Dan Coles

Background

About Dan Coles

I am a litigation shareholder (partner) at a mid-sized law firm in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. I enjoy a broad practice representing and advising clients from a variety of industries with an emphasis on construction litigation, media and defamation law, and assisting licensees in the hospitality industry. The manufacture, distribution and sale of alcohol is heavily regulated in British Columbia. One aspect of my practice involves representing and advising members of the liquor production and hospitality industry when their rights or interests come into conflict with the provincial regulators. I write an award winning blog, Alcohol & Advocacy, about alcohol related litigation and policy issues. I am an advocate for freedom of the press and other media. I regularly appear in court as counsel for national and international news organizations. I assist journalists in obtaining access to court exhibits and I oppose publication bans, sealing orders, and in camera court proceedings. I have experience with British Columbia's new Anti-SLAPP regime and the Supreme Court of British Columbia's practice directive that provides for the video recording and broadcasting of court proceedings.