Bio

Prior to practicing law, Gary completed his Masters Degree in Marine Biology which included thesis research in the area of sub-tidal population dynamics. At the same time, he operated his own company doing contract research and was a commercial diver. For more than 25 years, Gary has been practicing maritime law as a litigator and solicitor. He has been counsel on several major marine casualty cases and his practice encompasses all areas of maritime law, including collision, salvage, marine pollution, port state control, personal injury, class actions, vessel construction, aquaculture, tenure of sub tidal lands, charterparty disputes and marine insurance. Gary also has significant experience in the area of non-marine insurance, fire and property loss. Gary has previously advised the Government of Vietnam on their legislative regime for marine transportation and environmental management (1993–2000) and was an invited Speaker/Advisor to the Technical Working Group (Shipping, Navigation and Communication) of the Initiative for Resolving Conflicts in the South China Sea (Jakarta 1995; Brunei 1996). Gary is a Past Chair of the Maritime Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) and has taught Fisheries Law as an adjunct professor for several years at the University of British Columbia Law School. He has been a Trustee of the Vancouver Maritime Museum and Honorary Solicitor of the West Vancouver Yacht Club (2000–2010), Vice Commodore (2011), and Commodore (2012). Gary has been a regular contributor to the publication Harbour & Shipping and writes and speaks frequently to industry groups on areas of maritime law. Education: B.Sc., Dalhousie University (Honours in Biology), 1977; M.Sc. (Marine Biology), 1980; LL.B., Dalhousie University, 1985;