About Ellen Vandergrift
I am a lawyer who works collaboratively with other lawyers to put their best foot forward in court.
Business torts are a particular interest of mine, because they are complicated and involve interesting strategic questions. Outside of business torts, I focus on appellate advocacy: collaborativeappeals.com.
My dream is to one day argue a business torts case at the Supreme Court of Canada.
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Valuable experience inside the courts
I clerked with the Court of Appeal and Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, and later returned to work as Legal Counsel to the Queen's Bench for several years.
This experience has given me useful insight into what works and what doesn't.
Analytic intelligence
I ranked in the top ten each year at UBC Law, and graduated fourth in my class, receiving several academic scholarships.
Quick to get up to speed, and willing to push back when necessary, I earned the moniker “the throbbing brain” from a client specializing in commercial litigation.
Broad experience outside the courts
I bring 23 years of experience in 3 provinces to each file.
I have worked in a large firm (now Dentons) and worked as a freelance research lawyer alongside hundreds of lawyers in varied practice areas and with different practice styles.
Fresh energy and perspective
Many of my clients note that having me onside makes the practice of law more fun. I bring vivaciousness and an irreverent sense of humour that makes difficult work easier.
Love for the law
Clients frequently comment on how my engagement in and love for the law is invaluable when assessing what legal arguments to pursue and how to best frame them for the court.
Combined with my broad experience, this love for the law enables me to see new angles and new applications for legal concepts.