Ralph Hildebrand

Ralph is Associate Counsel at Lidstone & Company. He most recently held the position of Corporate Counsel/General Manager Legal and Legislative Services at Metro Vancouver. Prior to his ten years in senior management at Metro Vancouver he was the Deputy City Solicitor at the City of Surrey for 18 years where he provided legal advice to the City Council and staff and conducted the City’s litigation. For over 30 years Ralph has provided legal advice and practical guidance to local governments on matters ranging from Aboriginal relations to zoning. He was actively involved in the International Municipal Law Association as Chair of the Canadian Section for 10 years; as a member of the Conference Planning Committee and as a presenter of numerous papers. He has also been a presenter at the Western Turf Association, the International Bar Association, Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, the Canadian Institute, the Canadian Bar Association, the Saskatchewan Bar Association, and Continuing Legal Education – BC. Ralph has also been actively involved in the Canadian Bar Association of B.C. as Chair of the Municipal Subsection, Chair of the Resolutions and Bylaws Committee and Provincial Council member.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), University of British Columbia
• Bachelor of Arts, Simon Fraser University

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

• Law Society of British Columbia
• Canadian Bar Association

AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award granted by the International Municipal Law Association
• Guinness World Record in Endurance Water Skiing (1337.46 miles) set as a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Policy and Procedure Development in the Municipal Context – Guest Lecturer – Advanced By-law Enforcement Course B.C. Justice Institute (1991-1995, 2004, 2007)
• Current Developments in Municipal Liability – Guest Lecturer – Capilano College Municipal Officer’s Program (1998)
• Recreation and the Law – Sessional Instructor – Columbia Bible College (1998-2013)
• Ramifications for Local Governments of the Legalization of Marijuana – IMLA 2018
• Ethics Primer for New In-House Counsel – Canadian Corporate Counsel Association – 2017
• Local Government Construction Contract – Moderator – IMLA 2017
• Ethics in a Relativistic World – CBA Saskatchewan Winter Conference – 2014
• Tsilhquot’in Nation v. British Columbia (It’s a Game Changer for Municipalities) – IMLA 2014
• Additions to Reserves – Canada’s Evolving Policy on Expanding First Nations’ Lands – IMLA 2014
• Statutory Consultation and Engagement with First Nations for Local Government – CLE BC – 2014
• The Role of In-House Counsel in Local Government – CBABC Municipal Subsection – 2014
• Ethics Rule 1.13 – Your Client the Organization – Moderator – IMLA 2012
• Ethics – A Round Table Discussion of Current Issues – IMLA 2011
• Water in Modern Societies – Satisfying Greed Rather than Need – International Bar Association – 2010
• Ethics – Anatomy of a Hoax: The Duke University Lacrosse Case and a Public Lawyer Duty – Panelist – IMLA 2008
• Walking the Line: Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas – IMLA 2007
• Ethics in a Relativistic World: A Return to First Principles – IMLA 2006
• What Sayest Thou – Current Issues in Defamation Law – Provincial/Municipal Government Liability Conference – 2005
• Waiver Use and Liability Avoidance – IMLA 2005
• Providing Legal Council in a Municipal Context – Canadian Bar Association Annual Conference– 2005
• Ultimate Limitation Periods: Armstrong v. West Vancouver – Provincial/Municipal Government Liability Conference – 2004
• Keeping Your Finger on the Digital Pulse: Current Issues in Document Management – IMLA 2004
• Current Canadian Municipal Law Summary – IMLA 1997 – 2004
• The Reform Movement on Joint and Several Liability – The Canadian Institute – Provincial/Municipal Government Liability Conference– 2003
• Working with Municipalities – Corporate Counsel CLE – 2003
• Joint and Several Liability Reform – IMLA 2003
• Riding the Needle of the Municipal Moral Compass – Who is Serving Who? – Canadian Corporate Counsel Association – 2001
• Ethics – IMLA 2001
• Building Inspection Liability – IMLA 2000
• Political Contributions and Conflicts of Interest – IMLA 1999
• Litigation Defense Strategies: Does taking a stand work? – IMLA 1998
• Privilege Gained and Lost – IMLA 1997
• Risk Management for Play and Sports Facilities – Western Turf Association – 1996
• Eminent Domain – Canada and US Differences in Expropriation – IMLA 1996