Vancouver Criminal Lawyer - Gibbons Fowler :: British Columbia Defence Counsel

Richard Fowler

Telephone: 604.684.1311 or 604.961.2685 (24 hours)
Email:

Practice Profile

Richard Fowler practices exclusively in the area of criminal defence.

Richard has extensive experience working as part of a legal team on large, complex cases. His experience includes managing a team of lawyers representing one of the accused in the Air India case and he was co-counsel with David Gibbons, Q.C. on the successful defence of former B.C. Premier Glen Clark against breach of trust and fraud charges.

Richard has represented clients in all levels of Court in British Columbia and in the Supreme Court of the Yukon Territories. He has extensive experience in both jury and non-jury trials of allegations such as murder, manslaughter, sexual offences, kidnapping, extortion, drug offences and fraud. He has successfully argued appeals in the British Columbia Court of Appeal and has also appeared before the Review Board designated to assess the needs of individuals found unfit to stand trial or not criminally responsible because of mental disorder.

During his career he has retained experts in many different disciplines, including: forensic pathologists, forensic psychiatrists, psychologists, accident reconstructionists, aircraft accident investigators, quantity surveyors, handwriting comparisons, ballistics, and various other legal and technical experts.

Richard's experience in handling complex litigation has allowed him to develop his skill and proficiency using technology in the courtroom on behalf of his clients. Similarly, he is a strong proponent of the view that individuals charged with serious offences will benefit tremendously from the collective knowledge, experience and wisdom of a group of lawyers working closely together.

Other Professional Activities

Outside of his criminal practice, Richard Fowler has been a regular presenter at advocacy courses in Canada and the United States focusing on how technology can be used to enhance courtroom performance on behalf of clients. He also has a particular interest in the law governing the use and misuse of expert evidence during trials.

In addition, Richard is active in the following areas and activities:

	Current B.C. representative for the Association for the Wrongfully Convicted (AIDWYC);
	Current B.C. delegate to the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers;
	Member of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia;
	Member of Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, an international organization of lawyers committed to protecting the human rights of lawyers who work around the world protecting the rights of others;
	Past guest speaker at the Professional Legal Training Course run by the Law Society of British Columbia and at the UBC Law School; and
	A regular guest speaker at conferences and seminars in the areas of criminal law, advocacy skills, and legal technology.

Further, Richard Fowler has appeared on CBC television and radio to provide analysis and commentary on legal issues, and is frequently contacted by the print media for comment on current criminal cases.

Education & Training

Mr. Fowler holds a B.Sc.(Hons) in Psychology from the University of Birmingham, England and earned his LL.B in 1994 from McGill University. He articled under David Gibbons, Q.C. After being called to the Bar in 1995 he continued to work with David. In 1997 David Gibbons Q.C., Richard Fowler and Matthew Nathanson formed the firm of Gibbons Fowler Nathanson.