Secrets of Chambers 2025

Course Chairs
Andrew P. Morrison — Shields Harney LLP, Vancouver
John Douglas Shields — Shields Harney LLP, Vancouver

About the Course Chairs
Andrew Morrison is an experienced commercial litigator who has provided candid and effective advice to clients of all sizes for more than 20 years. 

Andrew has a varied practice. He appears in many courts and tribunals including the BC Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. He is well-known for litigating disputes concerning real estate and commercial contracts, and has substantial experience handling matters involving shareholder rights, partnerships, commercial leases, employment relationships, the collection of judgment debts, conflicts of interest, fee disputes between lawyers and clients, and civil procedure.

Andrew is also an experienced mediator. He facilitates the resolution of disputes that involve modest to millions of dollars. He has also acted as arbitrator.

Andrew is a regular speaker at CLEBC and CBA events and has been a guest speaker to law students at the Allard School of Law at UBC.

John Douglas Shields was called to the BC bar in February 1985, after obtaining degrees in civil and common law from McGill. He is a Principal in Shields Harney, a commercial litigation boutique with offices both in Vancouver and Victoria. John has a varied commercial litigation practice that includes arbitrations, mediations, and civil contingency fee work, with extensive litigation experience throughout BC, the Federal Court of Canada, courts in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

John is an enthusiastic supporter of CLEBC, and is a frequent contributor both as chair and presenter at CLE courses, including topics on mastering evidence, affidavit practice, Chambers practice, and creditors' remedies. He has contributed articles to the Advocate and his CLE paper on Affidavits has been described by a Justice of the SCBC as "worth its weight in gold."

He enjoys mountain biking, pickle ball, and his house in Burgundy.

Faculty
Justice Trevor C. Armstrong — Supreme Court of BC, New Westminster
Associate Judge Lawrence Robinson — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
The Honourable Justice David C. Harris — BC Court of Appeal, Vancouver
J. Kenneth McEwan, KC — McEwan Partners LLP, Vancouver
Julia W. Riddle — Arvay Finlay LLP, Vancouver