Michael Tammen practices primarily in the area of criminal defence. He has represented clients in some of British Columbia’s best known cases, including the Frank Paul Inquiry and the Air India trial.
Earlier in his career Michael served as Crown Prosecutor. He then established a successful criminal law practice with Richard Peck, QC before joining Harper Grey LLP.
Representative Client Work
- Co-Counsel for one of two Accused in the Air India trial
- Counsel for the BC Civil Liberties Association in the Frank Paul Inquiry
- Counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Nagra (1994), a case involving passport fraud and allegations of Sikh terrorism
- Counsel on numerous major multi-count cases involving allegations of historical sexual abuse
- Counsel in the Court of Appeal on numerous matters, both for the Accused/Appellant and the Crown/Respondent, including several successful appeals from first degree murder convictions
- Occasional work as Crown Counsel in matters generally involving potential or perception of conflict within the Attorney General’s Ministry
- Co-Counsel for one of the Defendants in the Nanaimo Commonwealth case (otherwise known as the "Bingogate" case)
- Counsel for the Respondent in Truong v. The Attorney General, a case in which the Court of Appeal upheld the Trial Judge's finding that Court Interpreters are government employees in the context of wrongful dismissal actions
Speaking Engagements
- Frequent Guest Lecturer, Law Society of British Columbia’s Professional Legal Training Course and with Continuing Legal Education courses
- Guest Instructor, University of British Columbia (UBC)Law School Advanced Trial Advocacy Course
Professional & Civic Activities
- Member, Canadian Bar Association (CBA)
- Member, International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law
- Past Chair, CBA (BC) Criminal Justice Subsection
- Member, Law Society of British Columbia
- Member, Vancouver Bar Association
- Member, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
- Supervising Lawyer, UBC Law School Criminal Clinical Program
