We are Vancouver-based criminal defence lawyers who are highly experienced and dedicated to our craft.

We have successfully defended people facing virtually every sort of charge in every level of court in British Columbia. We have also acted as “ad hoc” prosecutors, which allows us to see cases from both sides.

From minor offences to large-complex cases, appeals, and judicial reviews, our experience and skill enable us to put you in the best position possible to advance your interests.

Learn more about us and meet the team.

Practice Areas

Because there are strict time limits within which important challenges must be filed, many driving offences require immediate legal attention. We can help protect your rights and driving privileges. Driving law is a cornerstone of our practice. With decades of experience defending and prosecuting driving offences, lawyers across Canada seek our expertise to win driving cases.

Sexual activity is only legal when all sides consent. The age of consent in Canada is 16 years, and does not apply when there is a relationship of trust, authority or dependency between parties. Accusations of sexual misconduct can result in serious jail time, reputational damage, and registration in the National Sex Offender Registry. A delicate and highly complex area of law, our approach to defending sexual offences is equally tactful, flexible and effective.

Some of the most serious offences under Canadian criminal law, violent offences can carry significant jail time or even life imprisonment upon conviction. But violent charges can be won. We’re at our best when the stakes are high. With our collective approach and some of the foremost violent crime lawyers in Vancouver on our team, we provide a formidable defence to violent charges.

Drug charges can be life altering. Drug convictions can lead to fines, jail time and criminal records, which could permanently impede your ability to travel and secure gainful employment. From simple possession to large-scale trafficking and conspiracy, our skilled drug lawyers take a team-based approach to defending all manner of drug charges. Your defence is strengthened by the skill and insight of multiple lawyers, fluent in all available strategies and defences.

If you suspect you’re under investigation for white collar crime, you should contact a lawyer immediately. Depending on the value of the subject of the offence and the level of trust breached, you could face fines, jail time, criminal records and career ending reputational damage. Our experienced theft and fraud lawyers work together to help you avoid a criminal conviction and salvage your reputation.

From Our Blog

Blog
Pender Litigation Welcomes New Principals

Pender Litigation is delighted to announce that Stephanie Dickson, Frances Mahon and Meghan Forhan have become Principals of the firm.

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Language Rights

An accused person has a right to an English, French, or in some cases, a bilingual trial, which includes a preliminary inquiry or a sentencing hearing. This right is set out in section 530 of the Criminal Code (Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46) Section 530) (“Section 530 Rights”).

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The Right to Counsel

Immediately upon arrest or detention, police must undertake specific informational and implementational duties intended to facilitate the fulfillment of the s. 10(b) Charter right to counsel.

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Adult witnesses testifying to allegations from when they were children

Where an adult is testifying as to events which occurred when they were a child, their credibility should, in general, be assessed according to criteria applicable to them as an adult witness.

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Failure to Call Evidence Leads to Adverse Inference Against the Accused

Our latest Canlii Connects case summary considers a case from the Manitoba Court of Appeal (R. v. McLean, 2022 MBCA 60) where an accused was faulted for not calling evidence to corroborate his version of events. The case provides a nice example of when an accused can have their failure to call evidence held against them.

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Improper Application of Judicial Notice Leads to New Trial

Our latest Canlii Connects case summary considers a case from the Alberta Court of Appeal where a new trial was required because the trial judge went too far in applying Judicial Notice to make factual findings without evidence.

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