Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith: Attorney with Farris LLP

Biography

Kevin has a broad litigation practice, and advises clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious legal issues. He has successfully represented clients in all levels of court in British Columbia.

Kevin has acted in numerous public law matters, including constitutional, administrative, environmental, aboriginal and human rights cases, as well as in other civil litigation, including estates matters, employment disputes, class actions, and a range of other corporate and commercial disputes. Kevin has a particular focus on issues relating to charities and not-for-profit societies, including religious organizations, and frequently advises on both disputes and governance issues more generally in those contexts. He often takes on public interest matters, and frequently assists clients on a pro bono basis. Outside the office, he is active as a leader in a number of community organizations.

Kevin is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales, and prior to returning to Vancouver practiced with a large international firm in London, where alongside general commercial litigation work he developed a particular focus on public law matters, including human rights and civil liberties cases.

Year of Call

2014

Publications and Presentations

•April 29, 2023 - Co-presented “Fundamentals of Litigation Management” webinar as part of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association’s “In-House Counsel Bootcamp” series.
•“Wearing Sadness On Your Sleeve: Mourning Bands, Weepers, and Public Mourning at Court”, The Advocate, (Vol. 79; Issue 4), July 2021, pp.625-627.
•Legal panellist and contributor to a new book reviewing the international law applicable to children in armed conflict and which advocates for reforms in this area. Shaheed Fatima Q.C. et al., Protecting Children in Armed Conflict, (London: Hart Publishing, 2018)
•“Welcome to the Machine? Considering the Ethics of Legal Technology”, The Advocate (Vol. 77; Issue 1), January 2019, pp.43-53
•“Prepping, Not Coaching: The Ethics of Witness Preparation in Civil Litigation”, The Advocates’ Quarterly, (Vol. 48; Issue 4), August 2018; pp. 496-517
•Regular contributor of case commentaries on European Court of Human Rights judgements to the European Human Rights Law Review. (2013-2016)

Legal Recognition

•The Best Lawyers in Canada (2026)
•Benchmark Canada Litigation Future Star (2025)
•Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Litigator Canada (2025)

Pro Bono and Community Work

•Vice-Chancellor (Deputy Chief Legal Officer), Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
•Former Trustee, Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
•Admissions Interviewer, Princeton University
•Past Member of the Board of Directors, 127 Society for Housing

In the News

Presentations

Kevin Smith Presents to BC Chamber of Commerce

December 19, 2025

Recognition

Kevin Smith Named Lexpert Leading Lawyer 40 and Under

November 21, 2025

Recognition

61 Farris Lawyers Recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers in Canada Directory

September 4, 2025

See more ›

Areas of Practice (7)

  • Advocacy & Litigation
  • Corporate & Commercial Litigation
  • Estate Litigation
  • Shareholder Disputes and Securities Litigation
  • Administrative & Regulatory Law
  • Charities and Not-for-Profit
  • Environmental Law

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Oxford University, B.A., Jurisprudence, 2011; Princeton University, B.A. History, Hons, 2007
Year of First Admission:
2014
Admission:
2014, Qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales (Currently non-practicing); 2018, British Columbia Bar
Memberships:

Affiliations

•Member of the Law Society of British Columbia
•Member of the Canadian Bar Association

Reported Cases:
Representative Work: Duncan et al v. British Columbia (Education and Child Care): Acting for the former Victoria School Board Trustees in relation to a judicial review of the decision of Cabinet to dismiss them (Ongoing).; Burke et al v. Red Barn: Acting for the victims of criminal voyeurism in a civil class action against the perpetrator and his employer, alleging breach of privacy, vicarious liability and negligence (2023 BCSC 367; 2024 BCSC 965) (Ongoing).; Cooper Estate: Acted on behalf of a common-law spouse of a deceased individual, obtaining an order upholding an unsigned draft for the purposes of the revocation clause only, with the result that the Estate went on an intestacy basis (2024 BCSC 218).; Kaps v. Surrey (City): Acted for members of the 'Keep the RCMP in Surrey' grassroots campaigning group in a successful challenge to a municipal bylaw purporting to ban 'political signs' (2022 BCSC 1191).; Force of Nature Society et al v. Surrey (City): Acted for environmentalists in a challenge to a municipality's proposal to build a highway through Bear Creek Park. Obtained an interlocutory injunction (2021 BCSC 1676) which was upheld on appeal (2021 BCCA 394).; De Angelis v. Siermy: with Farris Partners Robert S. Anderson K.C. and Mike Wagner, successfully defended a claim alleging a 'testamentary contract' worth at least $30 million. The Farris team successfully proved the alleged contract was invented by the plaintiff and the documents supporting that contract were forged (2022 BCSC 31; aff'd 2022 BCCA 401; leave ref'd 2023 CanLII 67205 (SCC)).; Acted for the head of a public institution in relation to a high-profile workplace inquiry.; Acted for employees of a public body in relation to an Ombudsperson Investigation.; Conducted a review and drafted a comprehensive report for a faith organization on a recent Episcopal Election.; Ongoing: acting for the Administrators of the Estate of Gang Yuan in a complex intestacy involving nine proceedings for and against the Estate and multiple appeals.
ISLN:
1000267890

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Affiliations

Lex Mundi

Location

  • Vancouver, BC
    Pacific Centre South , 25th Floor, 700 W Georgia Street
    Vancouver, BC V7Y 1B3
     Canada

    604-661-9302 Phone
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Contact Kevin Smith

Contact Information:

604-661-9349  Fax

www.farris.com/farris-lawyers/profile/kevin-smith

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