With an economics and business law background, Brian helps our personal injury clients prove their economic losses. Good news for injured business owners and professionals. But Brian is not just a numbers guy by any means. We’ve seen him singlehandedly take on insurance companies in wrongful death trials – and win. He loves jury trials – something about “common sense” and “ordinary people always getting it right”. He hasn’t lost a jury trial yet but he has lost several pounds during each trial. It’s a lot of work. Luckily he runs and cycles to work to keep up his stamina for longer trials. He also has a standing desk at the office.
Outside the courtroom, Brian likes to keep his business law skills sharp too. He says the two areas of law are complementary. Like when you need to prove the impact of an injury on business profits. Or when learning to draft airtight contracts by seeing one ripped to shreds in court. Strong advocacy and communication skills are vital to both. That explains why, after forming a personal injury law firm with his law partner, John McKiggan, Brian continues to represent a select number of business owners and professionals many of whom have been clients for over 20 years. Brian stays with clients through thick and thin and has overseen the purchase and sale of multiple businesses. With the utmost respect and admiration for entrepreneurs, Brian even partners with some clients providing start-up and early-stage legal services in exchange for equity in their business.
Brian believes strongly in the future of our Indigenous communities and in environmental responsibility. As a student Brian spent many hours in Pictou Landing First Nation and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation as a volunteer. Even as a law student Brian researched the law of Aboriginal title and studied environmental law. These two interests came together in 2006 when Brian was retained by the Pictou Landing First Nation on a historical environmental and s.35 infringement case relating to the infamous Boat Harbour treatment facility. After several years of failed negotiations Brian launched a civil lawsuit against the Province of Nova Scotia and Northern Pulp Canada Corporation. The case is still ongoing but in 2014 the Province passed the Boat Harbour Act to end the use of Boat Harbour as a treatment facility by January 30, 2020. Brian also advises Chief and Council on business and governance issues. He sees enormous potential for the Mi’kmaw Nation to positively impact Nova Scotia in the area of environmental responsibility and economic development.
