Meghan Forhan

Principal

Meghan Forhan (she, her, hers) is a Principal at Pender Litigation. Before joining the firm, she served as an Equity Partner at another boutique criminal defence firm in Vancouver, BC. With over a decade of litigation experience, Meghan has earned a strong reputation for her skillful advocacy.

Meghan is an accomplished trial lawyer committed to upholding her clients' Charter rights and demanding police accountability. Her practice includes a broad range of serious criminal matters, including charges of sexual assault, child luring, drug trafficking, domestic assault, aggravated assault, firearms offences, fraud, impaired driving and dangerous driving causing death. She is ranked as one of Vancouver’s best DUI lawyers, according to the Three Best Rated ranking.  

With experience as an ad hoc prosecutor, Meghan possesses a keen ability to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. She is also a skilled negotiator, adept at securing optimal plea deals when advantageous. Meghan listens to her clients’ needs and works with them to ensure they get the best result possible.

Meghan has extensive experience in defending clients against charges of sexual assault. Her expertise includes navigating the complexities of pursuing s. 276 and s. 278 applications when necessary, and executing effective cross-examinations, based on a strategic approach to each case. She is also an advocate for the use of Restorative Justice in appropriate matters.

Meghan was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2015 after receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria in 2014. In 2022, she was admitted to the Yukon bar as well. She has successfully argued cases at all levels of court in British Columbia, including the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Provincial Court, and has experience in conducting jury trials.

Recognized for her expertise in criminal law, Meghan is frequently invited to share her knowledge with her colleagues. She has contributed to the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), writing on the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences and presenting on legislative amendments to impaired driving laws. Additionally, she has presented for the Trial Lawyers Association of BC [TLABC] on pre-charge negotiation tactics and the implementation of Restorative Justice in sexual assault cases. Meghan is also a contributing author to the 5th edition of CLEBC’s "Introducing Evidence at Trial" textbook.

Beyond her legal practice, Meghan supervises young lawyers through the UBC Law Students Legal Advice Program and volunteers with Access Pro Bono. When not immersed in law, you can find her hiking the beautiful West Coast trails with her rescue pup, Joey.

Education

  • University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Arts, 2011

  • University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, Juris Doctor, 2014

  • Admitted to the British Columbia Bar, 2015

  • Admitted to the Yukon Bar, 2022

Positions

  • Pender Litigation, Principal, October 2024 – Present

  • Mickelson, Whysall, Moore & Forhan, Law Group, Equity Partner, September 2022 – September 2024

  • Mickelson & Whysall Law Corp., Associate Counsel October 2016 – September 2022

  • Jabour, Sudeyko, Lucky Law Firm, Associate Counsel, November 2015 – September 2016

  • Articled Student, Hon. Judge Mark Jetté, Sutherland Jetté Barristers, May 2013 – May 2015

Selection of Reported and Notable Cases

Selection of Articles, Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Contributing Author, “Introducing Evidence at Trial: A British Columbia Handbook”, 5th Ed., CLEBC; Chapters on Judicial Notice & Collateral Fact Rule.

  • Presenter, “Defending Clients in Sexual Offence Prosecutions 4: Resolving Charges or Stopping Them Before They Start”, Trial Lawyers Association of BC (June 2023).

  • Contributing Author, “Adams v British Columbia (Superintendent of Motor Vehicles) 2019 BCCA 225: Counsel Comments”, Take Five British Columbia Edition (Jul 1, 2019).

  • Author, “The Fight For Judicial Discretion: Constitutional Challenges to Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Canada

  • Author, “The Fight For Judicial Discretion: Constitutional Challenges to Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Canada”, Canadian Bar Association paper.

 
Meghan Forhan