2 December 20246 minute read

DLA Piper Canada expands litigation practice with the addition of seven lawyers

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP has significantly expanded upon the strength of our litigation group with the addition of Vancouver-based partners Samantha Ip and Brian Poston. Joining Sam and Brian are a team of five litigators with an extensive background of successfully representing clients on matters in the insurance, construction, and aviation sectors, among others. The additions will substantially bolster the depth and range of our nation-wide litigation group.

“We are delighted with the arrival of this respected group of litigators to the Canadian firm,” said Robert Seidel, K.C., Canada Managing Partner. “Their varied skill set and notable experience guiding clients in a range of industries through complex litigation matters will immediately amplify our capabilities, allowing for greater opportunities to work with clients across an ever-increasing number of sectors.”

Samantha Ip - Partner

Sam has a litigation practice with extensive experience representing clients in the private insurance, construction, and engineering sectors. In her 30 years of practice, she has advised leading domestic and international insurers on a multitude of high value coverage assignments, including course of construction, directors and officers, errors and omissions, commercial property, and commercial liability policies. Sam also acts as risk management and monitor counsel on all related coverage risks. In the construction and engineering sector, Sam represents clients on all project issues, including contracting to dispute resolution. She has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, in addition to various tribunals. Among her many accolades, Sam won a precedent-setting lawsuit enforcing corporate identification principles and creating new law in Canada on insurance covenants‎.

Brian Poston - Partner

From defending diverse tort-based litigation to advising product manufacturers, airlines, operators, and overhaul/repair facilities, Brian has an insightful understanding of litigation and risk management with a particular emphasis on aviation and the aerospace industry. With over 25 years of experience, Brian advises insurers and their insureds on a wide range of operational and risk management issues, product liability, negligence, human factors, regulatory and coverage disputes. Brian attributes his affinity to aviation to being raised in Canada’s arctic and having been a reserve officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.Brian received his LL.B from the University of Alberta, has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, the Federal Court of Canada and before a number of administrative tribunals.

Sean Tessarolo – Counsel

Sean is an insurance and commercial litigation counsel known for his results-oriented approach, serving as a trusted advisor to both domestic and international insurers, insurance professionals, and businesses. With a comprehensive insurance practice, Sean adeptly leverages his litigation and analytical skills to protect and advance the interests of his insurance clients across a wide spectrum of subrogation, defence, and coverage matters. His extensive experience encompasses subrogating and defending complex property loss claims, representing professionals in liability disputes, and providing strategic counsel on complicated coverage issues. For business clients engaged in disputes, Sean offers insightful, tailored advice designed to meet their unique objectives while minimising potential risks. Sean’s experience includes acting on behalf of directors, officers and shareholders in corporate matters, real estate disputes and fraud claims.

Bo Carter - Counsel

As a specialty insurance defence lawyer and coverage specialist, Bo helps clients resolve their complex insurance disputes in a strategic, timely, and cost-efficient manner. Bo works closely with insurance companies and policyholders, offering counsel from when a claim is made to its resolution. Bo has developed a specialty in insurance coverage advice and litigation and has provided coverage advice in the context of a variety of policies, including builder’s risk (course of construction) policies, commercial general liability policies, professional liability policies, property policies (residential and commercial), motor carriers policies and crime and fidelity policies. Bo provides coverage advice through drafting opinions, reservation of rights letters, and position letters. Further, she assists clients with directing coverage investigations and monitoring the handling of ongoing claims. Bo has also represented her clients in various tribunals and all levels of court across Canada.

Denny Chung - Counsel

Denny practices in insurance, coverage, class action defence, procurement, construction, and aviation matters. He has defended design professionals and companies against professional liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, product liability, cyber liability, property damage, and general liability claims and has advised on, defended, and enforced coverage and bad faith claims for insurers and insureds. Denny acts for owners, contractors, and design professionals in all manner of realization disputes in construction projects. Denny also has experience in class action defence involving product liability and consumer protection claims.

Jacob Foster – Associate

Jacob’s practice focuses on insurance coverage and civil litigation. His insurance coverage experience includes providing comprehensive coverage advice on claims, wordings advice, monitoring, and defending and challenging coverage denials in litigation and arbitration. Jacob’s civil litigation practice is primarily focused on construction disputes and defending against professional liability claims. He has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and has represented clients in arbitrations and in matters before various tribunals and administrative bodies, the superior courts of other provinces, and the federal courts.

Imroz Ali – Associate

Imroz practices in the areas of commercial and insurance litigation, and aviation liability. He assists clients with a broad range of civil disputes including contractual claims, class action defence, insurance liability defence, and insurance subrogation. He also assists clients with mediations, arbitrations, and trials. Imroz has experience before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as the Alberta Court of Justice, Alberta Court of King’s Bench and the Federal Court of Canada and has conducted both jury and non-jury civil trials.

DLA Piper Canada is committed to the recruitment and retention of the country's top practitioners whose integrated expertise and service-driven focus will give our clients the competitive edge, wherever they do business.