Christopher Rusnak KC

Practice Areas

The focus of Chris’ practice is complex, multi-party disputes. He is counsel in some of Canada’s largest and most technically challenging cases in the fields of product liability, environmental contamination, and construction.

Chris’ education and background in the field of chemical engineering makes him particularly adept at dealing with complex issues and evidence such as hydrocarbon migration in soils, large scale landslides, covalent bond failure analysis, and econometric modeling. Chris’ case experience includes acting as counsel in the Mount Polley mining disaster litigation, the Canadian tobacco healthcare cost-recovery lawsuits and a number of significant class action proceedings including British Columbia’s proposed national class action for opioid-related health care costs. Relying on his abilities to effectively analyze complex scientific evidence, Chris’ clients also seek his advice on climate change-related matters.

During his practice, Chris has worked on several inter-jurisdictional matters with counsel throughout Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Chris also works with a number of First Nations to support their efforts to achieve reconciliation through recognition of their Aboriginal title and rights.

Chris has represented his clients in courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the courts of appeal in British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick and the trial courts of British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, and the Yukon.

In 2020, Chris was appointed King’s Counsel for distinctive merit as legal counsel and exceptional contributions to the legal profession. Chris is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Faulty of Law where he teaches Ethics and Professionalism. Chris has also lectured at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Engineering. Chris is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. Additionally, Chris regularly volunteers to teach and lead seminars for the British Columbia Law Society’s Continuing Legal Education program and the Chief Justice’s Inns of Court program.

Chris was one of two lawyers from British Columbia nominated for the title of the country’s Litigator of the Year in the 2020 Canadian Law Awards. More details of Chris’ case work, contributions and recognitions are found below.

Chris is Harper Grey’s Innovation Partner, Co-Chair of the Construction & Engineering Law Practice Group and has served on the firm’s executive committee.