Duncan James Reid

Duncan is a U.S. and Canadian cross-border lawyer with broad experience in strategic matters of crucial importance to his clients. Duncan has advised on significant and high-profile matters across a broad range of industries, including technology, forestry, energy, mining, hospitality and commercial real estate.

Duncan’s practice includes a significant number of Canadian and international M&A transactions, with a particular emphasis on cross-border U.S. matters for Canadian clients. Over the past 23 years, he has advised on transactions with clients and counterparties in more than 25 countries worldwide and more than 40 U.S. states. As part of that, Duncan has advised buyers, sellers and investors on the acquisition and development of many high-profile hotel projects in Vancouver, Toronto and across the U.S.

Duncan also advises the B.C. forest industry on the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute, one of the world’s most complex international trade matters.

Most recently, Duncan has advised several First Nations on the development of major Canadian clean energy projects in partnership with leading industry proponents.

Helping clients of all kinds identify and achieve the best strategic outcomes in complex situations is Duncan’s key focus.

Prior to returning home to Vancouver with his family and joining Farris in 2012, Duncan was an Executive Director and Senior Counsel at Goldman Sachs in London and Hong Kong. Before Goldman Sachs, Duncan was an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, one of New York’s leading law firms, in New York and London.

Duncan actively supports many community institutions. He is also involved in a variety of non-profit leadership roles, including as Co-Chair of McGill’s Canadian Advisory Board, Chair of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and Director and Member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.

Year of Call

2004

Legal Recognition

•Lexpert Leading Lawyers in Canada (2026)
•The Best Lawyers in Canada (2026)

In the News

Recognition

61 Farris Lawyers Recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers in Canada Directory

September 4, 2025

Sponsorship

Farris Supports the BC Council of Forest Industries

April 7, 2025

Recognition

61 Farris Lawyers Recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyers in Canada Directory

August 29, 2024