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and hearings. It was apparent to all who had the opportunity to work closely
with Paul that with his research and analytical skills, he would become a
very good lawyer. No one ever hesitated in assigning Paul a file. One always
knew that the client would receive the best legal advice.
During his articles, Paul spent a great deal of time working with A. Boyd
Ferris, Q.C., until Boyd passed away. Boyd introduced Paul to a number of
commercial cases, and Paul’s initial tutelage by Boyd served Paul well
throughout his career. After Boyd’s passing, Paul became heavily involved
with assisting other counsel with commercial matters, in particular arbitrations.
But his legal talents were not confined to simply commercial matters;
Paul was actively involved, along with other counsel at the firm, in legal
proceedings involving the residential schools, an experience that left an
indelible impact on Paul, professionally and personally.
Paul had the rare and remarkable ability to combine academic analysis
with a deep compassion for those forced to leave their cultures and a practical
understanding of the problems that were faced by those who went to
the schools. In the early 1990s, Paul became involved in public utility hearings
before the British Columbia Utilities Commission. When the Commission
became the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s public
regulator, Paul became commission counsel. Later, Paul became senior
commission counsel on all public utility matters and hearings.
Paul was an excellent lawyer, and his legal advice was invariably practical
and sound. So too was his advice on administrative matters in the office. He
was generally a go-to person at the firm when one needed a second opinion
on a legal issue. He played a similar go-to role with the senior administrative
staff on office-related issues. He was a simple, unpretentious man who
never took himself too seriously. He was a straight shooter. His integrity
was of the highest order. Judges could rely on what he said. Clients could
rely on what he did.
Paul’s commitment to the practice of law and the firm was demonstrated
by his commitment to its management and administration. He was a director
of the firm from September 2002 to April 2009 and again from April 2015
to January 2017. He also served intermittently as the chief executive officer
and vice president.
Of particular note is that throughout all of the inevitable office and other
employee-sponsored fundraising events, Paul always bought the tickets, the
raffles, the Girl Guide cookies and the chocolates, indeed whatever any of
the lawyers/staff were selling for their particular cause.
Paul was passionate—about his family, his work and his life. He enjoyed
gardening, cooking, eating good food and drinking good wine. His favourite