Joseph Ensom

Managing Partner

Joe is an experienced trial and appeal lawyer and co-founder of Poulus Ensom Smith LLP. He regularly acts for corporations (both public and closely held private companies), and their directors, officers, and shareholders. His experience includes contract disputes, professional negligence claims, injunctions, real estate disputes, corporate governance matters, shareholder oppression claims, defamation claims, and securities litigation. He also acts for Indigenous governments and individuals in litigious matters.

Joe has been recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation Canada and for his outstanding professional excellence in Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers in Canada.

Joe has appeared as counsel before all levels of Court in British Columbia, the Federal Court, and the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench. He has represented clients before administrative tribunals and regulators including the BC and Ontario Securities Commissions. Joe has also navigated numerous alternative dispute resolution proceedings including private arbitrations and mediations.

Known for his strategic thinking and attention to detail, Joe approaches dispute resolution through a commercial lens. He understands his clients' business objectives and how best to achieve them. Whether the path is a negotiated resolution or a hard-fought trial, Joe has the technical skills and experience to successfully navigate any dispute.

Education

University of Toronto

J.D. 2012

University of British Columbia

B.A. 2009

Bar Admission

Ontario, British Columbia

2013

Recognition

Benchmark Litigation Canada, Litigation Star, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Canada, 40 & Under Litigator Canada, 2023-present

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024-present

Community Involvement

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Vancouver Bar Association

Member, The Advocates' Society

Select Works

1385673 BC Ltd. v Nobox Limited, 2025 BCSC 325. Counsel for the Plaintiff in a dispute related to the purchase of a business-to-business software application, including breach of contract and misrepresentation issues.

Confidential International Arbitration (2024). Counsel to a US-based developer in an international arbitration against a Canadian clean energy company regarding development rights in Australia

Thunderstruck Resources Ltd. v Bonga Xploration Drilling Supplies Ltd., 2022 BCSC 404. Counsel for the plaintiff and related parties in a complex dispute arising from the breakdown in the relationship between Thunderstruck, a mineral exploration company operating in Fiji, and Bonga Xploration Drilling Supplies Ltd., a drilling contractor.

One West Holdings Ltd. v The Owners, Strata Plan LMS 2995, 2021 BCSC 473. Counsel for the developer One West Holdings Ltd. in the successful prosecution of a 34-day trial to recover a commercial parking area unlawfully seized by a strata corporation.

Concord Pacific Acquisitions Inc. v. Oei, 2017 BCSC 236. Counsel for Concord Pacific Acquisitions Inc. in the successful defense of a five-day summary trial application brought by the owner of the Plaza of Nations land.

Smith v Fancamp Exploration Ltd., 2021 BCSC 1758. Counsel for Fancamp Exploration Ltd. in the successful dismissal of a Petition brought by dissident shareholders in a proxy contest.

Jaguar Financial Corporation v. Alternative Earth Resources Inc., 2016 BCCA 193. Counsel for Alternative Earth Resources Inc. in the successful appeal of two judgments which had found that the company and its directors had oppressed a minority shareholder.

Seyedalikhani v Mansouri, 2023 BCSC 1902. Counsel for the defendants in the successful dismissal of a defamation claim arising from a regulatory complaint.

Blizzard Uranium Corp. v Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP, 2024 BCSC 2197. Counsel for the plaintiffs in a complex negligence claim against a commercial litigation lawyer.

Squinas v. Lhoosk'uz Dené First Nation, 2023 FC 612. Counsel for Lhoosk'uz Dene Nation and its councillors in a judicial review proceeding challenging the suspension of the Nation's Chief from office.

Publications

CBA-BC Civil Litigation Webinar, Duty of Honest Performance in Contracts (May 19, 2021)

Counsel Comment, Jaguar Financial Corporation v. Alternative Earth Resources Inc., 2016 BCCA 193 (June 2016, Take Five British Columbia Edition)

Counsel Comment, Barafield Realty Ltd. v. Just Energy (B.C.) Limited Partnership, 2015 BCCA 421 (November 2015, Take Five British Columbia Edition)

Legal Assistant Helen Nicol (778) 727-3505 hnicol@peslitigation.com

Awards

Benchmark Litigation: 40 and Under 2023 Benchmark Litigation: 40 and Under 2024 Benchmark Litigation: 40 and Under 2025 Benchmark Litigation: Litigation Star 2025