We’ve been around since 1903, but we’re just getting started.
At Farris, our heritage has produced a culture of success and imprinted our values and expectations on the people who work here.
Our reputation is based on our ability to continually deliver results and on the lawyers who join our firm…Farris offers both opportunity and freedom to carve out a meaningful career. Clients can expect results when they join forces with Farris.
Our success is demonstrated not by what we say about ourselves, but what history says about Farris.
Since
1903
1903
Future Senator J.W. de Beque Farris, a true pioneer, arrives in BC and begins to carve out his career as Vancouver’s first city prosecutor, a part-time job paying $75 a month. Seeing the possibility to deliver success and excellence in legal services, he begins his practice of law with another pioneer, Cecil Killam, forming the firm Farris & Killam.
Delivering results
Today
100
Over a century later
original thinking continues to deliver results for our clients.
1920s
Royden Stultz returns from World War I. Over the course of his career, Stultz will become an extremely active and skilled solicitor in Vancouver. Upon returning from World War I and finishing his legal studies, Gordon Sloan joins the firm.
The personal sacrifices of these brave young men toward the greater good of mankind is etched in the foundation of Farris. They are a part of our culture and a testament to the character of the people that have worked here and continue to work here.
Our Foundation
Today, Farris is among the leading law firm community contributors in British Columbia. In addition to financial contributions, Farris lawyers and employees often participate in charitable events providing both leadership and support.
1937
J.W. de Beque Farris is appointed to the Senate of Canada. Prior to his appointment, the Senator focused on Privy Council and Supreme Court of Canada constitutional cases standing in the top ranks of counsel. It was said that Senator Farris appeared before the Privy Council more than any other lawyer in Canada.
His wife, Evlyn Fenwick, was also recognized as an influential advocate who focused her efforts on the rights of women, children and workers. She was also the founder of the University Women’s Club of Vancouver and a significant force in establishing the University of British Columbia.
1958
Peter Butler joins the firm, quickly becoming an extraordinary force in the litigation bar and the wider community in which his colorful personality and skillful advocacy became well known.
1960s
Frank Murphy influences the growth of the firm and the Province of British Columbia over the next two decades. Peter Butler and Jack Giles both establish themselves as top counsel and generate debate about whether Butler or Giles was the better litigator. The consensus reached is that while Butler may have been better in trial court, nobody approached Giles’ standard in the appellate courts. These litigators influenced the legal work of their time and shaped the future work of our firm and our lawyers.
1970s
Frank Murphy leads the firm through a period of growth as British Columbia continues to prosper, building a solid client base of the various businesses and industries central to the growth of the Province.
Over
80%
of the firm’s partners are acknowledged as leaders in their respective practice areas and amongst the best at what they do. Over 25% of the partnership is made up of women with senior and junior women holding leadership positions.
2006
To carry on Senator Farris’ and Evyln Farris’ support of UBC, the Partners of Farris donated $1 million to the UBC Faculty of law. At this time, it was the largest gift ever made by a BC law firm.
2018
The firm continues its philanthropic efforts in the legal community by donating $100,000 to the Allard School of Law at UBC to establish its most recent award in honour of Jack Giles, Q.C.
1978
After joining the firm in 1972, Elizabeth (Betty) Harrison is the first woman to join the Farris Partnership. Harrison will go on to receive distinction for her work in mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies, corporate governance issues and restructurings. She is designated as Queen’s Counsel and remains among the most prominent lawyers in Canada.
41%
of the lawyers working at the firm are women.
2019
Ranked as one of the top lawyers in the Province, the accolades continue into 2019 when Elizabeth is recognized as one of BC’s most influential women in business law. In 2022, after 50 years of practice, Elizabeth retired from the firm.
2020-2021
Western Canada Law Firm of the Year
Farris is pleased to have been recognized for the second consecutive year as the Western Canada Law Firm of the Year at the Canadian Law Awards presented by Lexpert.
2023
British Columbia Law Firm of the Year
Farris is pleased to have been recognized as ‘British Columbia Law Firm of the Year’ for 2023 by Benchmark Litigation Canada. These awards recognize the country’s most distinguished law firms for their exemplary work over the past year.
2022-2024
Canada's Best Law Firm
Farris is pleased to have been recognized for the third consecutive year as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms for 2024 by The Globe and Mail. The ranking for Canada’s Best Law Firms is based on recommendations from lawyers and clients.
Remarkable heritage.
Unlimited growth.
Farris is at the forefront of legal innovation. At the same time, we are dedicated to an environment in which families, businesses and the community can prosper. Our pro-bono work, professional development of lawyers and commitment to diversity in the workplace demonstrate our values at work. Farris participates in the Justicia Project, which aims to retain and advance women in private practice. Our Partners serve on the Managing Partners Network Group and the Diversity Officers Working Group to improve four key areas: tracking demographics; parental leave programs; networking and business development; and mentoring and leadership development for women.
Farris is proud to support the LGBTQ community, through sponsorships, fundraisers and lawyer involvement. Farris is committed to providing pro bono services to low income and otherwise disadvantaged groups, including through Access Pro Bono.
Firm Recognition
Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s leading law firms.
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Lexpert) is the most comprehensive guide to legal talent in Canada. Lexpert identifies leading lawyers across Canada in over 60 practice areas. It has become a resource of choice for Canadian corporate counsel and Canadian law firms, as well as for corporate counsel and law firms in need of Canadian legal expertise.
Every year, Best Lawyers in Canada conducts extensive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Best Lawyers then compiles an annual list of the lawyers who have been distinguished as leaders within their practice areas. Additional recognitions are awarded to individual lawyers with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.
Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to the market’s leading litigation firms and lawyers. It focuses exclusively on litigation and disputes in North America which differentiates it from other legal directories. Benchmarks coverage includes firms and lawyers that are of elite status in their respective fields.
Chambers ranks both lawyers and law firms on the basis of independent research, taking place every year between the core months of January through May. Research includes hundreds of in-depth interviews with clients, private practice lawyers and in-house counsel. Amongst its Chambers honours, Farris has been nominated as Regional Firm of the Year and today, more than 25% of the partnership is recognized by Chambers.
Farris LLP is the exclusive member firm in British Columbia for Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms in more than 125 countries.
