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Find Lawyers in Alberta, Canada for Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Practice Area Overview
Commercial litigation is a very broad practice area encompassing all disputes potentially arising in a business context. Consequently, practitioners in this area must have wide-ranging knowledge of both the business world and the myriad legal issues that can arise in that arena.
Commercial disputes may take on various forms, from breach of contract to shareholder disputes. Every litigious situation gives rise to a wide variety of remedies and recourses, such as an action for damages, a motion for an injunction, or a seizure before judgment. Furthermore, depending on their nature, such disputes can fall under the jurisdiction of several courts, each with its own set of rules.
In this challenging environment, commercial litigators must be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each situation and gauge their potential impact. Thorough knowledge of the commercial and operational issues at play will allow the practitioner to propose an appropriate litigation or ADR strategy, perhaps even a business solution.
Commercial litigation has evolved considerably over the years due to several factors, such as the near-universal adoption of information technology by businesses, and the increased complexity of commercial disputes. Add to that a slowing Canadian economy, and it is clear that commercial litigators must be prepared for war but open to peace.
Mark’s litigation practice focuses on construction disputes, insurance, and commercial litigation. His insurance practice covers a broad range of areas, with a focus on professional negligence, acting on behalf of architects and engineers in various types of construction claims. He also acts for manufacturers and suppliers in product liability claims, dealing with breach of warranty and negligence claims relating to allegedly defective equipment, materials, and consumer goods. Mark has ...
Bob Anderson is a corporate and commercial lawyer with over 30 years of legal experience. Bob provides down-to-earth representation to many owner-managed companies as well as individual clients. Bob’s practice covers a wide range of areas including agriculture and food production, corporate and commercial management, share and asset mergers and acquisitions, personal and corporate banking, financial services, and real estate. Bob continues to provide part time in-house legal services to...
Marco is a skilled litigator who represents clients in a wide range of disputes. He applies his considerable experience before courts and administrative tribunals to successfully defend his clients’ best interests. Marco’s diverse practice includes commercial litigation, insurance and risk management, professional discipline, and municipal matters. He has significant experience litigating contractual disputes and negligence claims, routinely representing energy companies, engineer...
A respected civil litigation lawyer, Robb Beeman’s first goal is to help people and find solutions to their problems. Known for integrity, common sense, and skill in dispute resolution, he likes nothing more than to help his clients find their way. He sees a client’s end goal and determines the best way to get them there. Robb represents companies, public-sector organizations, and individuals in employment, commercial, and regulatory disputes. He thoughtfully guides his clients th...
Gunnar Benediktsson practises primarily in the areas of commercial and corporate litigation and insolvency and restructuring. Mr. Benediktsson has represented parties to commercial disputes throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, and has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, and before the Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal in Saskatchewan. As an insolvency and restructuring lawyer, Mr. Benediktsson has a range of experience representing court-appointed recei...
Jennifer Biernaskie is a litigation strategist who finds solutions. She skillfully analyzes a claim from all sides, considering both the present details and what will happen down the road. The end result is a forward-thinking strategy that shapes a successful future for her clients. Her strong track record for resolving claims is based on skill, creative agreements and common sense in commercial litigation, insurance defence, and administrative law. With particular proficiency in high-complex...
David Bishop is a partner at Gowlings and head of Calgary's Advocacy Group. David’s practice involves all aspects of corporate/commercial litigation with an emphasis on directors' and officers' defence, product liability, professional liability disputes, shareholder disputes, class actions, large property and industrial claims, and environmental litigation. He is familiar with all aspects of dispute resolution, including private mediations, judicial dispute resolution conferences and ar...
Michael is a partner at Carbert Waite and co-chair of the firm’s commercial litigation and condominium practice groups. Michael has represented clients in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, the Provincial Court of Alberta, and in mediations and arbitrations. He enjoys appearing in Court when necessary, but focuses on finding economic and sensible solutions for his clients and works tirelessly to pursue their rights.
Jerri’s experience as a litigation lawyer is extensive, and includes insurance defence, insurance coverage and commercial litigation matters. Jerri has notable trial experience as lead counsel on numerous matters. Jerri has applied her skills and insight as an advocate in litigation matters including property loss, construction claims, occupier’s liability, contractual disputes, oil and gas, environmental, products liability, employer’s liability, professional liability and ...
Blair began his legal career with MacKimmie Matthews in 1986 and was a founding partner of Carbert Waite LLP in 1999. Blair’s diverse practice of law has taken him to Canada’s three coasts, advising and acting for individuals, corporations, estates, public institutions and governments. As a senior partner with Carbert Waite LLP, Blair engages on a wide range of difficult cases that demand an advanced understanding of the law, relentless inquiry into the facts, appropriate strategi...
