Richard Dempsey was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with distinction in 1984 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1988. Upon graduation he articled with Richards Buell Sutton in Vancouver. After being called to the Bar in 1989, he worked as an associate and sole practitioner with a general practice which included barrister and solicitor work. Eventually, he practised mainly in the Fraser Valley in criminal and civil litigation. His criminal law experience is primarily as a federal prosecutor where he spent many days in court appearing on a wide range of federal matters. He has been at Kane, Shannon and Weiler since 2008 where he has focused on civil litigation representing people involved in insurance and personal injury claims.

Richard has been a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia since 1988. Interests include skiing, cycling, and hiking in the Coast Mountains. Richard has taught law at Douglas College and the People’s Law School. He continues to contribute to his community in a variety of ways, mostly involving his family and their personal pursuits.