The founder of Billington Barristers, Richard N. Billington, K.C. has practiced law as trial, appellate and regulatory counsel since 1984. In addition to his experience before all levels of Court in Alberta, as well as the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, he has also appeared before the courts of other provinces and territories. Rick is also experienced in mediation and arbitration.
The foundation of Rick’s practice is his experience before the court in all manners of civil dispute, particularly emergency pre-trial applications to fight fraud and corporate oppression. His clients include energy companies, oil field service providers, investors, corporate boards, inventors, accounting firms, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and financial institutions. Rick has extensive experience in protecting employer interests against employees or former employees who breach fiduciary duties or confidentiality obligations, in corporate/commercial litigation and corporate insolvency and restructuring. He serves employers from a wide range of industries in wrongful dismissal actions. In addition to wrongful dismissal matters, Rick is experienced in dealing with professional partnerships where departing partners allege breach of duties of good faith.
Rick is regularly called on to address industry and professional groups on employer protections against misappropriation or oppression claims and remedies to fight fraud. Rick is sought out by clients and other law firms for his experience in obtaining and defending against extraordinary remedies including injunctions and emergency orders. His work is often precedent setting, and over 80 of his cases have been reported in the law reports. He is frequently retained as co-counsel by other firms to augment their team with his experience.
Rick has dealt with situations where key employees may also be shareholders or directors of corporations. When disagreements arise, those employees may commence litigation claiming relief against oppressive conduct and claiming wrongful dismissal. Rick’s experience includes acting for the businesses facing such claims and in developing strategies to quickly and successfully counter these allegations.
Rick is a committed supporter of oral advocacy training, including at the Faculties of Law and Management at the University of Calgary. He is a donor of the Baker/Billington cup for oral advocacy at the UCalgary Law School. He is active in his community including involvement in charitable and educational organizations. The Province of Alberta appointed Richard Billington as Queen’s Counsel in 2005.
September 2024, Edmonton
Panel Chair: Legal Education Society of Alberta: Practice Essentials for Lawyers in the First 10 Years.
May 2024, Lake Louise
Before They Know What Hit ‘Em: Fraud Litigation.
October 2022, Toronto
24th Annual Fraud Conference “The Midnight Runner: Employer Protection Against Fraud by Employees & Departing Employees”.
May 2021, Calgary
Calgary CPD Conference “Anton Piller Orders”
July 2020, Calgary
Analysis of Current and Proposed Anti-Trafficking Legislation.
September 2018, Edmonton and Calgary
Advanced Matrimonial Litigation Seminar “Corporate Mischief”.
May 2018, Lake Louise
51st Lawyers Annual Refresher “The Tangled Web We Weave”.
September 2015
presented to Business Crime Solutions Money Laundering Conference, Banff,
Toronto, May 2015
presented to Association of Certified Forensic Investigators National Conference,
Toronto, February 2011
Presented to the Canadian Institute’s Provincial and Municipal Liability Conference,
January 2010
Presented to the Canadian Bar Association at the Alberta Law Conference, Calgary,
September 2009
Presented to the Canadian Institute, Advanced Insolvency Law & Practice Conference, Vancouver,
Presented to the Association of Certified Forensic Investigators.
Presented to The Canadian Institute.
Presented to the Canadian Plant Technology Association.
Presented to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Presented to Insight Seminars.
If you have any questions at all, or you would like to set up a consultation with Richard Billington, please call him directly at (403) 930-4101 and he will be happy to help!
Our lawyers provide representation in a wide range of disputes and complex court cases, acting for clients locally and across Canada. Billington Barristers represents individual and corporate clients whether they are a plaintiff or a defendant in a dispute. Our lawyers often act on referrals from other law firms where there is a conflict of interest, a complex litigation matter, or as a court-appointed Independent Supervising Solicitor in specializing injunction matters.