Lawson Lundell's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Blog follows new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Practice Expertise
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation
Areas of Practice
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation
Profile
Laura is an experienced commercial litigator specializing in complex litigation and dispute resolution. Laura handles a wide range of high-profile disputes, including public and private law matters. Laura has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia and as counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada. Laura has also appeared before the British Columbia Securities Commission tribunal in administrative matters.
Laura's practice is marked by her clear communication, meticulous preparation, and strategic thinking. She is known for her ability to navigate the complexities of litigation while achieving efficient and favorable outcomes for her clients. Her deep understanding of dispute resolution methods, combined with her extensive courtroom experience, allows her to guide clients through challenging legal matters, whether through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, or trial.
From 2022 to 2024, Laura led the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group, during which she played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's approach to complex litigation, managing large-scale cases, and mentoring a team of lawyers. Her leadership was instrumental in expanding the firm's presence in the litigation space and enhancing client service across a variety of industries.
In addition to her practice, Laura is dedicated to community involvement and mentorship, fostering the development of the next generation of legal professionals. From 2017 to 2025, Laura was on the board of ShEvalesco, a non-profit organization providing life-skill programming to children, youth and emerging adults.
Laura's practice is marked by her clear communication, meticulous preparation, and strategic thinking. She is known for her ability to navigate the complexities of litigation while achieving efficient and favorable outcomes for her clients. Her deep understanding of dispute resolution methods, combined with her extensive courtroom experience, allows her to guide clients through challenging legal matters, whether through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, or trial.
From 2022 to 2024, Laura led the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group, during which she played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's approach to complex litigation, managing large-scale cases, and mentoring a team of lawyers. Her leadership was instrumental in expanding the firm's presence in the litigation space and enhancing client service across a variety of industries.
In addition to her practice, Laura is dedicated to community involvement and mentorship, fostering the development of the next generation of legal professionals. From 2017 to 2025, Laura was on the board of ShEvalesco, a non-profit organization providing life-skill programming to children, youth and emerging adults.
Bar Admissions
British Columbia (2009)
Education
Queen's University (B.A.H., 2005)
University of Ottawa (LL.B., 2008)
Areas of Practice
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
* Successfully argued that disgorgement orders made by the British Columbia Securities Commission should survive discharge from bankruptcy under s. 178(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act: Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission), 2024 SCC 28
* Successfully obtained a forfeiture order of pension monies in favour of the British Columbia Securities Commission, under the Securities Act and Pension Benefits Standards Act: British Columbia Securities Commission v. Pasquill, 2024 BCSC 2337
* Successfully defended constitutional challenges to an investigator's power to compel evidence under s. 144 the Securities Act: Brar v. British Columbia, 2024 BCCA 265
* Appeared as counsel for a gaming services operator at the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia
* Successfully defended against an application for summary judgment in the context of an ongoing claim seeking recognition of a new private law duty of crime prevention: Guo Law Corporation v. Li, 2024 BCSC 1121
* Acted for the Canadian Bar Association in the successful challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act: Canada (Attorney General) v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2015 SCC 7
* Obtained declaration regarding enforceability and transfer of a historical Net Smelter Return Royalty Agreement in the context of a concession swap for Nicaraguan mining claims. (B2Gold v. Condor Resources PLC, 2015 BCSC 1548)
* Successfully represented an equity lender in the enforcement of a complex multi-property, multi-borrower mortgage enforcement proceeding and defeated a related counterclaim. The action raised issues of unconscionability, fiduciary duty, abuse of a Power of Attorney and various statutory claims. (Canmerica Mortgage Corporation v. Yu, 2015 BCSC 773)
* Represented the Canadian Bar Association as an intervener in the B.C. Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court of Canada in a successful constitutional challenge to the application of money laundering laws to lawyers in Canada. The decision supported the protection of solicitor client privilege as a constitutional principle and established the lawyers' duty of commitment to his or her client as a principle of fundamental justice in Canada (Canada(Attorney General) v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2015 SCC 7)
* Successfully represented BC Hydro in an appeal by Zellstoff Celgar LP from a decision of the BC Utilities Commission, in which the Commission affirmed its previous decision to approve BC Hydro's Power Purchase Agreement with FortisBC (2015 BCCA 497)
