Firm News

2021 marks the fourth year that Susanne Raab and Brenda Osmond will be teaching the course in Medical Negligence Law as adjunct professors at the University of British Columbia.  Representing patients who have been injured as a result of medical negligence is the only work we do at Pacific Medical Law and we are excited to share our knowledge and experience with the students.

This year, the class is filled to above capacity with 32 second and third-year law students registered in the course.  Over the term, Susanne and Brenda walk students through issues of professional negligence concerning physicians, other health care professionals, and hospitals. The classes focus on helping students develop an understanding of the components of a medical malpractice action. The course considers issues of the doctor-patient relationship, consent, standard of care and causation, and explores practical issues that arise in medical malpractice actions, including the nature and function of expert witnesses, the use of documentation and difficulties of proof.  At the end of the course, students write a comprehensive exam to demonstrate their ability to identify and analyze legal issues relating to physicians, other health care professionals, and hospitals.

Although some of the students in the class have a background in health care, most enroll to broaden their exposure to different areas of the law.  Given we are one of the very few law firms in Canada that practice exclusively in the field of plaintiff medical malpractice and birth injury, Susanne and Brenda are happy to share their expertise with law students. Our goal in teaching the course is to provide students with insight into this unique and specialized area of practice, and maybe even inspire future medical negligence lawyers!

We are pleased to announce that Andrea Donaldson has joined the Board of Governors of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia. In these changing and uncertain times, it is more important than ever to join together and support trial lawyers in their efforts to promote the rights of individuals and access to justice.

Pacific Medical Law is pleased to announce that Susanne Raab has once again been recognized as a leader in Medical Negligence law, through selection by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021.  Susanne is a partner at Pacific Medical Law, and an advocate for people living with disabilities.

Susanne’s practice focuses on representing individuals and families who have suffered injuries as a result of medical malpractice, with a focus on birth injuries and catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries. Prior to joining Pacific Medical Law, Susanne spent much of her legal career representing physicians in complex medical malpractice actions. This has given her unique insight into the potential risks and legal hurdles involved in medical malpractice actions. It also helps her to be proactive in overcoming or minimizing those risks.

Congratulations to Paul McGivern  for having once again been recognized by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 in the fields of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury litigation.  Paul was included in the inaugural Canadian issue in 2007, and has been named every year since.

Paul McGivern has also been named the Best Lawyers 2021 Medical Negligence “Lawyer of the Year” for Vancouver.  This is the fourth time in six years that Paul’s accomplishments and expertise have earned him recognition as Lawyer of the Year. Best Lawyers is regarded by both the profession and the public as the definitive guide to legal excellence.  It is the oldest and most highly-respected peer review guide to the legal profession worldwide

Paul McGivern, K.C. has been invited to become a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America (the “LCA”). The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of lawyers in North America. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels and superior ethical reputation. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American Bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity, and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the Bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. In addition, the Litigation Counsel of America is dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows.

Congratulations Paul, on your inclusion in this esteemed group of accomplished lawyers!