Kenneth M. Bagshaw, Q.C.

Ken Bagshaw is one of the few non-athlete competitors who can claim he has won a gold medal. Its impact, however, was no less than it would be for top athletes: awarded to Bagshaw for graduating first in his law class, the medal was a cherished beginning to a distinguished career in the law.

As VANOC’s Chief Legal Officer, Bagshaw is leading the team that provides or manages all legal services for Vancouver 2010. Working closely with senior executives in all of the organization’s divisions, Bagshaw oversees VANOC’s legal relationships, negotiates major revenue contracts and coordinates the strategy for protection of intellectual property and trademark issues associated with the Games. Ongoing liaison with International Olympic Committee counsel, senior government officials and VANOC’s Board of Directors is also an integral part of his team’s portfolio. 

Bagshaw built his extensive legal career as a member of Vancouver’s venerable law firm Ladner Downs and its successor, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. In a practice that spanned four decades, Bagshaw provided counsel to a host of private companies, public corporations and public sector boards on a wide range of legal issues, particularly in the areas of general corporate and commercial law; corporate mergers and acquisitions; and government relations.

He counts among the highlights of his career his longstanding counsel role with a number of provincial Crown Corporations; his work with Northwest Arena Corporation (now Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment); and his role as principal outside legal advisor to the EXPO 86 Corporation.

In 2000, Bagshaw was one of the principal negotiators for Ladner Downs in the creation of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, the largest, single multi-law firm merger undertaken in Canada. The merger brought together under one umbrella five law firms from across the country, forming one of the country’s largest and most prestigious national firms.

Prior to joining VANOC, Bagshaw was the regional managing partner of that firm’s Vancouver’s office as well as a member of its national executive committee and board of directors. He also lead the firm’s groundbreaking Professional Excellence Program, viewed as Canada’s most comprehensive professional development and mentoring regime.

Throughout his career, the breadth of Bagshaw’s community involvement has rivaled his professional pursuits. He has held leadership roles with several of BC’s most prestigious non-profit institutions, including the Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Police Board. He also served as chair of the University of British Columbia’s Board of Governors.

Born in Vancouver and raised in West Vancouver, Bagshaw received his LL.B from the University of British Columbia. He was called to the British Columbia bar in 1965, and in 1986 was appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his contribution to the profession and his service to government.

He continues to call West Vancouver home, where he resides with his wife and their West Highland white terrier. A dabbler in many sports and an accomplished photographer, he relishes long walks during which he can focus his lens on the natural world.