Patten Thornton was founded in 1964 by Donald Patten. The firm has remained a cornerstone of the local legal community since then and has been at its present location since 1972.
Michael Thornton became a partner with the firm in 1991. Andrew Briscoe became a partner with the firm in 2002. Peter Thornton became a partner with the firm in 2018.
All three partners live in or around the Chilliwack area and have extensive ties to the community. The firm also has one additional associate lawyer: Nicholas Cooper, who joined the firm in 2017.
Peter grew up in the Chilliwack area and graduated from Chilliwack Secondary School in 2003. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in political science, from UBC in 2007. He also attended the Faculty of Law at UBC and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 2011. Peter was articled to Andrew Briscoe in 2011-2012 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2012. In 2018, Peter became a partner with the firm. Peter maintains both a litigation and solicitor-based practice, including advising corporate clients and assisting individuals with matters relating to real estate transactions, estate planning, and estate probate applications. He has appeared in all levels of the courts of British Columbia on a variety of matters and has assisted in successfully defending an application by ICBC to the Supreme Court of Canada to obtain leave to appeal a judgment of the BC Court of Appeal.
Professional Associations
- Law Society of British Columbia, member since 2011
- Chilliwack and District Bar Association, member and past President
- Trial Lawyers Association, member
Volunteer Organizations
- Big Brothers and Sisters of the Fraser Valley, former volunteer Big Brother
- Access Pro Bono, volunteer lawyer
- Rotary Club of Chilliwack Mount Cheam, member
- University of the Fraser Valley, guest speaker
- Student Mock Trials, volunteer
Michael began his legal career in England. He qualified as a solicitor and practiced in the West of England from 1979 to 1986. Michael came to Chilliwack, BC. In 1986, he articled to Don Patten and was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 1988. Michael has been a partner since 1991. Michael has practiced in many areas of the law including criminal defense, matrimonial law, and civil litigation. For the past 15 years, his practice has been primarily focused on ICBC/motor vehicle accident and personal injury litigation. Michael has appeared in all levels of court in the Province: the Provincial Court, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal.
Professional Associations
- Law Society of British Columbia, member since 1988
- Trial Lawyers Association, member
- Chilliwack and District Bar Association, member and past President
Volunteer Organizations
- Rotary Club of Chilliwack/Fraser, member
- Chilliwack Community Services, past Director
- Student Mock Trials, guest Judge
- UBC Law first year moot, past Judge
- Access Pro Bono, volunteer lawyer
Andy was raised in the eastern Fraser Valley and he has numerous ties to the community. He received his undergraduate degree from Simon Fraser University in 1994 and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1997. He was called to the Bar of the Province of British Columbia in 1998. Andy became a partner in 2002. Andy is primarily a litigator and he appears before both the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court on a regular basis. His practice includes family law and civil litigation. Andy has also acted on behalf of the Ministry of the Attorney General in several different capacities.
Professional Associations
- Law Society of British Columbia, member
- Chilliwack and District Bar Association, member and past President
Volunteer Organizations
- Chilliwack Middle School Mock Trials, Organizer
- University of the Fraser Valley, Guest Speaker
- Hope & District Minor Hockey Association, President
- Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association, Executive Member
- Chilliwack Restorative Justice Society, past Chair
Nick was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but was raised in Chilliwack. He obtained his BA (Hons.) in Psychology and English Literature from the University of the Fraser Valley and his LL.B (Hons.) from the University of Birmingham. Nick articled to Michael J. Thornton and has been an Associate with the firm since his call to the Bar in December of 2017. He practices mainly in the areas of Civil Litigation and Family law and welcomes enquiries in these areas.