Our People
David Bilkey, K.C.
Partner
David Bilkey is an industry leader with a reputation for innovation in the delivery of service to insurers and their insureds. He is an experienced trial and appellate counsel, having argued more than 200 court cases.
David has published numerous articles on insurance law. In his spare time, David is a professor of insurance law at the Thompson Rivers University Law School.
Assistant Info:
Brandy MacKenzie
E: bmackenzie@bilkeylaw.ca
Charlotte Manning
Partner
Originally from Vancouver Island, Charlotte obtained her undergraduate degree in criminology and psychology from Vancouver Island University. Following graduation from VIU, Charlotte worked as an adult probation officer in the Kootenays, before attending law school. Since joining Bilkey Law in 2012, Charlotte enjoys a diverse insurance litigation practice and has appeared in both provincial and supreme court for insurance related matters involving coverage, construction disputes/deficiencies, property and bodily injury claims as well as subrogation. Charlotte also has a niche practice in equine law. In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys three-day eventing and show jumping with her horse, Leo.
Assistant Info:
Jillian Willis
E: jillian@bilkeylaw.ca
Blair Driedger
Partner
Blair is originally from the Lower Mainland and received his undergraduate degree in history and economics from Simon Fraser University. Prior to joining Bilkey Law, Blair worked as a bail supervisor, and before that as a youth support worker. Blair joined Bilkey Law in 2012 and his practice focuses on helping clients with insurance defence work involving construction disputes/deficiencies, liability, bodily injury and property subrogation work. Blair has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia. Blair is an avid sports fan and, when not at work, Blair can usually be found on the golf course, at the hockey rink or out and about with his hound dog, Hudson.
Assistant Info:
Christine Harbidge
E: charbidge@bilkeylaw.ca
Donny Ahn
Associate
Donny grew up on the North Shore and is proud to call himself a Vancouverite. Donny received his undergraduate degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis. Following his undergraduate studies, Donny attended University of Victoria Faculty of Law and was called to the bar in early 2020. Donny joined Bilkey Law in 2021 and practices insurance defense. Donny has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia and various tribunals. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, travelling and playing sports with friends.
Assistant Info:
Morgan Hepper
E: morgan@bilkeylaw.ca
Michael Boultbee
Associate
Michael was born and raised in the west end of Toronto. He moved to Victoria after high school and graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Victoria. Michael obtained his law degree from the University of Alberta, where he was winner of the Clinton J. Ford Moot Court Competition, caseworker for Student Legal Services of Edmonton, and member of the Golden Bearristers law school rugby team.
After law school, Michael articled with a boutique civil litigation firm in Victoria. He was called to the BC Bar in 2019. Prior to joining Bilkey Law in February 2022, Michael worked as in-house counsel for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. When not at the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his pets, sampling craft beers, and watching the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Buffalo Bills.
Assistant Info:
Francine Beckenkamp
E: fbeckenkamp@bilkeylaw.ca
Edward Bowes
Associate
Edward has practiced in Vancouver for over 45 years. Following graduation from UBC Edward obtained an LL.M. from the London School of Economics as a British Commonwealth Scholar and taught at the UBC Law School before going into private practice. For the last 15 years he sat as a Judicial Justice in the Provincial Court of British Columbia and now restricts his practice to insurance litigation with Bilkey Law. Edward has appeared in all levels of court in British Columbia, obtained his private pilot’s license before his driver’s license, has kept bees for the past 35 years, and is a qualified advanced open water diver and avid skier.
Assistant Info:
Madison James
E: mjames@bilkeylaw.ca
Gillian Canniff
Associate
Gillian Canniff has practiced in a variety of areas including family law, wrongful dismissal, personal injury and insurance defence. Gillian has had the unique opportunity to work in-house with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia providing her with experience, resources and an understanding of the needs of her clients. Her strengths are her enthusiasm, work ethic and common sense approach to resolving issues. Gillian’s top priorities with her clients are clear communication, developing a trusting relationship to assist with the resolution of claims.
Gillian completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1992 at the University of Calgary. In 1995 she completed her Paralegal Diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and worked for a number of years in Calgary as a Paralegal. Gillian earned her law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2001. Gillian articled and worked in the Lower Mainland for 10 years before relocating to the Okanagan in September of 2011.