Professional Associations
Recognition and Ranking
* Benchmark Canada 2021-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023-2026: Litigation - Corporate Commercial (Leading Practitioner)
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2026: Litigation - Litigation - Regulatory & Public Law (Leading Practitioner)
* Thomson Reuters 2023-2026: Stand-Out Lawyer
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2022-2026: Administrative and Public Law & Corporate and Commercial Litigation
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025: Impact Case Award for Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission)
* Benchmark Litigation 2024: Canada's 'Top 100 Women in Litigation'
Professional Activities and Experience
* Mid-Career Advocates' Committee (MASC), The Advocates' Society
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
* Law Society of British Columbia, Member
* Vancouver Bar Association, Member
* Successfully argued that disgorgement orders made by the British Columbia Securities Commission should survive discharge from bankruptcy under s. 178(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act: Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission), 2024 SCC 28
* Successfully obtained a forfeiture order of pension monies in favour of the British Columbia Securities Commission, under the Securities Act and Pension Benefits Standards Act: British Columbia Securities Commission v. Pasquill, 2024 BCSC 2337
* Successfully defended constitutional challenges to an investigator's power to compel evidence under s. 144 the Securities Act: Brar v. British Columbia, 2024 BCCA 265
* Appeared as counsel for a gaming services operator at the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia
* Successfully defended against an application for summary judgment in the context of an ongoing claim seeking recognition of a new private law duty of crime prevention: Guo Law Corporation v. Li, 2024 BCSC 1121
* Acted for the Canadian Bar Association in the successful challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act: Canada (Attorney General) v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2015 SCC 7
* Obtained declaration regarding enforceability and transfer of a historical Net Smelter Return Royalty Agreement in the context of a concession swap for Nicaraguan mining claims. (B2Gold v. Condor Resources PLC, 2015 BCSC 1548)
* Successfully represented an equity lender in the enforcement of a complex multi-property, multi-borrower mortgage enforcement proceeding and defeated a related counterclaim. The action raised issues of unconscionability, fiduciary duty, abuse of a Power of Attorney and various statutory claims. (Canmerica Mortgage Corporation v. Yu, 2015 BCSC 773)
* Represented the Canadian Bar Association as an intervener in the B.C. Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court of Canada in a successful constitutional challenge to the application of money laundering laws to lawyers in Canada. The decision supported the protection of solicitor client privilege as a constitutional principle and established the lawyers' duty of commitment to his or her client as a principle of fundamental justice in Canada (Canada(Attorney General) v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2015 SCC 7)
* Successfully represented BC Hydro in an appeal by Zellstoff Celgar LP from a decision of the BC Utilities Commission, in which the Commission affirmed its previous decision to approve BC Hydro's Power Purchase Agreement with FortisBC (2015 BCCA 497)
Professional Associations
Recognition and Ranking
* Benchmark Canada 2021-2026: Litigation Star
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023-2026: Litigation - Corporate Commercial (Leading Practitioner)
* Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2026: Litigation - Litigation - Regulatory & Public Law (Leading Practitioner)
* Thomson Reuters 2023-2026: Stand-Out Lawyer
* Best Lawyers in Canada 2022-2026: Administrative and Public Law & Corporate and Commercial Litigation
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025
* Benchmark Litigation Canada Awards 2025: Impact Case Award for Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission)
* Benchmark Litigation 2024: Canada's 'Top 100 Women in Litigation'
Professional Activities and Experience
* Mid-Career Advocates' Committee (MASC), The Advocates' Society
* Canadian Bar Association, Member
* Law Society of British Columbia, Member
* Vancouver Bar Association, Member
Blogs
North of 60 Blog
Our North of 60 Blog provides commentary on current legal trends and developments, and legislative updates affecting businesses in Northern Canada.
Privacy & Data Management Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Privacy & Data Management Department. We follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. We follow emerging issues, legal developments, and new technology as they impact privacy and data management. We will focus on how organizations can protect, manage and innovate with information considering the various risks, regulatory and governance requirements.
The Business Law Blog
This blog is authored by members of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. We intend to follow new and interesting issues emerging in the legal and business communities. The wide range of experience among the members of our litigation group will provide a diverse and insightful examination of current legal trends and topics. Our goal is to provide a source of valuable information and insight on a wide variety of matters for our readers.
Meet our Firms and Professionals
WSG’s member firms include legal, investment banking and accounting experts across industries and on a global scale. We invite you to meet our member firms and professionals.