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Roark Lewis

Senior Associate

Vancouver
[email protected]
604.632.3539

Expertise

Roark represents and advises clients on environmental, regulatory, and litigation matters. As part of his dispute resolution practice, he represents clients in civil claims, environmental law matters, regulatory proceedings and prosecutions, and other disputes. He also advises clients on regulatory compliance, environmental due diligence, and matters relating to Indigenous land rights.

Roark has acted as counsel in all levels of court in British Columbia and in numerous provincial and federal administrative tribunals. He also provides strategic advice for parties in negotiations and mediations.

Prior to joining BLG, Roark had a civil litigation and regulatory practice at a global firm.

Experience

  • Counsel on environmental law matters including contaminated sites litigation, responses to spills and migrating pollution, regulatory compliance and enforcement proceedings, site due diligence, and environmental management and remediation agreements.
  • Advising on and drafting land-use agreements relating to Indigenous lands.
  • Counsel for clients facing enforcement proceedings (including prosecutions) relating to licensing, permitting, and other regulatory compliance issues.
  • Defence counsel for clients in litigation relating to occupiers’ liability, product liability, construction defects, and other types of negligence claims.
  • Counsel in regulatory proceedings before the British Columbia Utilities Commission.
  • E.B. v. British Columbia (Child, Family and Community Services), 2021 BCCA 47: Acted as counsel in successful defence of appeal from striking of claims of defamation and misfeasance in a public office.
  • E.B. v. British Columbia (Child, Family and Community Services), 2019 BCSC 2200: Acted as co-counsel for defendants in successful application to strike amended notice of civil claim alleging negligence, defamation, and misfeasance in a public office.
  • Acted as co-counsel in a regulatory prosecution for a corporation facing charges under the Health of Animals Act, S.C. 1990, c. 21.
  • Acted as co-counsel for the Law Society of British Columbia in professional discipline proceedings.
  • Acted as counsel for a refugee claimant from a European country in the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board. The claimant sought protection from persecution based on their SOGIE. The Refugee Protection Division accepted the claim and granted the claimant refugee status.
  • Acted as counsel for a personal applying for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment to avoid removal to a Central American country. The person was able to remain in Canada with their family.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia
  • Member, Vancouver Bar Association

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2022) of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation)

Bar Admission & Education

  • British Columbia, 2018
  • Yukon Territory, 2024
  • BA (Honours), McGill University, 2013
  • JD, University of Victoria, 2017