Ray Chartier practises commercial litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, focusing on matters involving the energy industry, major infrastructure projects and the transportation sector. He also advises a broad range of clients on indigenous law issues, and on environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks, regulation and compliance issues. Ray's clients include project proponents, financial institutions and other stakeholders. Over the years, Ray has been involved in pipeline applic...
Arif is a commercial litigator based in Calgary. He has appeared at all levels of court in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada. Arif has experience in international arbitration and before administrative boards, including the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. Arif has represented large multinational corporations, product manufacturers, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, national sports organizations, franchisees and franchisors, general contract...
Deb Lister enjoys a litigation practice, representing clients in a wide range of industry sectors. Her breadth of expertise has earned her recognition as a Best Lawyer in Canada for the past 7 years in a number of areas, including corporate and commercial litigation, insurance law, and trusts and estates. Deb has a particular interest in shareholder disputes, director’s liability and corporate governance matters, contract law, professional liability claims and insurance law, both covera...
A full understanding of the complex issues in the construction, energy, and resource industries is critical to having a positive outcome in lawsuits, arbitrations, and negotiations. Corbin Devlin’s expertise brings everything needed to the table – technical knowledge, legal strategy, and practical business sense. Corbin balances all the intricacies – the people, the financial, and the technical – of the construction industry. He represents construction owners, general ...
Prior to and during the course of attending University, Brad was involved in the residential construction industry. After obtaining his law degree in 1989, Brad articled and practiced with Code Hunter Wittmann. In 1998 he joined the litigation team at Donahue Wells as a partner. In 2010, Brad joined Carbert Waite LLP. Brad has extensive experience as a litigator in a number of areas (with an emphasis on insurance related litigation, product liability litigation, aviation, and commercial litig...
Mike Donaldson, QC, has practiced energy, commercial, and securities litigation, and commercial arbitration in Calgary for over 25 years. He has extensive experience with claims in the electricity, oil & gas, midstream, petrochemical, and pulp & paper industries both before the courts and in complex commercial arbitrations. Mike has appeared as counsel in over 100 reported cases before all Alberta Courts, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada, the ...
For more than 20 years I have been focused on the resolution of business disputes. Over that time, the arbitral proportion of my practice has increased progressively, such that it now comprises a high majority, involving complex matters typically with at least tens of millions of dollars at stake. In 2005, I obtained a Certificate in Arbitration from the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (now the ADR Institute of Alberta) (ADRIA), based on 11 different relevant courses including 62 ho...
Like a game of chess, the pieces in commercial litigation are constantly moving; to effectively defend one position and advance another, it’s important to have a litigator capable of anticipating every move. That litigator is Ted Feehan. For over thirty years, Ted has helped clients settle difficult conflicts between shareholders, business partners, joint-ventures, suppliers, contractors, employers, employees, and customers. Ted navigates each case with attention and skill; he criticall...
Karen Fellowes, KC is Senior Counsel in our Advocacy Group, and the Western Canadian Leader for our national Restructuring & Insolvency Group. Her practice is based in Calgary and Vancouver, and she serves clients throughout Western Canada. Karen specializes in protecting the interests of banks, secured lenders, unsecured creditors, landlords and tenants, debtors, suppliers and other stakeholders in commercial re-organizations, workouts, restructurings and proceedings under the Bankruptcy...
Ken is an analytical and experienced litigator who has dedicated his career to defending clients in complex commercial and professional liability matters. He is a creative strategist and an effective communicator—qualities that make him a respected advocate in and out of the courtroom. In his commercial litigation practice, Ken has successfully participated in numerous litigation cases involving shareholder disputes, contract interpretation, medical malpractice, directors' liability, em...
Jamie Flanagan is an experienced advocate who has guided his clients through difficult times for more than 30 years. Focusing on civil litigation, he handles commercial and construction litigation, employment law disputes, and estate litigation. When a matter proceeds to trial, Jamie has the litigation experience to aggressively and thoroughly pursue his clients' interests. He has appeared before the provincial, superior, and appeal courts of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan on a w...
John leads the Condominium Management Group at Witten LLP. His practice focuses on condominium management law providing guidance and assistance to condominium corporations, directors, property managers and owners. He has represented clients on condominium related matters at all levels of Court in the Province of Alberta and has argued leave applications to the Supreme Court of Canada. He also practices in the areas of creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and insolvency, and commercial disputes...
