The Beginning
Mark Sager and Ron Nairne have known each other for most of their lives, both being from families with very deep roots in the community.
Mark was brought from the hospital after birth to his home above his parents’ furniture store in Dundarave. At that time it was known as “Sager’s Maple Shop” – and the building stands mostly unchanged to this day. Currently, it is home to The Red Lion Bar & Grill and Feast restaurant. Mark’s father saved West Vancouver’s oldest building, the original community hall, and he had the vision to build the center meridian with flower beds along Marine Drive. Mark’s love of West Vancouver is born out of his parents’ shared love of their home and community.
Ron’s father and grandfather were both senior architects at McCarter Nairne. This well-known and respected firm was responsible for many prominent buildings, including the famous Marine Building in downtown Vancouver which was the tallest building in the British Empire for many years.
Mark and Ron both graduated from Hillside Secondary School a few years apart. In fact, when Ron graduated, it was Mark who presented Ron with his graduation certificate, while serving the community as one of the youngest elected officials in Canada. Both Mark and Ron studied Philosophy at UBC and graduated from UBC Law School in 1989.
The Middle
After Law School they went on different paths as litigators, and on occasion they would find themselves on opposite sides of a case. None of that impacted their friendship and respect for each other. After Clerking the Court of Appeal and working for a large Vancouver based firm, Mark decided to return to West Vancouver to open his own practice. It was a natural migration for Mark to move into Municipal Law, given the exposure he had to such issue in his service as a councillor and Mayor. Over time, Ron gained great experience appearing in all levels of courts in British Columbia. Over the years, each time Mark saw Ron, he suggested joining him in West Vancouver where he would say quite correctly, “the commute to work and lifestyle of working in the community you live in cannot be beat.“
Not The End
Finally in 2020, as Ron’s law partner of thirteen years retired, the time was right for Ron to take Mark up on his offer. On January 1st, 2021, Ron and Mark started the year formally joining forces as Sager Nairne LLP.
Proud of their roots, they are eager to serve the community and province with the finest of legal services.