Bernard LLP

What Bernard LLP does

Bernard LLP is a Vancouver-based specialty law firm founded in 2002 by Peter G. Bernard, Peter Swanson, and Thomas S. Hawkins, operating as a limited liability partnership under the Partnership Act of British Columbia since May 1, 2013 (previously operating as Bernard & Partners). The firm maintains a single office at 1420 – 400 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver and is recognized as one of Canada's leading maritime law practices, with deep specialization in admiralty and maritime law, insurance law, litigation, business law, environmental law, employment law, health law, occupational health and safety, family law, personal injury, and infrastructure development and construction work.

The firm's core offering centers on legal representation and advisory services for enterprise clients in the maritime, insurance, and healthcare verticals. Maritime clients include shipowners, charterers, ferry and cruise operators, tug and tow operators, salvors, terminal operators, and marine insurers, with a differentiated 24/7 emergency response service for casualties, environmental incidents, and industrial accidents. Insurance clients include International Group Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, hull and machinery underwriters, and brokers, with the firm supporting regulatory advisory, policy drafting, coverage disputes, and litigation. Healthcare clients comprise medical practitioners and allied health professionals (dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, nurses, psychologists, naturopaths) served across professional negligence defence, regulatory matters, disciplinary proceedings, and practice advisory matters.

Bernard LLP generates revenue through traditional professional services billing — hourly rates, fixed fees for specific matters, and contingency arrangements where applicable — across its practice areas. The firm employs approximately 10–20 people (sources differ: firmographics lists ~10; one source cites ~20 lawyers including partners, associates, and retired/of-counsel) and operates on a sales-led, relationship-driven go-to-market in which partners acquire clients through professional reputation, industry referrals, and active participation in maritime associations (Canadian Maritime Law Association, Chamber of Shipping of BC, Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, Canadian Bar Association Maritime Law Section). Multiple firm lawyers have been recognized in Who's Who Legal for Shipping & Maritime, and the firm accepts cheque, wire transfer, and credit card payments (with a 2% administrative fee on credit card transactions). There are no proprietary technology platforms, no AI/ML capabilities, and no publicly disclosed financials.

Name

Bernard LLP

Legal name

Bernard LLP

Website

https://bernardllp.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bernard LLP is a Vancouver-based specialty law firm founded in 2002 providing maritime/admiralty, insurance, litigation, and health law services to shipowners, P&I Clubs, underwriters, and healthcare practitioners, with 24/7 maritime casualty response capability.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime and Admiralty Law

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Injury & Insurance Defense (BPAHAAAM)

Keywords

• Maritime law services
• Admiralty law firm
• Insurance defense law
• Commercial litigation services
• Healthcare legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Professional Fees: Traditional law firm billing for legal services including hourly rates, fixed fees for specific matters, and potentially contingency arrangements for certain litigation matters. Services span maritime law, insurance, litigation, business law, environmental law, employment law, health law, and personal injury.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bernard LLP is a Vancouver-based limited liability partnership law firm providing specialized legal services across multiple practice areas including Admiralty and Maritime Law, Insurance Law, Litigation, Business Law, Environmental Law, Employment Law, Health Law, Occupational Health and Safety, Personal Injury, and Infrastructure Development and Construction. The firm serves shipowners, charterers, ferry and cruise operators, P&I Clubs, insurance underwriters, healthcare practitioners, and various businesses, offering 24/7 emergency response for maritime casualties and representation across all Canadian court levels.

Product overview

Bernard LLP is a Vancouver-based law firm founded in 2002 that provides a comprehensive suite of legal services organized around multiple practice areas. The firm operates as a unified legal services platform rather than a modular software product. Its core offerings include Admiralty and Maritime Law Services (the firm's recognized specialty), Insurance Law Services, Litigation Services, Business Law Services, Environmental Law Services, Employment Law Services, Health Law Services, Occupational Health and Safety Services, Family Law Services, Personal Injury Services, and Infrastructure Development and Construction Law Services. The firm also offers a 24/7 Emergency Response service feature for immediate casualty response. The practice areas are designed to serve clients across multiple industries including shipping, healthcare, insurance, construction, and professional services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Involved in virtually every major maritime casualty on the West Coast of Canada over four decades
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canadian Maritime Law AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm lawyers serve as directors and hold leadership positions in the Canadian Maritime Law Association, participating in legal education seminars and annual meetings
• Chamber of Shipping of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeter Swanson serves as director; firm participates in Business of Shipping program and industry advocacy
• International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeter Swanson chaired the Host Committee for ICMA 2012 in Vancouver; firm was Gold Sponsor; continued involvement in ICMA events
• Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm lawyers serve as arbitrating members, directors, and past presidents; active in dispute resolution
• Canadian Bar Association Maritime Law SectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm lawyers hold executive positions including Chair and Vice-Chair at both provincial and national levels
• International Sailors' Society CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm lawyers serve as directors; charitable and welfare activities for seafarers
• Maritime Museum of British ColumbiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirm involvement in museum activities and maritime heritage preservation
• Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold sponsor of CLHIA Legal Section Annual Meeting; ongoing involvement in insurance industry education
• Plimsoll ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime industry social and professional networking organization

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fasken: Major Canadian full-service firm with a Vancouver office and recognized insurance, litigation, and corporate practices. Comparable in practice mix to Bernard LLP but larger and more diversified across industries.
• Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG): Canada's largest full-service law firm with offices in Vancouver and a broad insurance, litigation, and maritime offering. Overlaps Bernard LLP's practice areas but operates as a national full-service incumbent rather than a maritime specialist.
• Dentons: Global law firm with a substantial Vancouver office offering litigation, insurance, business law, and maritime-related services. Competes with Bernard LLP for the same regional clients but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Reed Smith: International firm with a notable shipping and maritime practice and insurance industry clients. Comparable to Bernard LLP in marine and insurance defense, but operating globally with significantly more lawyers.
• Norton Rose Fulbright Canada: Global firm with deep shipping and insurance practices and a Vancouver office (formerly Bull Housser). Competes with Bernard LLP on maritime and insurance mandates from a much larger platform.

Direct peers

• HFW (Holman Fenwick Willan): International firm with a deep shipping, commodities, and insurance practice. Comparable to Bernard LLP in maritime specialization and emergency response-style mandates, serving similar international maritime and insurer clients.
• Clyde & Co: Global law firm widely regarded as the international leader in shipping, marine, and insurance law. Comparable to Bernard LLP in maritime practice focus and P&I Club/underwriter client base, though far larger and globally distributed.
• Watson Farley & Williams: International firm specializing in shipping, energy, and maritime finance. Closely comparable to Bernard LLP's maritime transactional and dispute work, especially for international shipowners and charterers active in Pacific trade.
• Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel: Canadian litigation and insurance defense firm with strong construction, insurance, and personal injury practices. Comparable to Bernard LLP in insurance defense, personal injury, and litigation focus across British Columbia and nationally.
• McInnes Cooper: Atlantic Canada-based full-service firm with a leading maritime and admiralty practice serving shipowners, P&I Clubs, and insurers. Most directly comparable peer to Bernard LLP given its similar maritime specialization on the Canadian coast.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bernard-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bernard LLP