Our People

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.

E: dbilkey@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: cmanning@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: bdriedger@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: DAhn@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: gcanniff@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: cgallardo@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: skarim@bilkeylaw.ca

Natasha joined Bilkey Law in 2018 and enjoys a broad practice in insurance litigation. She has experience with liability and damage claims in several areas, including construction, property damage, sale of goods, personal injury, and subrogation.

Originally from Kamloops, Natasha completed her J.D. at Thompson Rivers University after obtaining an M.Sc. in Medical Genetics from the University of British Columbia and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biotechnology from Trinity Western University. In her time at TRU Law, Natasha founded the Science and Law Club – the first interdisciplinary club of its kind in British Columbia – received a grant for her mixed-methods research on “Bridging the Gap between Science & Law,” and was an invited speaker at the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition where she addressed the legal requirements and scientific feasibility of creating inclusive and accessible laboratories.

When she is not working, Natasha engages with interdisciplinary science and law topics/issues and works toward starting a Science and Law Centre in Kamloops. She can also often be found in her garden, trail running, or throwing in various Scottish Highland Games throughout the Pacific Northwest.

E: nlittle@bilkeylaw.ca

Breanna obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology from the University of British Columbia before returning home to Kamloops to study law at Thompson Rivers University. She joined Bilkey Law in 2016, where she has handled various property liability matters, including Sale of Goods claims and subrogation, in addition to bodily injury claims. In her free time, Breanna enjoys playing board games with friends and watching hockey.

E: bmorrow@bilkeylaw.ca

Salona is originally from the Lower Mainland. She studied law at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops after obtaining a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Simon Fraser University. Salona started her legal career practicing with a full service law firm in Vancouver, before joining Bilkey Law in 2019. Salona practices in the area of insurance defence and understands the importance of attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and communication. She has experience resolving issues through the court system and through alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as settlement conferences, mediations, and negotiations. In her spare time, Salona enjoys practicing muay thai, yoga, hiking, and visiting local craft breweries and wineries with her family and friends.

E: snainaar@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: arowshanzamir@bilkeylaw.ca

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.

E: ESmeaton@bilkeylaw.ca