Thomas W. Clifford

Partner

As an experienced trial lawyer, Thomas has represented clients in a diverse range of legal fields, including commercial, insolvency, wills and estates, defamation, strata disputes, construction, and insurance. He has extensive experience and success arguing cases on behalf of individuals and corporations at all levels of court in British Columbia and in the Federal Court of Canada. Since 2018, Thomas has focused his practice on commercial litigation and commercial bankruptcy & insolvency.

Thomas offers a client-focused approach, understanding desired outcomes and creating a tailored, yet dynamic strategy for each situation. He believes every step in the litigation process must have a purpose and advance the ultimate goal of the client, while ensuring the client feels informed and confident. Thomas’s clients value his practical, well-reasoned advice, and often commend him for his calm demeanor, patience, and ability to quickly identify key issues in complex disputes.

As a provincial champion snowboarder in halfpipe and boardercross, Thomas knows what it takes to win, and applies this competitive mindset to his practice of law.

Prior to joining Fraser Litigation Group, Thomas practiced with a major regional firm in Vancouver focusing on general commercial disputes and bankruptcy & insolvency.

Representative Work

Arbutus Investment Management Ltd. v. Russell, 2021 BCSC 72 – acted as counsel in a five-day summary trial resulting in the dismissal of all allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract.
Obsidian Advisory Group Inc. v. Chen, 2021 BCSC 1921 – acted as counsel in successfully obtaining security for costs against two corporate Plaintiffs in an action alleging conspiracy.
Solid Holdings Ltd. v. Grant Thornton Limited, 2019 BCCA 231 - acted as co-counsel to a court-appointed receiver in a successful application for a bankruptcy order against a debtor company with mining operations in British Columbia and abroad. In a unanimous decision, the British Columbia Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the debtor company, thereby affirming the law for a single creditor to obtain a bankruptcy order.
Copytrack Pte Ltd. v. Wall, 2018 BCSC 1709 – acted as counsel in successfully defending an application for summary judgment with respect to the erroneous transfer of 530 Ether Tokens, a form of cryptocurrency, instead of 530 CPY Tokens, another form of cryptocurrency with a far lesser value.
Dong v. Hofer, 2018 BCSC 77 – acted as counsel in successfully defending a 20-day trial resulting in the dismissal of all allegations of defamation.
Radiant Global Logistics Inc. v. Border Express Services Ltd., 2018 BCSC 1817 – acted as counsel in successfully registering a US$1.4-million Washington State judgment in the British Columbia Supreme Court and imposing post-judgment interest at the rate of 8% as opposed to the registrar's post-judgment rate set pursuant to s. 7 of the Court Order Interest Act.
Acted as counsel in a hearing before the British Columbia Securities Commission for the revocation of a cease trade order.
Acted as co-counsel to the trustee in bankruptcy of a British Columbia based financial services company.
Acted as co-counsel to a multinational private equity business in Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings.
Acted as co-counsel to a secured creditor in obtaining an order appointing a receiver of the property, assets and undertakings of a bison farm in northern British Columbia.
Acted as co-counsel to a creditor in a successful application for a bankruptcy order in respect of a $1-million debt.
Acted as co-counsel to a foreign judgment creditor regarding the registration and enforcement of a $19-million judgment.
Acted as co-counsel to a creditor in a successful application for a bankruptcy order in respect of a $7-million debt.
Acted as co-counsel to a creditor in a successful application for bankruptcy order in respect of a $500,000 debt.
Acted for families and individuals in various complex estate matters.
Acted for corporations and individual shareholders in various disputes, including oppression claims and derivative actions.
Successful mediation of claims including, commercial and property disputes.

Professional Affiliations

Law Society of British Columbia (2014)
Canadian Bar Association
Volunteer, Access Pro Bono
Member, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
Member, St. George’s Old Boys’ Association

Publications

“British Columbia Court of Appeal Affirms Law for Single Creditor to Obtain Bankruptcy Order,” Insolvency Insider (August 12, 2019).

Contact

T +1 (604) 343-3105
tclifford@fraserlitigation.com
LinkedIn Profile