Background
Deborah Overholt is a Partner at our Vancouver office. She was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1990 after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Laws in 1989. Prior to that, Deborah received a Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in English and History) from the University of British Columbia in 1985, followed by a Diploma in Legal Studies from Keble College at Oxford University in 1987.
Areas of Practice
Deborah practises in the areas of environmental law, energy-related transactions and general commercial transactions.
Rankings and Recognitions
· Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2012 (Environmental Law; Natural Resources Law)
· Martindale-Hubbell BV Peer Review Rating
· Recognized in Who's Who Legal: Canada 2011 (Environment)
Professional Experience
· Represents various industrial and commercial enterprises including forest companies, mining companies, manufacturers, transportation entities and financial institutions in due diligence investigations, negotiation and drafting of environmental provisions in transaction documents, environmental compliance issues, developing environmental management systems, environmental impact assessment issues, contaminated site issues, associated negotiations with environmental authorities and minimizing environmental liability generally in corporate and commercial transactions and ongoing operations.
· Appearing before regulatory tribunals on permit issues, administrative orders and contaminated site issues.
· Preparing submissions to government concerning proposed legislation for business groups such as the Business Council of British Columbia.
· Advise participants involved in electrical energy and gas transmission projects.
Career Highlights
· Advised BC Hydro in the design and implementation of several power procurement processes in which BC Hydro has awarded over 100 contracts to independent power producers across the Province.
· Co-counsel to British Columbia Railway Company in connection with the sale of Vancouver Wharves.
· Co-counsel to Province of British Columbia in connection with the CN Rail Public/Private Partnership with respect to BC Rail Ltd.
Recent Publications and Presentations
· "Developments in Environmental Assessments - Recent Cases", 6th Edition Environmental Law in B.C., Insight, January 25/26, 2012
· "Vexing Issues in Transactions", Environmental Law Forum, January 19, 2012
· "Ethics in the Practice of Law", Women Lawyers Conference, Keynote Speaker, November 22, 2011
· "Addressing Environmental Risk in Transactions", Law Society of British Columbia, CLE, November 18, 2011
· "Addressing Environmental Issues in Negotiating Purchase and Sale Agreements", Federated Press, April 26, 2011"Addressing Environmental Issues in Negotiating Purchase and Sale Agreement", Federated Press, April 26, 2011
· "Let's Talk Tendering", Paper and Presentation (Co-Authored with Doug Sanders), CLE BC, April 25, 2008.
· "Structuring a Brownfields Transaction and Navigating the Development Approval Process: Tips, Traps and New Developments", presentation at Brownfields Seminar, April 24, 2007.
· "Recent Federal and Provincial Air Initiatives" - Spring/Summer 2007 edition of Environmental Law News.
· "Applying the Basic Legal Principles to the Procurement Process - How Difficult Can it Be?", Client Presentation, June 11, 2007.
· "The Environmentally Challenged Transaction: Closing the Deal", Paper and Presentation for BLG Environmental Client Seminar, June 21, 2007.
· "Climate Change Policy in British Columbia ", Presentation to Client Seminar, BLG Montreal, September 6, 2007.
· "Environmental Impact Assessments and Energy Project Approval Processes in B.C." - Paper and Presentation for Insight Seminar - Environmental Issues for the Energy Industry - September 17-18, 2007.
· "Real Estate and Corporate Commercial Transactions: Contracting In and Out of Environmental Liability", Paper and Presentation for CLE, Environmental Law Conference - 2007, October 11, 2007.
· Panel Chair "Climate Change Issues" - November 7, 2007, T.E. Ladner Business Law Symposium.
· "Making an Impact: Recent Developments in Environmental Assessment", December 2007, Article for Winter edition of Environmental Law News.
· "Canada's Approach to Climate Change: A Patchwork Quilt", article for U.K. publication on climate change, December 2007.
· "Advising British Columbia Businesses" - Environmental Law Chapter in "Advising BC Businesses", CLE BC, 2006.
· "GVRD Air Quality Management Plan - Next Steps". Paper and Presentation for BLG Environmental Law Seminar, June 2006.
· "Authorizations and Codes of Practice under the Environmental Management Act", Paper and Presentation for BLG Environmental Law Seminar, May 2004.
· "Recent Developments in Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment Legislation", Paper and Presentation for BLG Environmental Law Seminar, October 2001.
Professional and Community Activities
· Business Council of British Columbia, Board of Governors
· United Way of the Lower Mainland, Campaign Cabinet - 2011
· Zajac Foundation - Director.