Oliver B. Hamilton

Associate Counsel

“I bring a practical business perspective to my legal practice gained from working for more than a decade in a broad range of industries, both internationally and in Canada, before I began practicing law. My commercial background allows me to offer clients big-picture advice that goes far beyond the usual legal counsel.
A crucial feature of my legal services is risk management – spotting “red flags” and raising potential issues up front – followed by shrewd strategic advice. I’m skilled at securing superior outcomes for clients while balancing their competing interests; for example, resolving a commercial dispute in a manner that preserves a client’s long-term business relationships.”

Professional Background

Oliver’s legal practice focuses primarily on commercial and real estate law, capitalizing on the 13 years of international business and technology experience he gained across several sectors, including the cement, energy, steel, and transportation industries, prior to becoming a lawyer.

His business clients are diverse and include entrepreneurial start-ups, corporations, national not-for-profit organizations, and real estate developers. Oliver helps them with issues ranging from the negotiation of contracts, to share and asset purchases and sales, corporate reorganizations, shareholders’ agreements, and corporate governance.

Beyond giving solid legal advice, Oliver offers his clients extensive financial and technical knowledge, and practical business acumen. His business experience enables him to spot potential pitfalls early, and give his clients well-rounded guidance that takes the “big picture” into account.

Oliver is a registered Trust and Estate Practitioner with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Canada and has extensive experience in estate planning, estate administration, and the preparation of wills and trusts as well as successfully negotiating estate disputes to resolution.

Teaching and Publications

 Instructor, Non-profit Management Program, British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Business
 Instructor, Non-profit Management Program, Simon Fraser University
 Thesis: Hamilton, Shapiro, Vining, International Journal of Technology Management, Vol. 24, No. 4, 2002, “The Growth Patterns of Canadian High-tech Firms and Gibrat’s Law”

Expertise

 Business
 Real Estate
 Not-for-profit Organizations
 Estate Planning
 Litigation Support
 Trusts

Educational Background

 Called to the British Columbia Bar 2008
 LL.B. University of British Columbia
 B.A (Economics) University of British Columbia
 M.B.A. Simon Fraser University
 Fellow of Risk Management (FRM) designation through the Risk and Insurance Management Society of New York
 Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Canada (STEP)

Contact: Oliver@severide.com