Connor Glynn knows that being solutions-based is the difference between winning and losing. He has built a fruitful practice in general litigation, dental/medical malpractice and insurance litigation – it’s a practice in which your problems get solved. Although he likes to mention that he was born in Oxford, England, Connor lacks the scholarly accent and was raised in Canada from the age of two. Connor attended McGill University for his undergraduate degree, where he had the oppor...
Howard Gorman practises primarily in the areas of insolvency and restructuring and civil litigation. His practice has developed with emphasis on workout and recovery, insolvency, oil and gas and commercial disputes. Mr. Gorman has acted on behalf of numerous secured and unsecured creditors, insolvent or financially challenged corporations and individuals and insolvency practitioners in their capacity as receivers, trustees and monitors. His practice has resulted in numerous reported appearanc...
Robyn’s practice focuses on insolvency and restructuring, banking and oil and gas related litigation and general commercial litigation. She advises companies, boards of directors, shareholders, creditors and accounting professionals with respect to all aspects of restructuring and insolvency proceedings, whether informal or formal proceedings, both within Canada and on a cross-border basis. Robyn also acts for clients involved in general commercial disputes, banking specific litigation ...
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Mr. Halt graduated as the gold medal recipient from the University of Saskatchewan in 1986 and in 1988-89 he had the honour of serving as a law clerk to Madam Justice Bertha Wilson of the Supreme Court of Canada. Following his clerkship, Mr. Halt relocated to Calgary and has since practised civil litigation, including insurance with an emphasis on professional liability, corporate commercial litigation, securities litigation, franchise litigation, insolvency, construc...
Scott has a litigation practice focused on some of the most significant industrial and infrastructure construction impact disputes in Canada, including the development, assessment, quantification and litigation/arbitration of delay, extra, schedule extension and productivity issues, as well as product liability claims. Scott has extensive trial experience, representing clients in many major and complex disputes before Courts across Canada, and in commercial arbitration proceedings, both domes...
Darin Hannaford is an experienced litigator working with a wide range of industries in Western Canada. For more than two decades, Darin has provided practical legal advice to clients in a variety of contractual, construction, transportation, environmental, and regulatory matters. Darin has represented contractors across Canada in large construction claims and general contractual disputes. He has also acted for a number of corporate entities on commercial litigation and administrative law matt...
Sandra L Hawes, K.C. is a civil litigation lawyer and one of Miller Thomson’s leading insurance and commercial litigation specialists. She is the Regional Managing Partner for Western Canada and a member of the National Executive Committee. Sandra’s practice is focused primarily on insurance defence litigation including defence of life, disability, and critical illness insurance claims; professional errors and omissions claims in a construction context; commercial insurance claims...
Robert has extensive experience in oil and gas litigation and arbitrations, construction litigation, contract breach cases, First Nations governance, pension litigation and defamation actions, and he has represented clients in professional disciplinary matters before the Alberta Securities Commission, APEGGA, CREB and the Professional Conduct Committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He acts for a range of clients, from large corporations, pension funds and public institutions to indi...
An analytical thinker and skilled strategist, Graham’s collected demeaner arises from his exhaustive preparation and commitment to identifying appropriate solutions for clients. He brings depth of experience and pragmatism to each matter. Graham represents clients facing litigation through all phases of the process. His litigation experience spans a wide variety of industries including construction, commercial, and insurance and risk management. He is particularly skilled in advising an...
Jerry has been practicing in the areas of security enforcement and insolvency since his call to the bar in 1984. He has extensive experience representing corporate litigants at all Alberta Court levels. The majority of Jerry’s clients are institutional lenders, receivers, and trustees in bankruptcy, whom he represents in connection with the enforcement of security instruments and recovery of indebtedness. He acts on behalf of debtors, creditors (secured and unsecured), receivers, and mo...
Pragmatic in her approach to client service, Gillian is a versatile litigator with significant courtroom experience in the United States and Canada. With a diverse skillset, Gillian maintains a civil litigation practice primarily in the areas of insurance defence, commercial and condominium litigation. Gillian began her career as a lawyer in Nevada and California. There, she honed her skills working in private practice and as in-house counsel with a national insurance company. Industrious and...
Geoff Holub is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. His practice focuses on the areas of civil and commercial litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on oil and gas, construction and manufacturer's liability. Geoff has acted for companies, shareholders, directors and officers in a wide variety of corporate and securities disputes, including directors’ and officers’ liability, oppression, dissent rights and corporate opportunity cases. Geoff is involved ...
