Lawyer Profile
Amy M. Nathanson
Vancouver, British Columbia
Overview
Amy is an experienced and respected civil and commercial litigator specializing in complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution. Amy has a broad litigation practice with expertise in trust and pension litigation, defamation, class actions, professional regulation, real estate disputes, construction disputes, and shareholder and corporate disputes. She also acts as counsel for discipline panels in professional regulatory proceedings. Amy’s practice is defined by her sound judgment, effective advocacy and her thoughtful and practical approach to resolving disputes through mediation, negotiated settlements or trial. Amy is one of Benchmark Litigation’s Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel for America. Amy has appeared as counsel in all levels of court in British Columbia and in the Court of King’s Bench in Alberta.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2007 (BC)
Professional Details
Education
York University, Osgoode Certificate in Pension Law, 2016 University of Toronto, J.D., 2006 University of Toronto, M.S.W., 2006 Queen's University, B.A., 1999; Bar admissions: Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2007
Associations
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow (2023-present) Winning Advocacy Skills Workship, Team Leader (2024); Guest Instructor (2023) Canadian Bar Association, Member Vancouver Bar Association, Member Advocate’s Society, Member Advocate’s Club, Member (2013-2015) Community Activities UBC Trial Advocacy Course, volunteer Access Pro Bono Civil Chambers Program, volunteer
Awards & Recognition
Benchmark Canada: The Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys Litigation Star Amy M. Nathanson 2022-2026 Best Lawyers in Canada Corporate and Commercial Litigation Amy M. Nathanson 2020-2026 Benchmark Litigation 'Top 100 Women in Litigation' Amy M. Nathanson 2022-2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer' Amy M. Nathanson 2022 Acritas Stars Amy M. Nathanson 2021 Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory BV Peer Review rated Amy M. Nathanson 2018
Articles & Speeches
Benchmark Litigation Canada Recognizes 33 Lawson Lundell Litigators in 2026 Guide April 2026 Rankings & Recognitions 85 Lawson Lundell Lawyers Recognised Across 37 Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2026 September 2025 Rankings & Recognitions Benchmark Litigation Recognises Five Lawson Lundell Lawyers in Canada’s 'Top 100 Women in Litigation' August 2025 Rankings & Recognitions
Selected Decisions
Successfully defended a $53 million defamation action involving an international mining project ( Monument Mining Ltd. v. Balendran, Chong & Bodi , 2012, BCSC 1769). Successfully opposed application for leave to appeal decision refusing leave to commence proceedings against a trustee in bankruptcy for breach of fiduciary duty ( Maxfine International Limited v. Grant Thornton Limited , 2024 BCCA 362). Also successfully opposed application to vary the order dismissing application for leave to appeal. ( Maxfine International Limited v. Grant Thornton Limited , 2024 BCCA 389). Acted for defendant, a US coatings manufacturer, in cost recovery claim relating James Island. The case is a one of the leading BC remediation cost recovery cases under the Environmental Management Act ( J.I. Properties Inc. v. PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Ltd., 2015 BCCA 240). Successfully obtained damages award in purchaser’s claim for breach of contract in failed residential real estate conveyance. ( Zhao v.