VANCOUVER, British Columbia – February 21, 2023 – Prominent trial and appellate attorney Oliver C. Hanson — widely recognized throughout Canada for delivering winning results for a host of clients involved in complex business issues and time-sensitive bet-the-company commercial disputes — will chair Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian Corporate & Securities Litigation Practice.
Hanson, who comes to the firm from Hamilton Duncan, joins as a shareholder and will reside in Cozen O’Connor’s Vancouver office. As a key player in the firm’s ongoing Canadian buildout, Hanson will focus on the retention and growth of existing clients, as well as new business development, both in Vancouver and across Canada.
“For nearly two decades, Oliver has been defending public and private corporations, partnerships, shareholders, directors, officers, boards, special committees, and professional advisers in a wide range of disputes,” said James H. Heller, co-chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. “He’s the ideal choice, therefore, to bring our U.S. practice — and its reputation for successfully handling highly complicated and consequential business litigation — to Canadian clients and courtrooms. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”
“Our litigators have built an enviable reputation of providing sophisticated counsel to a diverse array of public and private companies and entrepreneurs — from family-owned entities to the Fortune 100,” said Brigeeta Richdale, vice chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice and managing partner of the Vancouver office. “Oliver brings a similar background and reputation. I’m happy to welcome him to the Vancouver office, and I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”
“Hanson is a key part of the firm’s continued Canadian expansion and brings a national profile that will serve firm clients well,” said Shane Hardy, co-managing partner of the Toronto offices. “Oliver’s addition will clearly bolster our litigation bench throughout Canada, and adds an important dimension to our strategic vision.”
Hanson handles a wide range of litigation matters in a range of industries, including director and officer liability, media and defamation issues, corporate governance and shareholder rights disputes, fraud and conspiracy claims, partnership and joint venture issues, real property, and land use disputes, securities litigation and securities related frauds.
Oliver also advises local First Nation governments and individual council members on governance matters, including the structure and relationships between indigenous governments; administration, business, and government procedure issues; fiduciary duties of bands and band councilors; and conflicts of interest rules.
Hanson is also active in his community, having served as a trustee of the Vancouver School Board (VSB), chair of the VSB Finance Committee, and co-chair of the Vancouver Joint Child Care Council. He is also a volunteer with Vancouver Athletic Football Club.
“I am excited to join a group of like-minded, highly accomplished lawyers and help expand the Cozen O’Connor brand throughout Canada,” Hanson said. “The firm has well-recognized national and international practices across a spectrum of industries and disciplines, all of which will help me deliver a full range of services to my clients.”
Hanson earned his LL.B at the University of Alberta and his B.A at Simon Fraser University.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.
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