Education
1973, LL.B., University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law, Awarded
Bar Admission
January 1996, Appointed Queen's Counsel
1994, Yukon
1974, British Columbia
Profile
Practised with Sutton Braidwood and merged firm Richards Buell Sutton LLP to date
Jim Vilvang is a partner in the Litigation group at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. His preferred areas of practice are Civil and Criminal Litigation with an emphasis on personal injury claims. Jim graduated with his LL.B. from The University of British Columbia in 1973. He was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 1974 and the Yukon in 1994. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in January of 1996. He has been a Qualified Commercial Mediator since 1994.
Jim has been a distinguished and recognized trial lawyer for over 30 years and is highly regarded by all sectors of the bar for his work ethic, insight, and love of the legal profession. His clients hold him in equally high regard, thanking him for his concern, consideration and frequent communication. "The key thing is organization. Ninety per cent of what happens in a courtroom is pre determined by preparation. That's the key. A good understanding of the rules of evidence is also important." His greatest strength as a trial lawyer is his ability to learn. "Experience is important but you always have to keep learning from your losses as well as your wins."
The most important thing to Jim for his clients is that they are objectively advised before they go to trial. "I don't build expectations to an unrealistic level. The best client is easy to contact and communicate with, takes an interest in their own case and accepts their lawyer's advice."
Jim is one of the founding partners of RBS. "It's a nice atmosphere, comfortable, a good fit. I like the partners, the general ethic, the attitude towards work, business and partner relations."
Jim notes how he and RBS distinguish themselves in servicing their clients. "We have an efficient system for moving cases to trial. Each case gets my personal attention. We devote the proper energy and resources to putting together the appropriate medical and employment documentation to substantiate the case. We communicate frequently and we are accessible. I always use my negotiating skills to try to achieve a favourable settlement but if the case does go to trial we'll do a good job."
Jim has a family with three children, the oldest of whom is attending law school in Australia. He enjoys playing hockey, horseback riding, running, and working out.
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury and Criminal Litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury claims
Qualified Commercial Mediator since 1994 (conducted over 650 mediations to date)
Articles, Speeches and Seminars
• Speaker, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia Seminar: Jury Trials - The 17 Essential Habits of Highly-Successful Trial Counsel, paper "Ethical Issues with Juries and How to Properly Deal with Them", May 21, 2010
• Speaker, Trial Lawyers Seminar: Preparing Lay Witnesses for Trial, October 26, 2007
• Speaker, 3rd Advanced Legal Negotiation: Planning and Preparing for Negotiation: How to set your targets prior to Negotiation, October 22, 2007
• "Closing addresses" Jury Trials - the Future of Litigation, 1996: TLABC
• "Making objections during jury trials" - Advocacy Track, 1996: TLABC
• Editorial Advisory Board, - Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Manual, CLE
• "Chronic Pain" - Recovery magazine
• Submission to Rules Committee on direction for civil juries
• "Street smarts" - Civil Disputes - Mediation: Counsel's Role
• C.B.A. Contingency Fee Committee: prepared report and submissions to Law Society
• The Successful Personal Injury Practice - The Art of Negotiation: Basic Strategies for Successful Negotiation
• Coping with Stress at Trial
• Civil Litigation Conference - 2003 - Role of Counsel at Mediation: Pre-Mediation Preparation and Positioning
• A Constant Problem: Dealing with ICBC Refusing Part VII Benefits
• Rehabilitation Options Before Trial: ICBC and Institutional Sources
• Effective Defence Tactics at Mediation of Brain Injury Cases (Nov. 20/03 CLE
• Latz Column - Make Sure to Negotiate Strategically. Not Instinctively
• Preparation for Negotiation: Pro Pace Para Bellum (If you want Peace, Prepare for War)
• Making Objections During Jury Trials
• Proving Loss of Earning Capacity for Self-Employed Individuals
• Role of Counsel at Mediation: Pre-Mediation Preparation and Positioning
• Preparation for Negotiation "Pro Pace Para Bellum" "If you want Peace, Prepare for War"
• Drafted submissions to Rules Committee on directions to Civil Juries
• Speaker, at numerous Continuing Legal Education and Trial Lawyers Association of BC seminars
Professional / Business Affiliations
Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia - Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2003
President, B.C. Branch of Canadian Bar Association, 1988-1989
President, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, 1993-1994
Bencher, Law Society of B.C., 2002-present
Member, American Trial Lawyers Association
Co-Chair, 11th Commonwealth Law Conference Organizing Committee, Vancouver, B.C. held in August 1996
Member, Executive Committee - B.C. Branch of Canadian Bar Association, 1985-1990
Canadian Bar Association, National Executive, 1986-1987; 1990-1992
Member, Board of Governors of Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
Co-Chair, B.C. Branch Provincial Mid-Winter Meeting, 1986 and 1987
Chair, Canadian Bar Association National Mid-Winter Meeting held at Whistler, 1992
National Legal Aid Liaison Committee, 1989-1991
Attorney General's Committee to Hire Supreme Court Masters, 1989
Attorney General's Committee on Court Reporting, 1991-1992
Canadian Bar Association Contingency Fee Committee: prepared report and submissions to Law Society
Member, Editorial Advisory Board of Continuing Legal Education Publication; Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Manual, 1996-2003
Co-Chair, Person Injury Conference (CLE), May 1994-2003
Community
Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club
Southlands Riding and Polo Club