Advanced Education and Research

University solicitors since 1908, when RBS helped draft the original University Act 

Richards Buell Sutton LLP has represented BC's largest university for more than 100 years and also represents other post secondary institutions and research organizations with respect to their research, educational and funding activities.  Our lawyers are experienced with the diverse needs of both private and public schools, community colleges, institutes and foundations.  RBS is familiar with the legislative framework and the processes involved with policy in the field of education and research.

Richards Buell Sutton LLP lawyers in our Advanced Education and Research group have provided advice to university presidents, senior administrators and their in-house legal counsel. 

What We Do

Lawyers in our Advanced Education and Research Group have specific experience in assisting institutional clients with:

  • Developing a broad range of institutional policies and procedures
  • Developing and enforcing campus regulations
  • Developing strategies for the effective commercialization of inventions and technologies developed at an institution
  • Negotiating and drafting inter-institutional collaboration and research agreements
  • Negotiating and drafting commercially sponsored research collaborations
  • Negotiating public and private funding and sponsorship agreements
  • Competitive procurement of products and services through requests for proposals and public tender
  • Planning and implementing on campus real estate development for institutional use, commercial use and market housing
  • Negotiating and drafting construction agreements
  • Drafting regulations and legislative amendments to the legislation governing universities and other institutions involved in advanced education and research
  • Establishing spin-off corporations and affiliates, as well as property and investment trusts
  • Structuring provincial, national and international affiliations
  • Eestablishing public / private partnerships (P3s)
  • Establishing scholarships, bursaries and other programs providing financial assistance to students
  • Protecting and managing an institution's intellectual property, including trade-marks, copyright, and other intellectual property rights
  • Acting as "general counsel" to universities and research institutions on a broad spectrum of legal issues that are unique to these institutions

What You Can Expect From Us

Richards Buell Sutton LLP's group of professionals understand how universities and research institutions work and the environment within which they operate because we have immersed ourselves into these institutions through secondaments as well as making ourselves available at all stages of discovery.  RBS has a clear understanding of the constraints placed on these institutions by public funding and accountability, their unique governance models and the culture of academic freedom within which they operate.   

Our Clients include:

  • Private and Public Universities
  • Private and Public Colleges
  • Medical Research Agencies
  • Genomics Research Agencies
  • Institutional Research Groups