James M. Poyner

After graduating from law school at the University of British Columbia in 1964, Mr. Poyner was called to the bar of British Columbia in May 1965.

For the last 38 years he has practiced as a litigator at all levels of the British Columbia court system, as well as in the Supreme Court of Canada. He is a long standing member of the British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association.

Early in his career, Mr. Poyner gained extensive experience as a criminal law practitioner, both for the defense and as a crown prosecutor appointed by the Ministry of the Attorney General. His trial experience includes other areas such as labour, matrimonial, construction and securities litigation.

For the past 17 years he has focused on personal injury litigation involving automobile accidents, industrial and domestic accidents, as well as dental and medical malpractice cases.

Since the introduction of the Class Proceedings Act in British Columbia in 1995 Mr. Poyner has been heavily involved in Class Action litigation, his firm being a major force in Western Canada on the Plaintiff's side of this area of law. His firm has been directly responsible for the successful resolution of Class Actions brought in British Columbia against many major corporations such as Bausch & Lomb, Canada Life, Manulife Financial and Sun Life Assurance Company on behalf of tens of thousands of class member clients.

Over the years Mr. Poyner has also been very active in the community in civic politics and as a coach and manager of many athletic teams. He has raised 4 children, two of whom are also members of the British Columbia bar.