lisa jean helps

Lisa has a wide range of experience in Criminal and Civil Litigation, as Appellate Counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. She also specializes in Motor Vehicle Act defences and in professional tribunal work, including unionized professionals, disciplinary committees, and parallel proceedings to Criminal Code offences.

The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Law has employed Lisa as an advocacy and criminal law instructor with the UBC First Nations Legal Clinic since 2007. This clinic, dedicated to the Native population in the downtown east side, articles law students to act for those unable to afford a lawyer.

Lisa is a proud representative for several unions and is pleased to provide service to their members through union referrals in the areas of criminal and administrative law.

Lisa holds an LL.B. from The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Law and is a member of the Trial Lawyer’s Association of B.C., The Canadian Bar Associationand The Law Society of British Columbia.

Lisa articled under Paul G. Danyliu of the firm Danyliu and Company in Vernon, British Columbia. She was cross-examining police officers and technical witnesses in a Supreme Court murder trial one day after being called as a lawyer.

Since articles, Lisa has been counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada, the BC Court of Appeal, and the British Columbia Supreme Court numerous times. Her successes include:

- R v. JM (BCSC, 2009) – A first degree murder trial that resulted in an outright acquittal;
- R v. TS (SCC, 2009) – A first degree murder trial that Lisa litigated at the British Columbia Supreme Court (where the jury returned a manslaughter verdict), at the Court of Appeal and at the Supreme Court of Canada;
- R v. ER (BCSC, 2007) – A first degree murder trial that resulted in the client being convicted of Manslaughter;
- R v. REM (SCC, 2008) – A sexual assault case where the Supreme Court of Canada considered what was sufficient in determining whether a judge had applied the proper legal standard to the case;
- R v. EL (BCSC, 2006) – A first degree murder trial that resulted in the client being convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in custody;
- R v. JFW (BCCA, 2008) – The Court of Appeal had to decide whether a break in was, or was not, a “home invasion”;
- R v. CB (BCCA, 2007) – The Court of Appeal overturned a trial decision that did not allow the client credit for “dead time” – time spent in custody before a sentencing;
- R v. AT (BCSC, 2006) – A nine-month drug trial that resulted in a full acquittal for Lisa’s client;
- R v. JG (BCCA, 2007) – The Court of Appeal overturned a trial decision that did not properly account for factors in sentencing;
- R v. SM (BCSC, 2007) – A first degree murder trial that resulted in an outright acquittal; and many more.

Lisa has a strong commitment to social justice and to cases other lawyers have turned down as “unwinnable.” Her professionalism, work ethic and record of success are unparalleled.

Lisa’s views on her practice:

“I dedicate myself to each and every file with the same level of determination to achieve the best possible success. Most clients find me easy to get ahold of and easy to talk to, and I understand where they’re coming from. Any involvement with the legal system isn’t easy; my assistance while going through a litigation matter is invaluable. Whether the matter is very serious or very minor, all matters are important to my clients. I work with you to win.”