Phone: (604)231-3498
Fax: (604) 273-4512
Email: gary@cbelaw.com
Assistant: Val Chan
Phone: (604) 273-6411, ext 206
Email: val@cbelaw.com
Jacquie Woo, Corporate Services
(604) 273-6411, ext 207
jacquie@cbelaw.com
Biography
Gary works with family-owned businesses to strengthen the business and family structure to enhance generational success. His passion for family businesses and the required work ethic started early in life as he worked for his own family business. Panco Poultry, which operated in Surrey, BC, for more than 25 years, was Canada’s largest fully integrated poultry business.
Gary has been advising business owners and their families for more than 35 years. He has seen many businesses flourish and finds that as a business grows, it requires experienced professional advisors who can collaborate to manage and advance important relationships and desired business growth.In the interest of his clients’ business, Gary regularly works with their accountants, financial planners, HR professionals, senior managers and other business advisors.
He assists his clients with the day-to-day legal and business issues and opportunities that arise, as well as the legal procedures and challenges that a business encounters.
The regular operational issues include all types of contracts and agreements, including supplier and distribution agreements, shareholder and share option agreements, and employment-related issues such as confidentiality and non-compete agreements. He also advises on reorganizations and capital restructuring agreements.
Gary gets involved with the buying and selling of businesses, implements Key Person insurance, and conducts other risk assessments in the interests of the business. His clients are also keen to arrange for succession planning. Whether passing the business on to adult children or management, careful planning is required.His clients understand that structuring the business for succession requires personal estate planning. As such, Gary is regularly called upon to advise on legal issues for the family unit. He has a high degree of sensitivity for family dynamics and helps to implement important personal documents such as wills, trust agreements, representation agreements, family trusts and powers of attorney.
He works across all industries including industrial manufacturing, printing, resort properties, retail, electrical services, floor covering, auto body repair and supply, family foundations, and tug and barge. His clients include high net worth individuals and other entrepreneurial businesses of varying degrees ofgrowth and success.
His legal career started at Braidwood Nuttall McKenzie in Vancouver. In 1979 he founded the Richmond based firm now known Cohen Buchan Edwards LLP. He is pleased to see that the 25 lawyers and staff work hard for their clients and take time to give back to their community. Gary believes in leadership by example.
Gary and Linda (marriage commissioner) are proud parents of Mike (Rock 101 promotions director).
Accreditation
Bachelor of Commerce: University of British Columbia, 1972
Bachelor of Laws: University of British Columbia, 1974
Business Family Advisor: Sauder School of Business (certification)
Family Enterprise Advisor: Institute of Family Enterprise Advisors
Memberships & Associations
Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
Law Society of British Columbia
Richmond Hospital Foundation: past director
Richmond Hospital Foundation: Board of Governors
Richmond Chamber of Commerce: member & past president
JCC Sports Dinner: chair Jack Diamond Award
Maccabi Games: former provincial chair and sports vp.
Eye of the Dragon: dragon boat racing team
FCRCC: Canadian Senior C Dragon Boat Championship
BC Lions Waterboys
Meraloma Club: Past President
