Christopher J. O'Connor, Q.C., C.Arb., FCIArb.
Phone(604) 640-4125Fax(604) 622-5825
Emailcoconnor@blgcanada.com
Background
Chris O’Connor is a commercial litigation partner at our Vancouver office. Mr. O’Connor was admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1977. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Juris Doctor in 1976. Prior to that, he received a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from Carleton University in 1973.
Areas of Practice
- Mr. O’Connor practices in the area of commercial litigation with a focus on construction law, fidelity and surety bonds, insurance defence, commercial fraud, banking, arbitration and mediation (emphasis on commercial disputes).
Professional Experience
- Is the National Leader of the Litigation Department.
- Has extensive experience in advising owners and contractors with respect to construction disputes, delay claims and all forms of construction disputes.
- Advises sureties with respect to contractor defaults and L&M bond claims.
- Advises fidelity insurers with respect to coverage issues under brokers blanket bonds, bankers blanket bonds, and subrogation claims arising from such disputes.
- Has acted in the field of arbitrations and mediations and sits frequently as an arbitrator; has extensive experience as a mediator and as an arbitrator in all manner of international and domestic commerical disputes.
- Is active in major matters such as the Capilano Twin Tunnel Project, the Lions Gate Bridge Re-Decking, The Millenium Line, the Save-On Foods roof collapse, construction of manufacturing plants, construction of the Expo 86 ALRT guideway, the failure of post-tension cables in buildings, claims arising out of the construction of hydro facilities, wastewater treatment plants, and bridges, highways and recreational centres.
- Acts for various parties in the leaky condo crisis in British Columbia including the Ministry of Education with respect to leaky schools.
Professional and Community Activities
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London, England.
- Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and a founding Governor of the College.
- National Litigation Department Leader.
- Member, BLG's National Council.
- Accredited the designation Chartered Arbitrator by the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Canada.
- Accredited mediator and arbitrator at the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre.
- Listed in the Lexpert survey as one of the leading 500 lawyers in Canada.
- Holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell
