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Ravi Hira K.C.

Ravi Hira K.C.

May 5, 2017

Ravi Hira K.C.

Ravi Hira K.C., is a partner at Hira Rowan LLP. Prior to founding Hira Rowan LLP in April 2016, Ravi was a partner at another boutique litigation firm in downtown Vancouver.

Ravi was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 1998. He was Crown Counsel from 1982 to 1988 and a Commissioner with the British Columbia Securities Commission from 1992 to 1994. Ravi was a Director of the British Columbia Law Institute from 1997 to 2004 and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Centre for Criminal Law and Reform and Criminal Justice Policy as well as an elected member of the Canadian Bar Association National and Provincial Council. He was a member of the University of British Columbia Senate from 2000-2003 as well as the “Council of Investigative Excellence” for the Canadian Police College from 2001-2005. He was appointed by the Attorney General of British Columbia and the Law Society of British Columbia to the List of Special Prosecutors from 2007 to 2015. Most recently, Ravi was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia for a two-year term commencing January 1, 2024.

Ravi’s practice consists exclusively of counsel work. It includes complex commercial litigation cases, criminal defence cases, prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney General of British Columbia, and administrative law cases relating to professional discipline, political ethics, public inquiries, and other regulatory matters. Ravi has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Outside of his extensive contributions to the legal community, Ravi actively participates in running, squash, tennis, cycling, golf and skiing. He also enjoys chess and has competed in Provincial Championships.

Direct: 604-800-8022
E-mail: rhira@hirarowan.com

Recent Decisions

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More Notable Decisions
  1. R. v. Hira, [1981] CarswellBC 72, 11 M.V.R. 154, 27 B.C.L.R. 279, 5 W.C.B. 502 (B.C. Co. Ct.)
  2. R. v. Hira, [1981] CarswellBC 2388, 7 W.C.B. 112 (BCCA)
  3. R. v. Thind, [1984] CarswellBC 2586, 13 W.C.B. 124 (B.C. Co. Ct.)
  4. R. v. Shkwarok, [1984] CarswellBC 1833 W.C.B. 125 (B.C. Co. Ct.)
  5. R v. Morrow, [1985] CarswellBC 2251, B.C.W.L.D. 635 (BCCA)
  6. R. v. Powell, [1985] CarswellBC 1391 B.C.W.L.D. 1851, 14 W.C.B. 123, (BCCA)
  7. R. v. Lloyd, [1985] B.C.W.L.D. 1927, B.C.W.L.D. 1929, 14 W.C.B. 175 (BCCA)
  8. R. v. Popoff, [1985], CarswellBC 1112, B.C.W.L.D. 2670, 14 W.C.B. 290 (B.C. Co. Ct.)
  9. R. v. White, [1985] CarswellBC 1350, B.C.W.L.D. 2312, [1985] B.C.W.L.D. 2318, [1985] B.C.W.L.D. 2321 (BCCA)
  10. R. v. MAM, [1986] BCJ 1262, 32 CCC (3d) 566, BCCA
  11. R. v. Smith, [1987] BCJ 1185, BCCA
  12. R. v. E. (D.W.) [1987] CarswellBC 927, B.C.W.L.D. 2874, 2 W.C.B. (2d) 339 (BCCA)
  13. R. v. DWE, [1987] BCJ 1185, BCCA
  14. R. v. Hilland, [1987] CarswellBC 1481, B.C.W.L.D. 1955, 2 W.C.B. (2d) 67 (B.C. Co. Ct.)
  15. R. v. Andrews, [1987] BCJ 1814,
  16. R. v. Keeling, [1988] BCJ 1302
  17. R. v. Baig, [1990] BCJ 3039, 58 CC (3d), BCCA, Leave
  18. Devron-Hercules v. Baichu, [1990] BCJ 1534
  19. R. v. Gatley, [1990] BCJ 1683
  20. Movsesian v. Saswan, [1991] BCJ 3470, BCCA
  21. Topple v. Topple (1991) BCJ No. 2724, CarswellBC 613 (BCSC)
  22. R. v Pearson [1991] CarswellBC 3392 (BCSC)
  23. R. v. Kim, [1992] BCJ 742
  24. R. v. Baig, [1992] BCJ 2567, BCCA
  25. R. Gatley, 1992 BCJ 1484, 74 CCC (3d) 468, BCCA
  26. R. v. Horvath, [1992] CarswellBC 1984, [1992] B.C.W.L.D. 1506, [1992] B.C.J. No. 1107, 16 W.C.B. (2d) 197 (BCSC)
  27. Hoole v. Advani [1996] CarswellBC 512, [1996] B.C.W.L.D. 933, [1996] B.C.J. No. 522, 61 A.C.W.S. (3d) 884 (BCSC)
  28. Hoole v. Advani, [1996] BCJ 731
  29. R. v. Silzer, [1996] BCJ 440
  30. R. v Bakker 1996 SCC No. 289
  31. Theodore Allan v. Whistler Brewing, [1997] BCJ 1489
  32. Smithfield’s Meat v. Lalani, [1997] BCJ 2474
  33. Theodore Allan v. Whistler Brewing (costs), [1998] BCJ 1818
  34. Bains v. Bains, [1998] BCJ 2893
  35. R. v. MOB, [1998] BCJ 560, BCCA
  36. R. v. Wilder, [1998] BCJ 1028
  37. R. v. MOB, 1999 BCCA 84
  38. Northwest Sports v. Griffiths, [1999] BCJ 637
  39. R. v. Naumenko, [1999] BCJ 2485
  40. Swamy v. Tham, No. 1, 2000 BCSC 1253
  41. Dhalla v. Dhalla, 2000 BCCA 508
  42. Swamy v. Tham, No. 2, 2001 BCSC 551
  43. Ambleside Chinese v. Strata Corporation VR 575, 2001 BCSC 1182
  44. Elks vs. Elks, 2001 BCSC 1553
  45. Elks Can v. Elks New West (Costs), 2002 BCSC 974
  46. R. v. Dosanjh, 2002 BCSC 25
  47. Meyer v. BC, 2002 BCSC 257
  48. Border Ent. v. Beazer, 2003 BCSC 49
  49. Madatali v. ICABC, 2003 BCSC 129
  50. R. v. Sauer, [2003] BCJ 3194
  51. R. v. Hannibal, [2003] BCJ 3119
  52. Zynik v. Faris, 2004 BCSC 1032
  53. Ruwenzori v. Walji, 2006 BCCA 448 BCCA
  54. Aujla v. Yellow Cab, 2006 BCCA 116 BCCA
  55. Malik v. FICOM, 2006 BCSC 723
  56. DCTB v. Original Fishboat, 2006 BCSC 1939
  57. R. v. Sommani, 2007 BCCA 199
  58. R. v Sommani, 2007 CarswellBC 2413, SCC No. 327 (Application for leave to appeal refused)
  59. Zynik v. Faris, 2007 BCSC 257
  60. Gidda v. Gidda, October 29, 2007, BCSC
  61. OMI v. Dohm Jaffer, 2007 BCSC 734
  62. OMI v. Dohm Jaffer, 2007 BCSC 1709
  63. Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (British Columbia) v Dohm, Jaffer and Jaraj, 2007 BCSC 1503
  64. Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (British Columbia) v Dohm, Jaffer and Jaraj, 2007 BCSC 1709
  65. Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (British Columbia) v Dohm, Jaffer & Jeraj, 2007 BCSC 734.
  66. Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (British Columbia) v Dohm, Jaffer and Jaraj, 2007 BCSC 1412
  67. Saggu v. Canwest Publishing Inc., 2009 BCSC 362
  68. Rundel v. British Columbia (Commissioner of Inquiry), 2009 BCCA 604
  69. Polar Bear Ice Services Inc. v. Arctic Glacier Inc., 2010 BCSC 314
  70. Intergulf Investment Corp. v. Gregory, 2010 BCSC 607
  71. Virk v. Brar, 2011 BCSC 301
  72. Braidwood Inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski, 2009
  73. Missing Women Inquiry, January-May 2012
  74. R. V. Benji, 2012 BCCA 301 (trial special prosecutor, first-degree murder)
  75. R. v. James, 2012 BCCA 162
  76. USA v. Ibrahim, 2012 BCCA 916
  77. Virk v. Brar, 2012 BCSC 1004
  78. Sandhu v. British Columbia (Provincial Court), 2012 BCSC 1064
  79. R. v. Nam Bak Enterprises and Pang, 2012 BCPC 506
  80. R. v. Jahanrkshan, 2012 BCCA 341
  81. R. v. James, 2013 BCCA 11
  82. R. v. Bergeron, 2013 BCSC 313
  83. R. v. Jahanrkshan, 2013 BCCA 128
  84. R. v. Jahanrkshan, 2013 BCCA 196
  85. R. v. Jahanrkshan, 2013 BCCA 322
  86. Ari v. ICBC, 2013 BCSC 1308
  87. Khela v. Phoenix Homes Limited, 2013 BCSC 2079
  88. Lama Lo Holdings Ltd. v. Gurnisch Development Corp., 5908 Holdings Ltd. and Ralph Schwartzman, 2013 BCSC 2224
  89. Dent (Re), 2014 LSBC 4
  90. Dent (Re), 2014 LSBC 12
  91. Dent (Re), 2015 LSBC 4
  92. R. v. Millington, 2014 BCSC 756
  93. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 143
  94. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 515
  95. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 1380
  96. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 1426
  97. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 1518
  98. R. v. Millington, 2015 BCSC 1612
  99. Cook v. ICBC, 2014 BCSC 1289
  100. Riley Park v. Waterson, 2014 BCSC 1605
  101. Dent (Re), 2015 LSBC 37
  102. Dent (Re), 2016 LSBC 5
  103. R. v. Bergeron, 2015 BCCA 396, (special prosecutor)
  104. Tucci v. Peoples Trust Company, 2015 BCSC 987
  105. Khela v. Phoenix Homes Limited; 2015 BCCA 202
  106. Derksen v Canada (Attorney General), 2015 CF 1058.
  107. McMyn v. Manulife, 2015 BCSC 2205
  108. Jiang v. Peoples Trust Company, 2016 BCSC 368
  109. R. v. Pompeo, 2016 BCPC 133
  110. Hunter West Consulting Group Inc. v. 0748697 B.C. Ltd., 2016 BCSC 1126
  111. R. v. Millington, 2016 BCCA 293
  112. Jiang v. Peoples Trust Company, 2017 BCCA 119
  113. Phoenix Homes Limited v. Takhar, 2017 BCSC 699
  114. Tucci v. Peoples Trust Company, 2017 BCSC 1525
  115. Alassia Newships Management Inc. v. British Columbia (Provincial Court), 2017 BCSC 2181
  116. Darwish v. Advancedio Systems Inc., 2017 BCSC 2456
  117. Ari v. ICBC, 2017 BCSC 2212
  118. Jiang v. Peoples Trust Company, 2018 BCSC 299
  119. 1021846 B.C. Ltd. v. Hare, 2018 BCSC 814
  120. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia v. Mehat, 2018 BCCA 242
  121. R. v. Buchanan, August 22, 2018, Provincial Court, Duncan Registry 39953
  122. Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Canada v. Alassia New ships Management Inc., SCC 38083, Supreme Court of Canada leave to appeal denied
  123. Rolin Resources Inc. v. CB Supplies LTD, 2018 BCSC 2018
  124. Jiang v. Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, 2019 BCCA 149
  125. Canada (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) v. Canada (Attorney General), 2019 FC 741
  126. Ari v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, 2019 BCCA 193.
  127. Plaza 500 Hotels LTD v. Millgate Limited, 2019 BCSC 1295.
  128. Jiang v. Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, 2019 BCCA 347.
  129. Ari v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, 2020 BCSC 1087.
  130. Tucci v. Peoples Trust Company, 2020 BCCA 246.
  131. Jiang v. Peoples Trust Company, 2020 BCSC 1644.
  132. 0981352 BC LTD v. Sarpal, 2020 BCSC 1881.
  133. 0981352 B.C. Ltd. v Sarpal, 2021 BCSC 417
  134. Ari v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, 2021 BCCA 180
  135. Dosanjh v Binpal, 2021 BCSC 1523
  136. Jiang v Peoples Trust Company, 2021 BCSC 2193
  137. Jiang v. Peoples Trust Company, 2022 BCCA 40
  138. Aubichon v. Grafton, 2022 BCCA 77
  139. Taj Park Convention Centre Ltd. v Sher-A-Punjab Community Centre Corporation, 2022 BCSC 473
  140. R. v. Mason, 2022 BCPC 67
  141. Ari v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, 2022 BCSC 1475
  142. R. v. Mittelsteadt, 2023 BCPC 24
  143. Bienvenu v. Canada (Attorney General), 2023 FC 175
  144. Prokam Enterprises Ltd. v. British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board, 2023 BCSC 606
  145. Sandhu vs. Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, 2023 BCSC 640

Public Inquiries as Counsel for Interested Party or External Commission Counsel

  1. British Columbia Conflict of Interest Commissioner Inquiry into Premier Glen
    Clark, January 25, 2001.
  2. Office of the Ethics Commissioner: The Grewal – Dosanjh Inquiry, January
    2006.
  3. Braidwood Commission Inquiry into The Robert Dziekanski Tragedy – May
    20, 2010.
  4. Oppal Inquiry into Missing Women – November 19, 2012.
  5. National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls –
    June 3, 2019.
  6. Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in BC – June 15, 2022
  7. British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board Inquiry into Allegations of Bad
    Faith and Unlawful Activity – June 2022

Areas of Practice

  • Regulatory and Administrative Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Professional Negligence
  • Employment Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Environmental Claims

Appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel)

  • January 1998

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 1982

Education

  • University of British Columbia
    • L.L.B. – 1981

Member

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association

Academic Achievements

  • Alan S. Gregory Memorial Scholarship, 1980: This scholarship is awarded for advocacy in the Grand Moot Competition.
  • Dean’s Honour Roll, Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration: 1977 and 1978.
  • The University of British Columbia Scholarship Fund, 1978-1979.
  • The University of British Columbia Scholarship Fund, 1977-1978.
  • The Koerner Scholarship, 1976.
  • The Royal Institute Scholarship, 1975.
  • The North Vancouver Centennial Scholarship, 1975.
  • British Columbia Government Scholarship, 1975.
  • Reach For the Top Scholarship: 1973, 1974, and 1975.
Publications
  • British Columbia Annual Criminal Practice, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,2004, 2005 ,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 co-authored with the late Mr. Justice Bouck, Judge Alexander, Ms. Ainslie QC, and Mr. Rankin.
  • “Impact of McNeil on Criminal Disclosure Cases” by Sarah Conroy and Ravi Hira; November 23, 2011, for the Canadian Institute’s Western Canada Conference on The Law of Policing, November 29 and November 30, 2011.
  • “How Much is Too Much?  Legal Principles Governing Police Use of Force” by Brendan Morley and Ravi Hira; November 9, 2010, for the Canadian Institute’s Western Canada Conference on The Law of Policing, November 23 and November 24, 2010.
  • “Recent Revelations and References regarding Judicial Independence”; November, 2002, 2002 Conference of the Judicial Justices of the Peace.
  • “Crown Privilege: A Brief History from Absolutism to Judicial Review” by Kent Wiebe and Ravi Hira; October, 2002, Canadian Police College.
  • “Recent Judicial Remediation of the Waste Management Act”; December 4, 2001, Urban Development Institute.
  • “A Checklist for Objections” by W. B. Smart, Q.C. and Ravi Hira; Advocacy Conference, Continuing Legal Education Society, 2001.
  • “A Brief Summary of the Law Relating To Experts In Sexual Assault Cases” by Kathryn Seely and Ravi Hira; Sexual Assault/Abuse: “A Cross-Disciplinary Approach”; Continuing Legal Education Society, 2000.
  • “Is `Voluntariness Being Displaced By The `Right To Counsel’ And `Fairness’ “?  Advocate, Volume 55, Part 2, page 199 (March 1997).
  • “The Crown’s Discretion to Charge–Can It Be Reviewed?”  Advocate, Volume 44, page 819.
  • Book Review on “Appearing For The Crown”, P.C. Stenning, Advocate, Volume 45, page 83.
  • “Criminal Code Drinking And Driving Offences”; Impaired Driving; Continuing Legal Education Society, 1987.
  • “Jury Selection”; Criminal Jury Trials; Continuing Legal Education Society, 1988
  • “Proof Of Documents” by A.G. Henderson, updated April 1989 by W.B. Smart and Ravi Hira; Criminal Evidence, Continuing Legal Education Society; 1989

I. Bruce Josephson K.C.

I. Bruce Josephson K.C.

Mar 4, 2017

I. Bruce Josephson K.C.

The Honourable I. Bruce Josephson K.C. is associate counsel at Hira Rowan LLP. He assists the firm’s lawyers on complex matters and his services are also available to the profession as an arbitrator, mediator and consultant. Bruce is available for all types of mediations.

Bruce was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1969, after which he practiced civil and criminal litigation. He was appointed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia in 1975, on which he sat for 14 years, including serving as the Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court from 1984-1988 and the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court from 1988-1989. In October of 1989, he was appointed to the County Court of British Columbia, and after the merger of the Superior Courts in July 1990, he presided as a Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He retired from the Supreme Court in April 2017.

During his 42-year judicial career, Bruce dealt with a full range of litigation matters, including criminal, civil and family claims. He has extensive mediation training, and he has written for legal publications and spoken at professional and academic gatherings on wide range of legal topics.

