Ryan Thomas Ashmead
Ryan has represented clients in the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and arbitrations. He has expertise in complex and multi-party commercial disputes that involve businesses and properties, and often involve extensive negotiations and documents. Ryan has advised clients on compliance and enforcement in regulated industries, privacy and disclosure laws, and employment law in the federal, provincial, and private sectors.
Read more about Ryan and his achievements, below.
Ryan's Career Overview
Experience
- Ralmax Properties Ltd. v. Pt. Ellice Properties Ltd. and Fred Berman, Victoria Registry No. S183402: Ryan was lead counsel for one of the longest commercial trials in Victoria's history. The subject was a large piece of industrial land in downtown Victoria along the Inner Harbour. Ryan managed 27 witnesses for his client, and over 1,000 tendered documents. Ryan cross-examined businesspersons, lawyers, accountants and business valuators on an asset sale, share sale, and their lengthy negotiation and documentation.
- Illingworth v. Evergreen Medicinal Supply Inc., 2019 BCCA 471; Illingworth v. Evergreen Medicinal Supply Inc., 2018 BCCA 444: Ryan was lead counsel in two successful appeals for a landlord under a commercial lease, evicting the tenant of a marihuana production facility, near Patricia Bay Hwy and Island View Rd., Victoria.
- Municipal, Provincial, First Nation, Private-Landowner Negotiations, 2023: Ryan gave legal support and strategic input in a rezoning process and four-way negotiation with the municipal and provincial government and the First Nation over approvals and ownership of a proposed multi-building development.
- Mediation in a corporate-oppression action, 2022: Ryan was lead counsel in a successful mediation to resolve a shareholders dispute over multiple locations of a well-known retailer.
- Arbitration over a residential subdivision, 2020: Ryan was lead counsel in a multiweek hearing of a commercial arbitration over the investments, construction, and sale of a subdivision of many homes.
- Price Security Holdings Inc. v. Klompas & Rothwell,
2018 BCSC 129: Ryan ran a successful trial to collect a large debt owed to his client. - Litigation over brain injury, 2020-2022: Ryan was lead counsel in two cases involving brain injury and chronic pain, and he obtained large settlements for the clients.
- Morrison v Koschzek, 2019 BCSC 945: Ryan was lead counsel in a multiweek trial over a personal injury.
- Stock v. Oak Bay Marina Ltd., 2017 BCSC 359: Ryan ran a successful trial for an employee whom the court awarded substantial severance.
- Advised on consumer protection regimes, 2018-2024: Ryan has written legal opinions on consumer-protection legislation including deceptive acts and practices, regulation of lending practices, and enforcement of licensing requirements.
- Practiced as a solicitor, 2007-2009: Ryan advised clients on securities regulations, IPOs, and acquisitions, as an associate at a business law firm in downtown Vancouver.
- Articled at a leading national law firm: Ryan articled at a leading national firm, McCarthy Tétrault, in the Vancouver office.
- Contributed to legal academia: Ryan wrote an article on Injunctions and Urgent Relief, for commercial lawyers in British Columbia. During law school, he was the senior editor for the business section of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review.
Education
- Call to the Bar, 2007: Ryan was called to the Bar in 2007, when he was licensed to be a lawyer in British Columbia.
- Juris Doctor, 2005: Ryan earned his law degree from the University of Toronto.
- Bachelor of Science, Major in Economics, 2002: Ryan studied mathematical economics, game theory, statistics, and general sciences.
Community Involvement
- Public Speaking: Ryan has won awards as a public speaker in competitions hosted by Toastmasters.
- Community Leadership: Ryan is the Treasurer of his strata, and was the President of his former strata. He has been a director of the Victoria Bar Association. He was the Director of Finance for the Student Ambassadors Association at the University of Victoria.
- Competitive Sports: Ryan played competitive baseball, basketball, and he rowed, mostly for teams from the Saanich Peninsula. He played intramural basketball and softball at university.
Awards
- Toastmasters, Division V International Speech Contest, Third Place, 2015.
- Margaret Grimshaw Prize in Real Estate (Highest Achievement), University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, 2005.
- 1st Place, Corporate/Securities Law Moot Court Competition, 2005.
- "A" grade in Advanced Corporate Law and Securities Regulation, and in Taxation of Corporate Finance, University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, 2004-2005.
- Highest GPA (9.0), Social Science Faculty, Howard Petch Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2000.
- Highest Academic Standing, J. W. Munroe Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2000.
- Worthy & Deserving Student, Cooper Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2000.
- 1st Place in Physics; English and Science Provincial Top 20, Grade 12 Examinations, British Columbia, 1997
- Governor General’s Academic Medal, Highest Grades, Stelly’s High School.