Jim Boughton is the founding partner, for which our firm still bears its original name.
Born on January 9, 1919 in Vancouver, Jim evenutally attended the University of Washington State College, Pullman, Washington, and then enlisted in the Army where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the Artillery, landed in France on D-Day and was mentioned in Dispatchers.
He attended law school at U.B.C. and graduated in 1949 with the second class to graduate from that school. He opened his practice in June of 1949 on the corner of Hornby and Pender Streets in Vancouver, and remained on that corner until 1981. Over the years there were several amalgamations and mergers. Originally called Boughton, Jensen and McConnell, in 1955 Jim merged his firm with the firm of Peterson and Anderson (Leslie R. Peterson and the Hon. Richard P. Anderson). This partnership would last more than 60 years. Among others who assisted the firm to set down a lasting foundation were Anderson J.A., W.A. Craig J.A., Walley Craig, P.C.J., Bill McConnell, Ed Mortimer, Kay Collins and Donald Dunfee.
Jim passed away on October 14, 1984 at the age of 65. He was an enthusiastic practitioner of law, a multi-faceted businessman and devoted to his family.
Boughton Law Corporation has been proud to bear the name of such an exemplary man for more than 60 years and will enthusiastically continue to pursue excellence in his honour.
Les Peterson was born on October 6, 1923. After serving in the Second World War from 1942-1946, he obtained his law degree at the University of British Columbia in 1949.
Mr. Peterson was called to the B.C. bar in July of 1949. His firm, Peterson and Anderson, merged with Boughton, Jensen and McConnell in 1955 and is, therefore, one of the founding partners of Boughton, Peterson, Anderson, Jensen & McConnell LLP.
Over his long and prestigious career Mr. Peterson earned many designations, and honourable roles within the public service sector. These distinctive roles included: Minister of Education from 1956 through 1965. During his term as education minister, the Province experienced perhaps its most dramatic extension of educational opportunities. Public universities increased from one to three; the community college system was established and BCIT was founded. He served as Minister of Labour from 1960 to 1971, President, International Association of Government Labour Officiation from 1964 through 1965, Chairman, Standing Committee, Canadian Ministers of Education from 1965-1966, and is Chancellor Emeritus, University of British Columbia.
In 1968 he became Attorney General of British Columbia until 1972. While Mr. Peterson held the office of Attorney General the Provincial Court system, as we know it, was established, the Judicial Council was created, as was the program to compensate the victims of crime.
His long list of achievements and accomplishments are innumerable. Mr. Peterson was honoured in November 2009 by the Law Society of British Columbia Benchers, where they celebrated his sixtieth year in the practice of law. Although Mr. Peterson officially retired from the practice of law in late 2009, Boughton Law Corporation will always be indebted to Mr. Peterson for his contributions to our firm and for his exceptional leadership within our community.
Some of Mr. Peterson's innumerable accomplishments can be viewed by clicking here.
