PRACTICE AREAS
Chris is the leader of the firm’s Construction & Engineering Practice and chairs the firm’s client service program. He is also a member of the firm’s environmental and insurance teams.
His client centered practice is focused on assisting construction industry clients in the management of procurement issues, the negotiation and drafting of contracts, and the resolution of builders liens and other construction based litigation. Chris also provides environmental advice to clients including a major Canadian oil and gas company as well as defending professionals in a broad range of error and omission claims.
Chris is a frequent speaker and writer on legal issues of interest to the construction and business communities. He is the co-author of the
Annotated Builders Lien Act, 2007 – 2008 published by the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia (CLEBC) and a contributing author to the
Builders Lien Practice Manual also published by the CLEBC.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Counsel for a major Pacific Northwest forestry company on a $100 million mill upgrade.
- Counsel for a general contractor in a $250 million hotel and residence project in downtown Vancouver.
- Counsel for a provincial health authority in relation to various development projects including design-build upgrades to existing facilities.
- Counsel for the developer of a luxury $60 million high rise development in Yaletown.
- Counsel for a syndicate of gas companies in a subrogated action arising from the failure of a major gas pipeline crossing the Peace River.
Counsel in matters involving:
- geotechnical claims with respect to shoring designs, swelling clays, collapsing silts, earth filled dams, retaining walls, earth retention systems, and foundation performance;
- mechanical claims with respect to geothermal systems, sprinkler deficiencies, potable water systems, and HVAC performance;
- structural claims with respect to post tensioning, seismic deficiencies, bridges, creep deflection, and failed slabs; and
- environmental claims with respect to the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites.
RECENT CONFERENCES
- Presenter, “Tendering Fundamentals”, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, March 2009
- Presenter, “Understanding Construction Claims”, Buildex Vancouver, February 2009
- Presenter, “Construction Documents: Not the Same Old Thing!”, Lorman Education Seminars, November 2008
- Presenter, “Procurement Fundamentals”, Glazing Contractors Association of BC, September 2008
- Presenter, “Procurement Fundamentals and Solutions, Does One Size Fit All?”, Buildex Vancouver, February 2008
- Presenter, “The Law of Tendering in 2007”, Buildex Vancouver, February 2007
- Presenter, "Construction Law Update for Architects, Builders, Contractors and Engineers", Buildex Vancouver, February 2006
- Presenter, Construct Alberta, November 2005
- Presenter, “Rule 18A Update 2005”, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, February 2005
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
In the past seven years, Chris has published over 90 articles on construction law. Recent articles include:
- “Legal Specs”, co-author Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, January 12-18, 2010
- “Legal Specs”, co-author Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, October 13-19, 2009
- "Legal Specs", co-author, Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, July 21-27, 2009
- “Legal Reinforcement: Insurer victorious in latest liability coverage battle”, co-author Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, June 25, 2009
- “Legal Reinforcement: Proving damages can be difficult”, co-author Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, May 4, 2009
- “Legal Specs”, co-author Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, April 21 – 27, 2009
- “Legal Reinforcement: Understanding the construction claims process”, co-author, Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, February 9, 2009
- “Legal Specs”, co-author, Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, January 13-19, 2009
- “Point Counter Point: Determining the price of work”, co-author, Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, December 8, 2008
- “Point Counter Point: A good guide for where not to lien”, co-author, Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, October 20, 2008
- “Legal Specs”, Business in Vancouver VRCA Legal Supplement, September 30 – October 6, 2008
- “Point Counter Point: Warm summer days and legal risk”, co-author Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, August 27, 2008
- “The Misunderstood Builders Lien”, co-author Norm Streu, Innovation, July/August 2008
- “Legal Specs”, co-author, Norm Streu, Business in Vancouver, VRCA Legal Supplement, April 15-21, 2008
- “Point Counter Point: Understanding payment provisions in CCDC2”, co-author, Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, April 9, 2008
- “Point Counter Point: Claims for a change in contract price in CCDC2”, co-author, Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, March 3, 2008
- “Point Counter Point: Understanding the Waiver of Claims in CCDC2”, co-author Norm Streu, Journal of Commerce, February 18, 2008
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- Law Society of British Columbia, Member
- CBA – Construction Law Subsection, Member
- Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), Member
- Electrical Contractors Association of BC (ECABC), Member
- British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), Member
