A. W. McGarvey Legal Team - Criminal Defence

A. W. McGarvey, his staff, and out-of-office consultants are a dedicated team of professionals who work diligently to represent your best interests. We provide the highest level of personal legal service and clients are frequently referred to us on serious files from other legal counsel throughout Vancouver Island, when our level of service and expertise is required. We have the experience, resources, and connections to handle the most complex cases.

A.W. McGarvey

A. W. (Al) McGarvey was proudly born and raised in East Vancouver, B.C. (Commercial Drive). In the eighth grade he parted company with traditional high school. He then spent eight years occasionally at a number of schools and mostly travelled in North America. He obtained a form of education not offered in the formal school setting. From age 12 to 20, and during the turbulent sixties, Al “broadened his horizons” by travelling extensively throughout Canada and the United States, obtaining interpersonal skills through dealing with people “from all walks of life” and acquired extensive interpersonal, mechanical, motorcycle, and automotive skills through his numerous employment and life experiences.

Education

Following his return to Vancouver, Al pursued his high school equivalency, via night-school classes at the King Edward college campus while working days driving tow truck and doing auto body repairs. He then attended Langara College (East Vancouver) and subsequently U.B.C. where he continued his major in Psychology and completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He had the rare privilege of completing a one year directed studies program, with the distinguished professor, Dr. Jerry S. Wiggins, at U.B.C., and he also participated in a 2-year community psychology program with placements at Riverview Mental Hospital and Willington Youth Prison. Following receipt of his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, he was offered a position at a number of law schools across Canada, and chose to attend the University of Windsor in Ontario. He received his law degree in 1980. Previous to continuing with his legal career, he then elected to spend two years in the pursuit of alternate interests, “because there would be no opportunity to pursue that after starting a practice". He then spent two years working in sawmills along the Fraser River, managing an auto body shop, managing a motorcycle repair shop, and working as a child care worker and key counsellor in a residential treatment centre caring for a group of significantly disturbed and criminal youth.

In 1983, Al articled with a local Courtenay lawyer, Ted Holekamp, and was called to the bar in 1984, when he then joined Holekamp, Greyson & McGarvey. He continued in that law firm until 1986. From 1983 to 1986, Al practised in criminal defence and personal injury. From 1987 and to 1994 he also worked as an ad-hoc (assigned) Crown Prosecutor, while maintaining his private practice in criminal defence and personal injury. From 1994 to date he has continued his practice of criminal defence and personal injury law. He has practised on the lower mainland, throughout British Columbia, and on Vancouver Island.

Al has appeared before the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal. He is an advisor for treatment programs for offenders and advises victims of crime or the wrongful acts or negligence of others. He is fortunate to be able to draw on his life experiences across a broad spectrum of society.

Memberships and Associations

Canadian Bar Association – member for 45 years: former executive of CBA Criminal Bar Subsection (Nanaimo County)
Founding member of the North Island Criminal Lawyers Association (NICLA)
Member: Association of Criminal lawyers (Ontario)
Benefactor Level Member of Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (Personal Injury and Criminal Law– current member since 1983)
Law Society of British Columbia – current member (since 1984)
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association – former member
American Bar Association – former member
Association of Trial Lawyers of America – former member
National Association of (American) Criminal Defence Lawyers – former member

Interests

On the rare occasion that he is not at work, Al can be found long distance motorcycle riding - 200,000 km (Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, BSA).

He also enjoys motorcycle and automobile customising, and he has a significant interest in film history and film production (directors: Hawks, Capra, Rossellini, Scorsese, Lynch, Tarantino, Montiel, and Hama-Brown), and architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright).

Natasha Lindsay-D’Aoust

Natasha is our legal assistant. Natasha plays a key role in managing client files and supporting court preparation. She serves as a primary point of contact for clients and liaises regularly with Crown Counsel, lawyers, the judiciary, court registry staff, agents, investigators, and a wide range of consulting experts.

Natasha is responsible for receiving and recording client information and documentation, ensuring files are meticulously organized and up to date. She also keeps clients informed about upcoming court dates, assessments, deadlines, and appointments.

Natasha has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Certificate in Forensic Studies.

Marissa Demoe

Marissa is a legal assistant with primary responsibility for managing client accounts, including those related to criminal and personal injury matters. In addition to her accounting duties, she maintains regular communication with clients, Crown Counsel, lawyers, the judiciary, court registry staff, agents, investigators, and a broad network of consulting experts.

Marissa oversees financial management by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing accounting information, and also supports the team with day-to-day administrative tasks. Marissa has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and has a particular interest in alternative dispute resolution.

Laura Thomson

Laura is a legal assistant whose current responsibilities focus on file accounting and office

operations. She manages daily accounting tasks, oversees office expenses, and provides

support with operational needs. With prior experience assisting across a wide range of

office duties, Laura is also available for task-specific assignments as needed.

Laura has undertaken studies in a criminology degree program. Laura is now pursuing a

bachelor’s degree in accounting and continues her university studies on an ongoing basis.

Prabh Sohi

Prabh is a legal assistant who plays a key role in managing file accounting and maintains up-to-date records on all client accounts. Her responsibilities mirror those of our accounting team, and she is available for task-specific assignments as needed.

Prabh is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, with plans to attend law school and specialize in criminal law.

Delia-Valentina Rugea

Delia provides administrative support to our team. She has a strong academic foundation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in Business Law from Romania. Delia combines strong organizational abilities with a sharp eye for detail to support the smooth operation of our offices.

Delia recently oversaw the update and management of our company website, helping to ensure our digital presence remains current and engaging. Committed to continuous growth, she is actively pursuing additional education and certifications in areas such as project management, further strengthening her ability to contribute to our team.

Chrissy Hyatt

Chrissy, affectionately known as “Sammy” (a nickname given by Big Doug Marion), has been an integral part of our office for over 17 years. Throughout her time here, she has held various legal assistant roles, managing liaison with Crown counsel, defense lawyers, court services, Judges, and maintaining communications with clients, investigators, researchers, and experts. She also led our accounts, billing, and financial administration as the senior legal assistant.

Currently, Chrissy serves as our external Human Resources Consultant, overseeing hiring and staff development to ensure our team consistently meets the highest standards of professionalism and support. She holds a legal assistant college certificate with a focus on criminal law and has returned to college as an instructor, lecturing on criminal law for legal assistant students. In addition, Chrissy has completed a degree program in health care, specializing in home care for injured persons. Her broad range of education and experience continues to enrich our team.

Douglas J. Marion K.C.

IN MEMORIAM

Our practice dedicates this memorial to Douglas J. Marion (Big Doug), in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the practice of criminal law.

We acknowledge him as our beloved friend and colleague, as well as acknowledging his service to the people of Vancouver Island throughout his distinguished career.

We remember and honour him.