Direct: 604-800-8043
E-mail: ibj@hirarowan.com

Areas of Practice

  • Arbitration
  • Mediation
  • Consultant

Appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel)

  • January 2021

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 1969

Education

  • University of Saskatchewan
    L.L.B. 1968

Member

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association

Mark Rowan

Mark Rowan

Jan 2, 2017

Mark Rowan

Mark Rowan is a Associate Counsel at Hira Rowan LLP.  He was a partner at Hira Rowan until January 1, 2024. Prior to founding Hira Rowan LLP in April 2016, Mark was a partner at another boutique litigation firm in downtown Vancouver.

Mark was called to the bar of British Columbia in 1986 after graduating from the University of Western Ontario Law School in 1985.  Between 1986 and 1990 Mark practiced in the areas of Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation.  From 1990 until 2001 Mark was a prosecutor for the Province of British Columbia.  While working as a prosecutor Mark prosecuted Criminal Code offences and environmental offences.  Between 2001 and 2008 Mark was heavily involved in the resolution of Indian Residential School claims.  Since 2008 Mark has been focusing on the defence of environmental and other regulatory offences, plaintiff’s personal injury and civil litigation.

Mark has a very broad litigation practice and a great deal of experience in acting for individuals and corporations, both large and small. Mark has appeared on behalf of clients at all levels of Court in British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada

Direct: 604-800-8024
E-mail: mrowan@hirarowan.com

Recent Decisions

Areas of Practice

  • Administrative Law
  • Regulatory Defence
  • Criminal Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Personal Injury

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 1986

Education

University of Western Ontario

  • L.L.B. 1985

Member

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Vancouver Bar Association

Volunteer

  • Past-President of the Marineview Housing Society and the Chesterfield House Society
  • Vice President of the West Vancouver Youth Band
  • Access Pro Bono Law

Activities

Mark was a downhill racer, speed skier and professional mountain biker. Presently Mark skis, hikes and bikes for pleasure.

Kyle Bienvenu

Kyle Bienvenu

May 4, 2016

Kyle Bienvenu

Kyle Bienvenu is a Partner at Hira Rowan LLP. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Kyle articled with a leading national firm and worked as an associate at a boutique construction litigation firm.

Kyle is a graduate of the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law and was called to the Bar in 2013. In 2014, Kyle was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration for his service in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve. Kyle is a former vice-chair of the CBA (B.C.) Construction Law Subsection, and former elected representative of Vancouver County on the CBA (B.C.) Provincial Council. 

Kyle represents clients in a wide variety of civil disputes, including commercial litigation, construction disputes, regulatory litigation, administrative law, and professional discipline matters.

Kyle is the 2023 Winner of the Canadian Bar Association’s ‘Douglas Miller Rising Star Award‘.

National CBA Civil Litigation Section Executive – Member-at-Large

J-Kyle Bienvenu
Direct: 604-800-8021
E-mail: kbienvenu@hirarowan.com

Recent Decisions

Areas of Practice

  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Regulatory and Administrative Law

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 2013

Education

  • University of Victoria
    J.D. – 2012
  • University of Victoria
    B.A. – 2009

Member

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Canadian Bar Association

Volunteer

  • Director – DanceHouse, a program of Seismic Shift Arts Society
  • Canadian Bar Association (B.C.) Construction Law Subsection
  • CBA (B.C.) Provincial Council

Ryan Hira

Ryan Hira

May 1, 2016

Ryan Hira

Ryan is a Partner at Hira Rowan LLP. Prior to being called to the British Columbia bar in 2018, Ryan completed his articles at the firm.  He was an associate until January 1, 2024 when he became a partner.

Ryan maintains a broad litigation practice including civil litigation, commercial litigation and criminal law. He has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia and has also appeared in the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories.

Ryan is a graduate from the Robson Hall at the University of Manitoba, where he was the director and founding member of the Robson Hall Racquets Club. Prior to law school, Ryan attended the University of British Columbia where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a minor in history.

Outside of work, Ryan is an avid tennis player and has also been known to test his luck at golf and soccer.

Recent Decisions

 

Phone: 604-900-4950
E-mail: rnhira@hirarowan.com

Member

  • Law Society of British Columbia

Education

  • University of Manitoba, Robson Hall
    • J.D. 2017
  • BA in 2013 from UBC

Bar Admission

  • British Columbia, 2018