"His favorite client was Harkley Haywood, which sold all manner of hunting and fishing gear," remembers Bryan Baynham, Q.C. "No one received better service nor paid less for their legal advice than the owners of Harkley Haywood."
Terence Crosby O'Brien, or Terry to friends, spent his whole career at Harper Grey LLP (which at the time he was hired for articles was known as Harper, Gilmore, Grey, de Vooght, Levis, van der Hoop, MacKinnon, and Pyper). He practiced general corporate-commercial solicitor work there until his retirement in 1999.
Terence O'Brien was born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Fort Langley, BC. He attended the University of British Columbia, where he obtained both a B.A. and an LL.B. During his time at UBC he was a member of the Canadian Officers' Training Corporation, and served as a reservist until his graduation from law school in 1960. O'Brien's first position after law school was as Secretary to the High Commissioner, United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland. He soon returned to article in Vancouver in 1964.
Mr. O'Brien was a dedicated supporter of the Conservative Party, and served extensively in the administration of the party. He was a longtime delegate to Conservative National Conventions and Leadership Conventions, attending every one from 1956 until 2007. He was the president of the Vancouver Quadra Riding Association and worked on the campaigns of several MP's, including the Honourable John Fraser, Bill Clarke, Pat Carney, and the Right Honourable Kim Campbell.
Terence O'Brien was a passionate advocate of the environment, and donated much of his time to protecting and preserving British Columbia's natural beauty. He was a founding director of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund of British Columbia, a founding director of the re-constituted BC Conservation Foundation, the Honourary Solicitor for the BC Wildlife Federation, and an active member of the Upland Bird Society. His other passions included his 1949 Jagular MB Tourer, but when his 5 grandchildren arrived, spending time with them was his utmost priority.
Terry was awarded the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his service. He passed away in 2015.