Lawyers
Garth S. McAlister gsm@mcalisterhallam.com
Garth was born and raised in South Africa, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in African History and Social Anthropology from the University of Natal in Durban in January 1974. Garth graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Natal in January 1976, and was called to the Bar in South Africa before emigrating to Canada at the end of 1976.
Garth achieved a Bachelor of Law from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario in May 1981, following which he articled with Owen, Bird, a mid-sized full service Vancouver, British Columbia law firm.
After a brief time in Kelowna, British Columbia, Garth returned to Owen, Bird. He practiced as an associate from November 1982 to January 1987, at which time he became a partner, and remained until March 1999. In April 1999 Garth became a partner of Fredricksen, McAlister, a "boutique" Vancouver litigation firm.
Garth has wide experience in civil litigation, focussing on commercial litigation and administrative law. Garth works as both trial and appellate counsel, and has appeared in all levels of Courts in British Columbia, as well as in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Garth is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Vancouver Bar Association.
Iain C. Hallam ich@mcalisterhallam.com
Iain graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Degree in History in 1991, obtaining his Bachelor of Law in 1994 from the University of British Columbia.
Following articles with a small criminal law firm, Iain worked with David G. Fredricksen as an associate, assisting him in a wide range of complex commercial litigation disputes. An ongoing focus of Iain's practice is Occupiers' Liability, where he is counsel in British Columbia for a large supermarket chain. Iain has guest lectured at the University of British Columbia on Occupiers' Liability topics. From 1999 Iain's practice has become more directed at insurance defence and coverage opinions.
Iain has extensive trial experience in all levels of Court, including the Provincial Courts, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
Iain prides himself in an attention to detail, and believes that successfully representing the interests of a client, either in presenting the case at trial or in settlement negotiations, often depends upon hard work in document discovery and review.
Iain is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association.
In between cases Iain enjoys his "projects" in Halfmoon Bay, study of 19th century postal cancellations, and relaxing with his young family.
Richard T. Panton rtp@mcalisterhallam.com
Richard was born and raised on Vancouver's North Shore. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, Richard spent several years working and traveling before attending law school at the University of Calgary. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws in 2006, winning several academic awards and being named to the Dean's List in all three years of study.
Richard returned to Vancouver, articling and becoming an associate at one of Vancouver's top local law firms. He was called to the bar in 2007 and practiced for two years primarily in the area of insurance defense on behalf of a diverse group of clients in the winter sports/ recreation industry and several public Universities. He has represented clients before all levels of the British Columbia courts, as well as before the Federal Court of Canada.
Richard joined McAlister Hallam as an associate in September 2009 and practices in the areas of civil and commercial litigation. Richard has always been an active member of the pro bono community and volunteers in the Pro Bono Civil Chambers project.
When not immersed in the practice of law, Richard enjoys spending time outdoors with his young family.