Outside of the legal profession, Gavyn has worked as a strategic advisor to startups. He has experience in marketing, community engagement, and project management for various non-for-profit organizations, and is currently on the Board of Directors of The Beaumont Studios in Vancouver. Gavyn spends his spare time crate digging in record stores, woodworking, cooking/eating, skiing, and surfing (or at least trying).
What is your favourite thing about practicing law and why did you decide to get involved with the Clinic?
I enjoy the dynamic and challenging nature of my practice as a business lawyer. One day, I may be buried in a music licence, an AI heavy software as a service (SaaS) agreement, and/or a distribution and supply agreement for whatever widget you can think of. Another day, I may be quarterbacking a cross-border share purchase transaction or tackling complex securities law questions posed by a regulator.
While legal practice is highly fluid, one of the constants I enjoy most about my job is the ability to teach and mentor junior lawyers and students. I have been fortunate to have several great mentors in my career; therefore, it is one way I like to pay it forward. The clinic is yet another way I can expand on my passion for teaching, as the lawyers and students at my firm eventually do get tired of my stories…
What piece of advice do you wish to give to those considering the business law?
The most successful business lawyers I know are curious and have a broad understanding of many areas of law, which helps them issue spot and provide preliminary guidance to their clients before recruiting a specialist. They also strive to give their clients practical legal advice, as the same issue for one client may need to be addressed differently for
another, depending on their needs. My advice is to stay curious and consider when to “take your lawyer hat off” when evaluating a client’s needs.
What do you enjoy about working with startups/emerging companies?
Working with startups/emerging companies can be messy, chaotic, frustrating, exciting, inspiring, and fulfilling. The startup world is truly a sandbox for innovation.
Unlike many well established businesses, startup founders can sometimes lack experience with the legal aspects of running a business. However, what they lack in sophistication they often make up for with grit, passion, and specialized industry expertise. I am often excited by the ideas that come across my desk and it is truly fulfilling to help contribute to the development of an innovative idea from the ground up.
Last Updated: December 2024