P. G. Kent is a senior litigation partner at LK Law and is head of the Criminal Defence Practice Group. He is a barrister with a wide ranging litigation practice, covering everything from contractual and tort litigation to corporate disputes, defamation cases, legal bill disputes, lawyer negligence, and white-collar criminal defence. Mr. Kent also has successfully sued police forces and police officers for excessive force, false arrest, false imprisonment and for personal injuries. Mr. Kent has particular expertise in fee disputes between clients and lawyers and has successfully argued and negotiated cases resulting in the substantial reduction of legal bills to clients of law firms. He has also acted for law firms in disputes about legal fees.
With more than thirty years of litigation experience, Mr. Kent has conducted over 100 trials and hearings along with countless appearances in Supreme Court Chambers. Mr. Kent has appeared as counsel throughout the province, and has appeared before the Alberta Provincial Court, the British Columbia Police Commission, the British Columbia Securities Commission, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. He has travelled widely to represent his clients’ interests, including to such diverse locations as London, Berlin, Frankfurt, Moscow, Prague, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.
A former Governor and Executive member of the British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association Mr. Kent is also a member of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association. He is one of only two Canadian lawyers invited to membership in the United States First Amendment Lawyers Association. Mr. Kent maintains membership with the Canadian Bar Association and formerly served as an elected member of the CBA British Columbia Provincial Council for Westminster County and as a member of the CBA Judicial Advisory Committee. For over twenty-five years, he has been a guest lecturer and instructor for the Law Society of British Columbia Bar Admission program, presenting on the subjects of criminal law and the art of cross-examination.
Mr. Kent was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1990, completed the Inns of Court Program, and subsequently studied at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, obtaining his qualifications and license to practice as a Solicitor with the Law Society of England and Wales and as a Barrister with Gray’s Inn, London.
Outside of the office, Mr. Kent can be found high-altitude mountaineering, Muay Thai training, pursuing his interest in oenology, or supporting his local Vancouver Polo Club.
Publications
- “Facing up to FaceBook”, author, presenter, 2009
- “Canada v. US Obscenity Law”, author, presenter, AVN Online
- “Trial By Fire No More“, presenter, Trial Lawyer Association of BC
- “Canadian Update on Freedom of Expression“, author, presenter, First Amendment Lawyers Association
Bar Admissions
British Columbia, 1990
England and Wales, 2008
Education
Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, 2007
Juris Doctor, University of British Columbia, 1989
Professional Certificate in Education, University of British Columbia, 1986
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology/Philosophy minor), University of British Columbia, 1985
Memberships and Affiliations
Director, Criminal Defence Advocacy Society
Director, Surrey Bar Association
Member, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC)
Member, TLABC Criminal Defence Committee
Member, Criminal Defence Advocacy Society
Member, National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers (USA)
Member, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
Member, First Amendment Lawyers Association (USA)
Member, Law Society of British Columbia
Member, The Law Society (England & Wales)
Member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
Former elected member, Canadian Bar Association Provincial Council
Former Appointee, Canadian Bar Association Committee to Judicial Council
Former elected Executive Member and Governor, TLABC
* Law Corporation