JoAnne Barnum

JoAnne, a dedicated legal practitioner, has a diverse portfolio, delving into Insurance, Health, Regulatory, and Aboriginal Law realms. Her work in insurance law spans both subrogation, where she champions insurers in recovering losses from property damage claims, and defense, safeguarding insurers in disputes over property, personal injury, and professional negligence.

Her expertise extends to health law, where JoAnne stands as a formidable ally to medical professionals. She navigates the treacherous waters of malpractice claims defense and represents these professionals before various authoritative bodies, including medical colleges, the Human Rights Tribunal, and the Privacy Commissioner's Office, among others.

In the domain of Aboriginal Law, she is a stalwart advocate for First Nations, especially in disputes on reserves. JoAnne's courtroom presence is notable, with appearances across all judicial levels in British Columbia and the Federal Court, not to mention her engagements before myriad tribunals.

JoAnne embarked on her legal journey with Harper Grey after her bar admission in 2014, preceded by internships and clinical roles that honed her legal acumen, including a pivotal internship at the Legal Services Board of Nunavut and a student clinician position at the UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic.

Beyond her practice, JoAnne is deeply involved in the legal community. Her commitment to pro bono work shines through her participation with Access Pro Bono as duty counsel, offering free legal advice to those in need. She also guides future legal minds as a supervising lawyer for the Law Students Legal Advice program.

Her academic credentials are solid, with a J.D. from the University of British Columbia (2013) and a B.A. (Hons.) in Sociology and Anthropology from Simon Fraser University (2010). Her authority on various legal matters is further established through her contributions to a slew of publications and her active roles in legal education and discourse.

JoAnne's leadership and membership roles are extensive. She's a director at the Law Courts Inn Society, a board member of the UBC Law Alumni Association, and has served on the Vancouver Chambers Choir board. Her voice also enriches the Harper Grey Administrative and Insurance Law blogs and newsletters, where she shares her insights.

Her professional affiliations include memberships in the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, and the Vancouver Bar Association, highlighting her prominent place within the legal community. JoAnne's journey from a student clinician to a respected legal practitioner and community contributor reflects her deep commitment to justice, education, and advocacy.