Education
1971, LL.B., University of British Columbia
1968, B.A., University of Alberta
Bar Admission
1972, British Columbia
Profile
Richards Buell Sutton LLP and predecessor firm to date
Michael Sawyer is a partner in the Real Estate group at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. His preferred areas of practice are Commercial Real Estate, Leases, Mortgages, Land Assemblies and Condominiums, Contracts and Business Negotiations. Leases currently make up more than half of his practice, along with land development and subdivisions.
Michael graduated with his B.A. from the University of Alberta in 1968. He then earned his LL.B. from The University of British Columbia in 1971 and was called to the Bar in 1972. He has practised for over 35 years with RBS and its predecessor firms exclusively. "It's a great place with great people. I have always felt a strong loyalty to the firm and believe that good things will happen from it."
That loyalty also extends to his clients, many of whom he has serviced for well over 20 years. "It's gratifying that as the clients got bigger and bigger, they stuck with me. You grow together. Loyalty goes a long way."
Growth has been a key component of Michael's enduring career. As his own practice grew, he was in the unique position of watching the law evolve and the firm, his clients and the city of Vancouver itself, all grow as well. "I first started working on 99 year leases of apartment buildings in the West End back when you were allowed to do that," he recalls. "It's exciting to see Vancouver grow. When I was at law school the TD Tower and Bentall 1 and 2 were brand new buildings, Coal Harbour had rail yards and False Creek was industrial land. The transformation is remarkable."
Michael is an avid golfer and enjoys skiing in Whistler. His wife Brenda is a school teacher who loves to travel and takes him on numerous trips. They have one daughter who holds a degree in economics and works in commercial real estate.
Areas of Practice
Commercial Real Estate, Leases, Mortgages, Land Assemblies and Condominiums, Contracts and Business Negotiations
Articles, Speeches and Seminars
• Author, "Ground Lease" Commercial Leasing Annotated Precedents, Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C., 1996, Revised 2002, 2004 and 2007
Professional/Business Affiliations
Law Society of British Columbia
Canadian Bar Association (C.B.A.)
Environmental Section, B.C. Branch, C.B.A.
Real Estate Section, B.C. Branch, C.B.A.
Fraser Institute
National Association of Investment and Office Park Developers