Phil Cote

Phil Cote

Partner

A founding partner at Cote & Evans Trial Lawyers, Phil has practiced law throughout the Lower Mainland and across the province of British Columbia since being called to the bar. Phil has extensive trial experience at all levels of court in British Columbia and has argued several cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. 

He began his career as a sole practitioner and has developed a broad based practice focusing on complex family law, civil litigation and criminal law matters. Phil also has extensive experience in appearing as counsel before various professional regulatory bodies. 

Phil provides his clients with practical advice, aimed at getting the best possible results for his clients. However, when required, he is prepared to aggressively pursue litigation to maximize his clients’ long term interests. Negotiation and deal making often produce the best possible results for clients and Phil is always on the lookout for the right deal. He prides himself in ensuring that his clients, through his advice and guidance, take thoughtful and well-reasoned positions that are defensible in law and in fact. In his experience, the combination of litigation pressure and a reasoned position create the ideal recipe for a great outcome. 

Phil is a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C., the New Westminster Bar Association and the Surrey Bar Association.

Selected Cases:

• Ishrat v. Anwar, 2023 BCSC 1838
• Zhao v. Fang, 2022 BCCA 227
• Banh v. Chrysler, 2022 BCCA 74
• Rohani v. Rohani, 2021 BCCA 464
• Waters v. Taylor, 2021 BCSC 1572
• Jean Louis v. Jean Louis, 2020 BCCA 220 
• Johal v. Mangat, 2020 BCSC 1148
• Lupien v. LeBlanc, 2019 BCSC 431
• Parton v. Moro, 2015 BCSC 2250