Gary Hagel is a lawyer and mediator. He has been a practicing lawyer since 1999, and as a litigator, he has represented clients at all levels of court in BC. He now focuses his practice on Wills & Estates (planning, probate/administration, and litigation), Employment law, and Mediation.

Gary’s practice now focuses on mediation, Wills & Estates, and Employment Law, but his legal experience is broad and varied. Over the course of his career, he has acted as counsel for clients in several areas of law, including Occupiers’ Liability, Personal Injury (Plaintiff and Defence), and other general Civil Litigation matters.

Gary has a diverse background in several respects. He has lived in the Cariboo, on Vancouver Island, in Calgary, and in Greater Vancouver. His father was a gasfitter and electrician, and his mother was a bookkeeper (and both were very hardworking). For his part, before law school, Gary had many different jobs, including painting houses, tending bar, baking bagels, and working as an insurance adjuster.

Gary spent his childhood and youth in small towns, which gave him a love of being outdoors and among the trees. He is also a certified SCUBA diver (though, sadly, he has not dived in many years) and has always loved wetlands and the ocean. Since moving to Greater Vancouver he has also come to appreciate the things a cosmopolitan area like ours has to offer.

Gary is a past Chair of the Richmond Caring Place Society (having served on the board for 11 years), and is a current Director of the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge Management Society. He is a frequent volunteer with Kajaks Track and Field Club here in Richmond.

Gary firmly believes that communicating effectively (preferably in person or by telephone) is the best way to make progress toward resolving disputes. However, he also has a great deal of trial experience and is an efficient and effective courtroom advocate when a client’s issues can’t be resolved by negotiation.

Gary’s approach to the law could be summed up by saying that he acts with compassion and understanding, but also with a strong sense of realism and pragmatism.

Areas of Practice

• Personal Injury Plaintiff
• Motor Vehicle Plaintiff and Defence
• Insurance Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Employment and Workplace Litigation
• Mediation (Personal Injury, Employment, Wills and Estates, other civil disputes)