Education

Bar Admission

  • 2008 Admitted to the Yukon Bar
  • 1993 Admitted to the British Columbia Bar

Rob is a Partner and member of the Insurance, Class Actions, and Administrative Law Practice Groups. His primary focus lies in insurance-based liability defense, specifically in the areas of occupiers liability, product liability, and professional liability and discipline. In addition to his litigation practice, Rob is actively expanding his mediation skills and practice.

With over 30 years of experience as a litigator, Rob has honed his skills in the courtroom, appearing before the British Columbia Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court and its Court of Appeal. While he is a skilled trial advocate, Rob recognizes that most disputes are resolved through negotiation rather than litigation. This understanding has shaped his approach to legal practice, enabling him to effectively analyze and strategize from the outset of each case, ensuring effective and efficient resolutions. He takes pride in being just as persuasive in the dispute resolution process as he is during trials.

Rob’s dedication to excellence has earned him consistent recognition by The Best Lawyers in Canada in Insurance Law since 2016, and he has been listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for litigation in commercial insurance since 2020.

Rob is actively developing his mediation skills and has completed several mediation courses, including the esteemed Mediating the Litigated Case program at the Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. His extensive experience includes successfully participating in hundreds of mediations, which has deepened his commitment to understanding diverse perspectives and enhancing his listening abilities—both crucial for navigating mediation effectively and achieving amicable resolutions. If you need a mediator, please reach out to Rob at rmclennan@ahbl.ca.

As a past Chair and current member of the firm’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, Rob is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. His strong work ethic, extensive litigation background, and specialized mediation training make him exceptionally well-equipped to navigate and mediate any dispute effectively.

Rob is now welcoming opportunities for mediation work, where he can leverage his experience and skills to help parties reach amicable resolutions.

On A Personal Note...

In his spare time, Rob is an avid road cyclist and mountain biker.

Representative Experience

Personal Injury
Rob regularly serves as counsel on matters involving various types of personal injury, including catastrophic injury claims arising from product liability, professional liability, occupiers’ liability, and motor vehicle incidents. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled and resolved numerous claims in these areas, ranging from slip-and-fall accidents on residential properties to catastrophic injuries resulting from product failures or incorrect medication dispensing.

His experience has equipped him with deep knowledge regarding a wide range of medical conditions and injuries, including minor soft tissue injuries as well as severe and permanently disabling conditions such as paralysis, brain injuries, chronic pain, and psychiatric disorders. This background allows Rob to effectively gather and present the factual and expert evidence necessary to defend such cases successfully.

One of Rob’s notable recent successes in personal injury litigation was the dismissal of a high-value claim stemming from a motor vehicle accident: Helgason v. Rondeau, 2022 BCSC 1130.

Product Liability
Rob manages a diverse array of product liability cases for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. His expertise encompasses the legal and practical issues associated with product manufacturing, distribution, retail sales, and the implications of product failure. He possesses in-depth knowledge regarding the consequences of product failures, including personal injury, property damage, and economic loss, which enables him to analyze and defend or prosecute product liability actions effectively.

Professional Liability
Rob routinely represents professionals facing negligence claims, defending individuals in various fields, including pharmacists and real estate appraisers. Among his notable achievements is a significant decision by the Court of Appeal regarding the enforcement of limitation of liability provisions in professional service agreements: Kokanee Mortgage M.I.C Ltd. v. Burrell, 2018 BCCA 151.

He also frequently defends pharmacists, pharmacy professionals, and pharmacy operators in disciplinary proceedings with the College of Pharmacists of BC.

Trial Experience and Advocacy
Rob has appeared many times as counsel in the British Columbia Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, as well as the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal. His extensive trial experience is complemented by his participation in hundreds of mediations, enhanced by his comprehensive training in mediation skills and advocacy.

In addition, Rob actively conducts seminars for lawyers and law students, sharing his insights on litigation skills required for effective advocacy and case management through the firm’s internal ASCEND™ program and at the University of British Columbia.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Robert's
Focus