John M. Cameron*
For the past 15 years John Cameron has acted exclusively for people injured in car accidents and other cases where people are injured through the negligent or criminal acts of others. John has helped over a 1000 people obtain compensation after injury. John has a very successful record taking matters to trial if the other side is not being reasonable. He has successfully conducted over 40 cases in BC Supreme Court and has also taken cases successfully to the BC Court of Appeal. Several of his more interesting and successful results have been featured in the Vancouver Sun and on television. Click the SUCCESSFUL CASES tab above for information on the kinds of cases John has handled.
There are a lot of legitimately injured people, nice people from all walks of life, who come to me for help. I’m talking police officers, fire fighters, people who don’t like to complain – they often tell me, “Look I’m injured and ICBC doesn’t believe me.” I find it very satisfying to help these people and I have come to realize that the danger isn’t the random, odd person trying to rip off the system, the danger is when honest, injured people are treated badly by some insurance company that looks at everyone like they are not being honest.
Having worked for 12 years as a police officer in the criminal justice system, I often found myself frustrated by how victims had no say in the outcome of their case and how the rules seemed slanted towards the accused. In the civil justice system, as a plaintiff or injured person you have a key role in how your case goes. You work as a team with your lawyer, and we can get justice because the system is balanced. There is no advantage to us or the other side, it’s all based on fairness to both sides. Coming from the police world that’s a huge improvement for me and I really get a lot of satisfaction out of that. – J.M.C.
John Cameron’s Pre-Law Background in Policing
John Cameron was born and raised in Vancouver. After graduating from Churchill High School he obtained a Criminology Diploma from Langara College and then worked as a loss prevention officer. In 1988 he joined the Vancouver Police Department. He worked as a patrol officer and then was transferred to Chinatown in 1991. John became very involved in police relations with the Chinese community and began studying Cantonese on his own initiative. By 1993 he was fluent enough to be the first North American police officer to travel to Hong Kong and attend the Hong Kong Police Cantonese School. In 1994 John wrote a series of articles published in the Vancouver Sun dealing with the problems posed by repeat offenders. This experience sparked his interest in studying law and he looked in to attending law school even though he did not have an undergraduate degree. He was accepted to UBC law school as a special exemption in 1995.
John continued to work as a police officer while studying law. John excelled in law school winning several scholarships and was awarded UBC’s overall outstanding student in 1997. In 1997 he returned to Hong Kong on exchange and studied law at Hong Kong University. While there he also completed the Hong Kong Government Advanced Cantonese Course in his spare time. As a result, John speaks fluent Cantonese.
In 2000, John ended his police career and switched to working as a lawyer. He is honoured to have been awarded a medal from the Lieutenant Governor for his distinguished police service. After leaving the police John also authored Cantonese for Law Enforcement a field translation guide for police officers.
John has frequently presented to lawyers here and in the United States on effective trial techniques. A member of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, John is also a proud supporter of:
- BC Children’s Hospital
- SPCA
- Animal Rescue Shelter
- Vancouver Thunderbirds Hockey Association
- Vancouver Police Foundation.
He enjoys working out, travelling and spending time with his long-time girlfriend Summer and his son.
*John Cameron provides legal services through John M. Cameron Law Corporation.
