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. He began his career as a sole practitioner and has developed a broad based practice focusing on trial work in both the civil and criminal law context.

Phil’s focus is on aggressively pursuing the best possible results for his clients. He takes a tactical approach to each file and implements a plan that maximizes each client’s long term interests. Phil’s experience has taught him that driving a case towards trial keeps the opposing party honest. The other side either makes a deal that protects his client’s interest or they’ll quickly find themselves standing before a Judge.

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 good deal.

Phil holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature from University of Ottawa and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario. He served in the Navy for five years before moving to British Columbia to start his legal career. He is a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C., the New Westminster Bar Association and the Surrey Bar Association.

Selected Cases:

• J.L. v. J.L., 2020 BCCA 220
• S.M. v C.M., 2019 BCSC 578
• M.M. v. J.D.M., 2016 BCPC 127
• M.P. v. G.M., 2015 BCSC 2250
• Whippy v. Akerley, 2015 BCSC 2430
• J.M. v. British Columbia (Superintendent of Motor Vehicles), 2014 BCSC 2256
• R.K.S. v. R.S., 2014 BCSC 1626
• B.L. v. B.H., 2014 BCSC 59