Kenneth N. Burnett
Associate Counsel
Vancouver
604.643.1203
kburnett@millerthomson.com
Profile
Kenneth Burnett is Associate Counsel with the firm and offers a broad range of advice to clients in the areas of corporate, commercial and general business law. Over the years, Ken has provided strategic advice on a number of major commercial transactions, including those relating to aviation matters, joint venture agreements, commercial financing, taxation, transportation, and wills and estate planning. He also advises foreign investors on ownership vehicles for investment in Canada, and has extensive experience advising on pensions and share ownership plans as well as complex corporate structuring, restructuring and acquisition matters. His clients include transportation companies, resource companies, manufacturers and investment groups, a variety of business organizations and private individuals. He is also actively involved in advising not-for-profit groups and presently on the BC Law Institute Committee recommending changes to the Society Act of BC.
Ken is an active author and speaker. Among his efforts, Ken has written: “Buying and Selling Aircraft in Canada” (Air and Space Law Conference - American Bar Association, August 2000), “Unincorporated Business Associations” (Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements Conference, March 2006), and “The Set-up and Maintenance of Charities and Not-For-Profits” (CLE Conference, October 2006). He is a former managing partner of the firm.
Ken's philosophy is to provide clients with services based upon his experience and his ability to obtain a complete understanding of the client's business and its overall objectives.
Education
- LL.B., University of British Columbia, 1967
- B.A., (Economics and Political Science), University of British Columbia, 1964
Professional Achievements
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of leading lawyers for Aviation (Regulation and Liability)
Directorships
- Chair, Editorial Advisory Committee of the Probate Practice Manual for BC Lawyers
- Chair, Canadian Bar Association - Air and Space Law Section (BC Branch)
- Secretary, Pacific Coastal Airlines Limited
- Former Chair, Canadian Bar Association - National Air and Space Law Section
- Former Chair, Successions Trust and Fiduciary Relationships (BC Branch)
Memberships
- Member, Canadian Bar Association - Successions, Trusts and Fiduciary Relationships, Business Law, International Law sections
- Member, Association for Corporate Growth
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Vancouver Board of Trade
- Member, Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Presentations
- Mutual Wills and Agreements Regarding Distribution of Estates, CBA-BC Wills and Trusts-Okanagan section meeting, 2013
- Negotiating Shareholders' Agreements, Federated Press conference: "Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements", 2012
- Death is not the End: Administration Workshop, CLEBC Course, 2012
- Bill 4 - Wills Estates and Succession Act: The Proposed New Succession Law for BC, Miller Thomson Seminar: "Private Client Services Update", 2009
- BCLI Report on the BC Society Act and the Proposed Federal Non Share Capital Corporations Legislation, Miller Thomson Seminar: "Charities & Not For Profit Update", 2008
- Direct Sales to Canada, Business Risk, and Getting Paid in Canada, International Business Law Institute Conference: "Trade in the Americas", 2006
Published Works
- "Forestry Law" chapter (co-authored with Stephen Ross), Business Laws of Canada, Thomson Reuters Westlaw, 2010 (updated annually)
Publications
- BC Legislative Assembly Introduces New Community Contribution Company, Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter, April 2012
- B.C. Society Act Review - Government Consultation Process, Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter, January 2010
- British Columbia Protects RRSPs, RRIFs and DPSP Assets from Creditors, Wealth Matters, Winter 2008- 2009
- Aviation Emissions & Climate Change, International Trade, Customs, and Commodity Tax Bulletin, February 2008
- Reform of B.C. Society Act, Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter, September 2007
- B.C. Society Act Reform Project, Charities and Not-for-Profit Newsletter, October 2006
Industry Expertise
Key Practice Expertise
Year of Call
- British Columbia Bar, 1968