owen Bird’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Involvement Committee, Brian is committed to encouraging the legal profession to reflect all of the communities that…

Jocelyn Bellerud Assumes New Leadership Role for Interlaw’s North American Region

January 28, 2020 - Owen Bird

Owen Bird is pleased to announce that Jocelyn Bellerud has assumed a new leadership role for Interlaw’s North American Region.  Jocelyn has been appointed Interlaw Next Gen Special Business Team Regional Chair for North America.  Jocelyn continues to serve as Interlaw Mergers & Acquisitions Special Business Team Regional Co-Chair for North America.

Owen Bird is extremely proud of its relationship with Interlaw and the international connections it offers to our clients.  Interlaw is an international network of corporate and commercial independent law firms, active in 140 different cities worldwide.