Barb Cornish, K.C.
EMAIL: bcornish@cmbmediation.com
PHONE: 604 639 3174
ASSISTANT: Valentina Quinn
Barb is an experienced litigator who has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and before a wide variety of statutory and appellate tribunals. Since 2002, she has focused her practice exclusively on alternative dispute resolution, including facilitated negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. She has a national and international dispute resolution practice, with extensive experience in a broad range of areas, including:
Insurance (E & O, property, personal injury, coverage) disputes;
Commercial (shareholder, leasing, expropriation) disputes;
Transportation (marine, aviation, rail) disputes;
Workplace (employment, WCB, OHS, privacy, discrimination) disputes;
Class actions; and
Large, complex multiparty disputes.
Over the years, Barb's mediation skills and pragmatism have been consistently recognized by her peers in the domestic, national, and international ADR communities. She is a frequent presenter to members of both the legal and related professions on ADR-related topics and a mentor and coach to numerous ADR students and professionals.
Education
Called to the Bar of British Columbia 1990
BC Court of Appeal – Law Clerk to the Honourable Carrothers & Hinkson J.J.A. 1988-1989
Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Victoria 1988
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Linguistics), University of Alberta 1985
Speech Sciences Licentiateship, University of Leeds, United Kingdom 1978
ADR-Related Affiliations, Activities & Recognition
2013–2027 recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ for Alternative Dispute Resolution
2022–2027 recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Commercial Mediation by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
2011–2026 recognized for Commercial Mediation in Lexology Index: Canada (formerly Who’s Who Legal: Canada)
2025 Appointed King’s Counsel
2014 and 2021 named Lawyer of the Year (ADR) by Lawyer Monthly
2020 named Lawyer of the Year (ADR) by Best Lawyers
2016–2018 Judicial Justice of the Peace for the Provincial Court of British Columbia
Distinguished Fellow and member of the Board of Governors of the International Academy of Mediators.
Chartered Mediator and Chartered Arbitrator, ADR Institute of Canada
Member, ADR Institute of British Columbia
Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute
Charter Member, Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals