History of the Firm

The theme of the firm, Serving the Community Since 1911, is drawn from the fact that our founder, George L. Cassady, commenced the practice of law in British Columbia in 1911. At that time he was 22 years of age and articled with the firm Wade, Whealler, McQuarrie & Martin, as there would be no law school in British Columbia for another 34 years until 1945.

He next practised with Wade, Whealler & McQuarrie in 1912 and with McQuarrie, Martin & Cassady in 1914 until leaving to serve in the military. Upon his return he joined the firm McQuarrie, Martin Cassady & Macgowan in 1917 and then McQuarrie & Cassady in 1923.

He practised on his own in the Westminster Trust Building from 1925-1929 before being joined by Peter Lewis to form the firm Cassady & Lewis until 1943 when he was again a sole practitioner until being joined by F. Craig Munroe in 1946. In 1958 James R. Insley and George P. Cassady joined the firm as partners.

In 1960, the firm was joined by John P. Lauener who had articled with Ladner Downs in Vancouver. In 1962 after the appointment of Mr. Munroe as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the firm became known as Cassady, Insley, Cassady & Lauener. The founder George L. Cassady died in 1970. The firm moved to the third floor of the WSCU building on 6th Street and then to its present location on 7th Street in 1974. Edward A. Burgess became a partner in 1981.

The firm merged in 2000 with Thompson, MacDonald & Omichinski and became known by its current name Cassady & Company. At that time Brian J. Omichinski and Dorie-Anne Leggett joined as partners. John S. Dyer most recently became a partner in 2006.