Gillian is active in the community through her involvement with Rotary. In the past, Gillian has also been an instructor with the Vancouver Community College Paralegal Program and a past Instructor with the Alberta Disabled Ski Association. In her spare time, Gillian enjoys the outdoors including camping, she also sings and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Assistant Info:
Allie Weel
E: aweel@bilkeylaw.ca
Chris Gallardo-Ganaban
Associate
Chris is originally from Vancouver. After receiving his undergraduate degree in communication from Simon Fraser University and working in the public relations and events industries, Chris attended law school at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 2019. During law school, Chris developed a keen interest in civil litigation through his involvement with Student Legal Services of Edmonton and Pro Bono Students Canada, helping represent low income individuals with their legal disputes and legal issues.
After law school, Chris articled at a full-service law firm in downtown Vancouver and subsequently joined Bilkey Law in 2020. Outside of law, Chris enjoys photography, curling, and spending time outdoors.
Assistant Info:
Lisa LaForge
E: llaforge@bilkeylaw.ca
Zhou Fang
Associate
Originally from Beijing, China, Zhou obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law in 2017, later completing his
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Zhou obtained his Bachelor of Medicine from Peking University along with his Master of Science from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China. He also worked for four years in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a research scientist where he focused on developing small molecule anti-cancer drugs. Besides law, Zhou enjoys spending time reading, travelling, and playing with his two baby girls. He is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese.
Assistant Info:
Ivy Arlantico
E: iarlantico@bilkeylaw.ca
Salman Karim
Associate
Salman obtained his Juris Doctor from the Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law in 2016 and completed his articles in early 2018 at a busy full-service law firm in North Vancouver. Salman’s practice focuses primarily on civil litigation matters where he has experience representing his clients in both the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia. At Bilkey Law, Salman assists clients with insurance defence work mainly involving personal injury claims. When not at work, Salman enjoys watching sports and relaxing with family and friends.
Assistant Info:
Kaitlyn McKay
E: kaitlyn@bilkeylaw.ca
Breanna Morrow
Associate
Raymon Pici
Associate
Ray obtained his law degree from the University of Sakatchewn in 2001 and was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2002. Aside from the one year he spent prosecuting drug related offences, Ray’s career has largely been focused on insurance litigation. He has appeared in Provincial Court, Supreme Court and the B.C. Court of Appeal. When not practicing law, Ray enjoys spending time on the Nicomekl River as member of the Nicomekl Rowing Club, playing the guitar, and hanging out with his 2 Bernease Mountain Dogs and family (in that order). Rock on.
Assistant Info:
Brandy MacKenzie
E: bmackenzie@bilkeylaw.ca
Nick Rogic
Associate
Nick joined our team in early 2022 and brings with him a practical approach to handling legal matters. He graduated from TRU in 2016 and thereafter articled with a busy lower mainland real estate firm. Afterwards he spent a few years in Ontario working in the area of civil litigation. No matter what type of practice, Nick appreciates being able to help clients get results.
He was born and raised in the Greater Vancouver area and enjoys the company of his wife and large family scattered all over the lower mainland. Apart from practicing law, Nick is an avid fan of movies, comedy and music, with a special interest in alternative rock and roll. He also enjoys watching baseball and the Vancouver Canucks (even when they are in a losing streak).
Assistant Info:
Lisa LaForge
E: llforge@bilkeylaw.ca
Arash Rowshanzamir
Associate
Arash was called to the Ontario bar in 2013 after completing his articles at the Department of Justice in Toronto. Since then, he has worked primarily in the field of insurance defence and has represented insurers in all manners of proceedings that are predicated upon a claim of personal injury. These include tort and accident benefits disputes involving individuals as well as priority disputes and loss transfer proceedings between insurers.
He has appeared regularly before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), and the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). Since transferring to British Columbia in 2017, he has appeared regularly before the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Arash graduated from the University of Toronto in 2008 with High Distinction and was awarded a Silver Medal from St. Michael’s College. During his time at Queen’s Law, Arash received the Brown & Korte Barristers Scholarship for highest standing in Insurance Law as well as the K. Venkata Raman Memorial Scholarship for highest standing in International Economics.
Assistant Info:
Lenna Aria
E: laria@bilkeylaw.ca
Emily Smeaton
Associate
Originally from the rural city of Camrose, Alberta, Emily obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in French from the University of Alberta. Prior to attending law school at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Emily spent two years travelling the world including spending two months working on a turtle conservation in Indonesia, hiking and mountain biking in Peru, and eating her way through Western Europe.
Emily articled at a full-service firm in Penticton, BC and subsequently joined Bilkey Law in 2020, primarily working in personal injury. In her spare time, Emily enjoys visiting local wineries, cheering for the Oilers, and hiking with her dog, Artemis.
Assistant Info:
Kaitlyn McKay
E: kaitlyn@bilkeylaw.ca