Course Chairs
Layne Hellrung — Cook Roberts LLP, Victoria
Wesley J. McMillan — Allen/McMillan Litigation Counsel, Vancouver
About the Course Chairs
Layne Hellrung assists clients in resolving complex disputes. His practice focuses on business, real estate, construction, and estate cases.
He is known for handling high-stakes, time-sensitive cases. His approach is polite, but firm, with a focus on client objectives and cost. While Layne greatly enjoys representing clients in court or arbitration, the best results are often achieved by positioning clients to obtain a favourable settlement at an early stage.
A large part of his practice is dedicated to disputes arising from the co-ownership of land or companies. As well, a significant aspect of his practice revolves around issues arising from construction and real estate development. He works closely with solicitors in assisting their clients and as local counsel working with off-Island law firms.
Before joining Cook Roberts, Layne spent 12 years of his career in Vancouver, the last eight at national law firms. There, he had the opportunity to work on high-profile cases, with and against leading counsel. He is noted as counsel in 29 reported decisions.
Contributing to the community is fundamental to Layne. He has dedicated hundreds of hours to representing low-income individuals in court. He also served as the BC Chamber of Commerce's pro bono legal advisor from 2018-2025.
Layne is also a frequent speaker and co-chair at conferences for other lawyers relating to civil litigation and real estate law.
Outside of the office, Layne trains for marathons by chasing around his two little kids.
Wes McMillan loves the law almost as much as he loves the Winnipeg Jets. To his wife's dismay, he records and watches Supreme Court of Canada hearings for fun. It is rare that a legal issue doesn't pique Wes' interest.
Wes is an experienced commercial litigator having made appearances before administrative tribunals, trial courts, the Court of Appeal, and multiple appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada on a broad array of legal issues.
The primary focus of Wes' litigation practice is real estate and business disputes. In his real estate practice, Wes has experience advising and litigating in respect of complex land assemblies, collapsing real estate deals, easements, restrictive covenants and statutory building schemes, to name a few.
When not thinking about the law, Wes enjoys staying active by running, curling, playing hockey (having missed out on an NHL career only by reason of a lack of size and talent), and trying to keep up with his two daughters.