About our Articled Student – Phil Dougan

Phil received a BA from Trinity Western University in 1990 and a Bachelor of Laws from UBC in 2006. He will be called to the British Columbia Bar in May 2008.

"Law is the study of life" Phil says. By this he means that there is very little in modern Canadian life that is not affected by the law in some way. There are laws about how we drive our cars, what we eat, and how we spend our money. The more a lawyer understands life, the better they can use the law to help a client. Being a good lawyer also means living life to the full.

"Diverse" is an excellent word to describe Phil's life and experience. He comes to the law having worked in business, charity and relief work. He was born in Scotland; raised in England, and has lived in Ontario, Jamaica, the Philippines and lately in Vancouver for 13 years. He is married and has seven children.

Phil is a director of the Western Canada Society to Access Justice and a member of West Vancouver Baptist Church and of Shalom seekers - a group looking for solutions to Vancouver's housing crisis.

In his "spare time" Phil enjoys home maintenance projects and gardening.

Phil's Experience includes:

Working with lawyers, judges and community groups to provide pro bono legal services to the poor
Working with young people and children
Partnering in entrepreneurial endeavours
Managing large multi-million dollar retail facilities
Working over seas and in cross-cultural settings
Volunteering for a broad spectrum of Charities and Organizations
Completing and receiving the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from Prince Philip

Recently, Phil has completed:

PLTC Bar admission course
Continuing Legal Education, Estate litigation and Planning course
CBA online course - buying and selling a business
Trial Lawyers Association of BC College of Courtroom Competence
Trial Lawyers Association of BC Winning at Trial Seminar

Phil is a member of:

The British Columbia Law Society
The Canadian Bar Association
The Trial Lawyers Association of BC