Deprecated: Function wp_make_content_images_responsive is deprecated since version 5.5.0! Use wp_filter_content_tags() instead. in /home2/silvergate/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114

Deprecated: Function wp_make_content_images_responsive is deprecated since version 5.5.0! Use wp_filter_content_tags() instead. in /home2/silvergate/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114

MEET THE TEAM

About Us

We are pleased to provide assistance with legal matters in the the following areas of law and, through our network of associates and referrals, are happy to assist or direct you to assistance on other matters as well.

Meet James Wagner, Barrister & Solicitor

James has over 10 years of experience with intellectual property law and litigation. He is a lawyer in BC, a Canadian trademark agent, and recognized before the United States Patent and Trademark Agent for trademark matters.

James has represented clients before the BC Supreme Court, Provincial Court, Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, as well as tribunals including the Employee Standard Tribunal and Trademark Opposition Board.

While happy litigating matters James looks to resolve clients disputes the most effective way possible. This has resulted in numerous settlements, license agreements, and resolving matters through mediation and arbitration.

Notable Cases

  • Large Telecommunication Company
    Assisted in review and negotiations pertaining to US patents asserted by non-practicing entities
    Consulting regarding RAND licensing agreements and proposals

  • Charitable Organization
    Drafted agreement for use of third party IP for development of internal program

  • City of Terrace and Kitasso Band v. Urban Distilleries Inc.(Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal)
    Successfully opposed summary trial application seeking to force client to rebrand their product with costs
    Continuing counterclaim on behalf of Urban Distilleries Inc.

More Notable Cases

Publications and Presentations

  • Third Party Submissions for Patent Applications Pending Before the USPTO
    Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice September 17, 2013
    Authors: James Wagner, Betty Wu
  • Licence Enforcement
    Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice 2012; doi: 10.1093/jiplp/jpr212 2012
    Authors: James Wagner
  • Dead Patents Walking – Impact of the New Duty of Good Faith During Patent Prosecution
    Paper presented at IP Summit, Vancouver, BC Fall 2008
    Authors: Aiyaz A. Alibhai, James J. D. Wagner
  • Identification and sequence analysis of six new members of the NIMA-related kinase family in Chlamydomonas
    Journal of Eukaryot Microbiology;51(1):66-72 Jan-Feb 2004
    Authors: Bradley BA, Wagner JJ, Quarmby LM. J Eukaryot
  • Characterization of the fa1-2 allele and four new members of the NIMA Kinase family from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
    M.Sc. Thesis Summer 2002
    Authors: James Wagner
  • Identification of Four Novel Members of the NIMA Kinase Family in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
    Poster Presentation at the 10th International Conference on the Cell and Molecular Biology of Chlamydomonas

Skills & Expertise

  • Intellectual Property
  • Trademarks
  • Trademark Infringement
  • Patents
  • Patent Litigation
  • Licensing
  • Copyright Law
  • Trade Secrets
  • Legal Opinions
  • Legal Advice
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Patentability
  • Prosecution
  • Technology Transfer
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Patent Portfolio Management

Education

  • The University of British Columbia
    LL.B., Law, 2002 – 2005
  • Simon Fraser University
    M.Sc., Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2000 – 2002
  • Simon Fraser University
    B.Sc., Major in Biology, Minor in Biochemistry, 1997 – 2000
“It was a pleasure working with you, I appreciate your meticulous and straight-forward assistance.”
Mustafa Demir, Freshmark Design & Branding Inc.

Meet Betty Wu, Associate Lawyer

Before joining Silvergate Law as an associate lawyer Betty worked at a litigation boutique in Vancouver and at a top regional firm in the Fraser Valley.

She has represented clients on civil and regulatory matters before a number of courts and tribunals, including BC Provincial Court, BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and the Canadian Federal Court.

Betty is fluent in English, Taiwanese and Mandarin and has extensive experience with cross border disputes.

Skills & Expertise

  • Civil Litigation

  • Tribunal and Administrative Appeals

  • Will & Estate Disputes

  • Intellectual Property

  • Shareholder Disputes

  • Legal Opinions

  • Legal Advice

  • Trademarks

  • Dispute Reoslution

  • Licensing Agreements

Education

  • University of Nottingham
    LL.B., (With Honors)
  • University of British Columbia
    B.A., (double major in Psychology & Asian Studies)

Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
  • Trial Lawyers Association, BC Branch
  • Vancouver Bar Association, BC Branch

Publications & Presentations

  • Third Party Submissions for Patent Applications Pending Before the USPTO
    Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice September 17, 2013
    Authors: James Wagner, Betty Wu
  • Quoted in Will Power: What You Need To Know Before Dying in B.C., Helijet BC Inflight Review

Meet Rebecca Wood, Associate Lawyer

Rebecca was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2013 and worked for a number of years at a large firm where she maintained a civil litigation practice. Originally from the Fraser Valley, she moved home and was called to the BC Bar in 2019.

She has appeared before various Boards and Tribunals as well as all levels of Court in Saskatchewan; Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

Rebecca brings extensive experience in legal research and drafting court documents.

Notable Case Experience

  • ProBono – Saskatchewan (Workers’ Compensation Board) v Gjerde, 2016 SKCA 30
    Prepared successful judicial review application on behalf of client, appearing before both the Court of Queen’s Bench and Court of Appeal 

  • Multi-Million Dollar Construction Arbitration
    Managed document discovery, prepared detailed documents and pleadings, conducted some oral discovery

  • Professional Negligence
    Assisted Senior Counsel throughout Court action including successful Trial where a client’s former lawyer and Third Parties were found negligent and responsible for close to half a million dollars in damages
    Worked on numerous instances of alleged medical professional negligence

  • Wills & Estate Disputes
    Brought successful actions against the validity of Wills, often involving testamentary capacity and undue influence
    Successfully represented executors in actions and challenges

  • Lemare Lake Logging Ltd v 3L Cattle Company Ltd [2013 SKCA 90, 2014 SKCA 35, and 2013 SKQB 278]Successfully assisted client in responding to a receivership application brought under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Skills & Expertise

  • Civil Litigation

  • Commercial Litigation

  • Dispute Resolution

  • Wills & Estate Disputes

  • Employment Law

  • Professional Negligence

  • Research and Writing

  • Legal Opinions

  • Tribunal and Administrative Appeals

  • Insurance Law (excluding Automobile)

Education

  • University of Saskatchewan
    JD (Law),(With Distinction), 2009 – 2012

  • Simon Fraser University
    B.A., (with Honours), 2003 – 2007