LEXPERT • December 2016 | www.lexpert.ca | 91
LITIGATION LAWYERS TO WATCH
Charlton, Nikki, Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP Vancouver - (604) 661-9396 - ncharlton@farris.com
Partner Nikki Charlton practices exclusively in the area of family law. She first joined Farris LLP as a summer
articling student in 2002, where she was pulled into a high-stakes divorce case. It quickly became apparent
that Charlton would be instrumental in developing a distinguished matrimonial law group at Farris. Charlton
offers services from either a collaborative or litigation approach, depending on client needs. Her practice
primarily focuses on complex property division and support, guardianship and mobility disputes. She's an
exceptional litigator and astute dealmaker, who is effective at keeping high-profile clients' business out of the
news and finding tax-effective solutions to settlements involving complex corporate structures and trusts.
Serving on the board of the BC Collaborative Roster Society, she was instrumental in developing a pro bono
collaborative project for parties going through separation who cannot afford lawyers.
Gilbert, Frédéric P., Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Montréal - (514) 397-5232 - fgilbert@fasken.com
Frédéric P. Gilbert is widely recognized for his advocacy skills in both real estate and franchise law. As a senior
partner in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group, he is among Canada's most involved and celebrated
franchise lawyers and has handled many of the country's most important franchise cases. A regular speaker
at various franchise law forums, he is also the Co-chair of the two recent developments in Franchise Law
conferences. Frequently ranked by numerous legal publications, he also teaches Québec franchise law at the
University of Montréal. Gilbert was called to the Québec Bar in 2000.
Petersen, Christian, Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP Vancouver - (604) 641-4903 - cjp@bht.com
Christian Petersen's litigation and advisory practice spans corporate and commercial law, with expertise in
handling corporate governance matters, providing strategic advice and assisting in the resolution of disputes.
His experience in commercial real estate matters involves property acquisition, use and development,
and commercial leasing. For a number of clients, he acts as external general counsel, assisting in business
operations, including risk assessment and management, contract formation, performance and termination,
business expansion and reorganization, employee management and regulatory compliance. He has appeared
as lead counsel in all trial and appellate courts in British Columbia, in courts in other provinces and before
numerous administrative tribunals in commercial arbitrations and mediations. Named one of Lexpert®'s
"Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40" in 2015 and in 2016 Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate
and Commercial litigation.
Burnett, Taryn, Gowling WLG Calgary - (403)-298-1967 - taryn.burnett@gowlingwlg.com
Taryn Burnett's practice involves all aspects of corporate/commercial litigation with an emphasis on
medical defense, product liability and insurance defense. Burnett acts as counsel for physicians on behalf of
the Canadian Medical Protective Association. She also regularly represents the interests of psychologists,
physiotherapists, accountants, engineers, architects and other professionals in defending claims arising out
of errors and omissions, insurance coverage issues and related matters. Burnett also acts as counsel on multi-
party product liability cases in various industries, including automobile, medical and consumer products. She
has acted on matters in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario and has appeared in all levels of court
in Alberta and in the Federal Court of Appeal. Burnett also represents clients in proceedings before various
administrative tribunals, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, the College of Alberta
Psychologists, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and the Office of the Information and
Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.
