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About Karine

Karine is an experienced litigator with specific expertise in defending class actions and in product liability, consumer protection, commercial and competition/antitrust cases. Recent examples of Karine’s representative work include successfully opposing a certification application seeking to certify a proposed national class action regarding personal care products, and successfully obtaining a stay of a proposed class action prior to the certification stage in a case regarding video games.

Karine has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia and has provided assistance on matters before the Supreme Court of Canada. She has trial experience and regularly appears in chambers in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Select Experience
  • Defending national class proceedings, including product liability, pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer protection, competition/antitrust, data breach and privacy claims

  • Successfully opposing a certification application in a proposed national class proceeding in relation to allegations regarding a personal care product and personal injuries

  • Successfully striking the majority of a plaintiff's evidence in a proposed class proceeding as inadmissible prior to certification

  • Successfully obtaining a stay of a proposed consumer class action in a case involving video games on the basis that the governing terms of service contain a mandatory arbitration clause

  • Successfully obtaining leave to appeal a "sequencing" decision of a case management judge in a proposed class action regarding the hearing of pre-certification applications

  • Successfully obtaining interim injunctive relief requiring a defendant to comply with the terms of a services agreement, thereby allowing the client's business operations to continue unaffected during a breach of contract dispute

  • Co-counsel at trial defending claims arising out of property disclosure statements in a real estate transaction

  • Successfully representing corporate clients in confidential arbitration hearings

  • Defending a publicly listed company in a claim involving allegations of fraud, negligence, and conspiracy

  • Representing financial institutions in prosecuting and defending claims with respect to conduct of investment advisers, regulatory oversight, and contractual relationships

  • Representing a biotechnology company in the cannabis industry in defending claims by a competitor relating to breach of confidence and related claims with respect to testing methodologies

  • Representing an international pulp producer in an action against a former director and competitor alleging improper use of confidential corporation information, breach of fiduciary duties, and loss of opportunity as a result of the defendants' conduct

  • Assisting with the successful resolution of a claim against a pharmaceutical company client following the recall of a pharmaceutical drug

Awards & Recognition

Karine is recognized as a leading lawyer in the following publications:

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 (Leading Lawyers to Watch – Class Actions)

  • Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys 2023 (Future Star)

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada 2022 (Corporate and Commercial Litigation)

Professional Activities

Karine is a member of the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia (CBABC) Branch and is the chair of the CBABC's Class Action Section.

Karine is an executive member of the Advocates' Club, a group of Vancouver litigators who regularly meet with members of the British Columbia judiciary to discuss recent legal developments.

Karine is the vice chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association – North and West Vancouver Branch.

Karine is a member of the Firm's Associates Committee and is actively involved in the mentorship, professional development and growth of associates.

Karine acts as a mentor within the Firm and to law students. She has been recognized as a "Mentor of the Year" for her involvement with the joint CBA/UBC Law Students Mentorship Program. Karine also provides pro bono legal advice to individuals, societies, and non-profit organizations.

Publications
Professional Appearances
  • Speaker : Consumer Protection Class Actions in Canada
    Blakes Business Class Seminar, February 22, 2024.
  • Speaker : Business Disputes: Key Canadian Rulings of 2023
    Episode 30, Blakes Sound Business Podcast, December 20, 2023.
  • Speaker : Top Class Action Cases and Trends in Canada
    Blakes Business Class Seminar, December 12, 2023.
  • Speaker : Climate Change Class Actions
    CBABC, Class Action Section, Vancouver, British Columbia, November 17, 2023.
  • Speaker : Proactive Litigation Management
    Blakes Business Class Seminar, September 29, 2023.
  • Moderator : Litigating the Merits in Class Actions
    CBABC Class Actions Section, Vancouver, British Columbia, November 7, 2022.
  • Speaker : Guide to Class Actions
    Advocates' Club Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, September 19, 2022.
  • Speaker : Defending Consumer Protection Class Actions in Canada
    Blakes Business Class Webcast, Vancouver, British Columbia, June 7, 2022.
  • Speaker : Climate Harm Class Action Claims
    17th National Symposium on Class Actions, Osgoode, Webcast, April 22, 2021.
Media Activities
  • Interviewed : Climate change class actions already in Canada and the number is expected to grow
    Article by Zena Olijnyk, Canadian Lawyer, August 8, 2023.
Education

Admitted to the British Columbia Bar – 2009
LLB, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law – 2008
BA (Hon., History), University of British Columbia – 2005

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