Bryan Hosking is a member of Miller Thomson’s Commercial Litigation Group, as well as the firm’s Restructuring & Insolvency Group. With respect to his Restructuring & Insolvency practice, Bryan has broad experience in security enforcement, secured and unsecured debt collection, and commercial and residential foreclosures. Bryan also has experience in acting for Receivers and Trustees in various insolvency proceedings.
Clarke Hunter has practised litigation and dispute resolution since 1980, following a clerkship with Chief Justice Laskin at the Supreme Court of Canada. He has represented clients in domestic and international arbitrations and mediations, at all levels of the courts in Alberta, in the courts of two other provinces, and in the Federal Court, the Tax Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. The disputes on which Mr. Hunter has acted have involved a broad range of subject matters, including abori...
Aaron has over ten years of experience handling a wide-range of litigation matters, including a large volume of construction and complex commercial and residential development disputes. Additionally, Aaron has extensive experience in employment litigation, advising and representing both larger corporate employers with hundreds of employees and individual employees with unique rights and interests.
Rob was been head of the Parlee McLaws LLP Labour and Employment Group for over 20 years and has extensive experience in the practice of labour and employment law. Rob advises a wide variety of federally and provincially regulated clients on labour and employment matters including grievance arbitrations, Part III Canada Labour Code adjudications, human rights complaints and hearings, wrongful dismissal litigation, dismissal planning, collective bargaining, privacy complaint hearings, defence ...
Greg has successfully litigated a wide variety of civil litigation matters and commercial litigation matters including energy related matters. Greg’s trial and appeal experience is extensive and he has appeared before every level of court in Alberta. Greg has also appeared before several administrative tribunals. He has been involved in the resolution of numerous disputes, using mediation, judicial dispute resolution and other ADR forums. Greg became a partner in Parlee McLaws in 1990. ...
Carsten is a founding member and senior partner of JSS Barristers, the largest civil litigation boutique law firm in western Canada. His practice emphasizes complex and multi-party corporate and commercial litigation, commercial class actions, oil & gas litigation including royalty, environmental and CAPL issues, shareholder disputes, advising creditors and others in insolvency matters and professional negligence claims. During a leave of absence from JSS Barristers, he served as Senior L...
Shannon joined Parlee McLaws as an associate in 2003 following the completion of her articles with the firm. She has focused her practice in the area of civil litigation, with a primary emphasis on oil and gas litigation and insurance defence matters. Specifically, in the oil and gas context, Shannon has extensive experience litigating all aspects of the industry including: Lease disputes Drilling contracts Service Agreements Constructive dismissal Breach of fiduciary duties Breach of confide...
Alex Kotkas is a leading, senior litigator at Fasken with extensive trial and appellate experience. Appearing as litigation and arbitration counsel and as an advocate before a variety of statutory boards and tribunals, he provides practical advice and outstanding advocacy in high stakes litigation. He is the founder and former Leader of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution group in Calgary.
Bianca, a native of Quebec City, is a bilingual lawyer with extensive experience in commercial, banking, and real estate law. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Barreau du Québec. In her current role as Practice Group Leader for the Commercial, Banking, and Real Estate department in Calgary, Bianca has been leading the group for several years providing legal advice to a broad range of clients. Bianca is a member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, whose reserve is loca...
Helping people is Bryan‘s primary focus. He works closely with his clients to find practical and cost-effective solutions in complex commercial litigation and business immigration matters. Bryan is an experienced courtroom advocate with a broad litigation practice. He handles contractual disputes, builders’ liens, debt collection, product liability, shareholders’ disputes, and disciplinary proceedings. He has a particular interest in construction disputes involving floods, f...
Keltie Lambert practices in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Indigenous Law and Employment Law. After graduating law school at the University of Victoria, she has been practicing with Witten LLP since 2004. She regularly appears before provincial and federal regulatory boards and tribunals on environmental and energy matters. She has appeared before all levels of court, including Federal Court Trial and Appeal divisions and the Supreme Court of Canada. Keltie enjoys serv...
Jim Lebo finds legal solutions that protect businesses. With his detailed knowledge of the people and the intricacies of the court system, he guides his clients through every step of the litigation process with skill and expertise. Jim handles corporate commercial litigation, appeals, and arbitrations. He has specialized expertise in appeals for complicated regulatory proceedings as well as an interest in constitutional litigation. His clients come to him for help with a range of issues in ma...
Steve Leitl's practice covers a broad range of commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on securities, M&A, directors'/officers' liability, class actions and internal investigations. Mr. Leitl has conducted proceedings in the courts of Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Canada (Federal Court) and appeals in the Ontario Court of Appeal and Alberta Court of Appeal. He has conducted various regulatory proceedings before the Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba securities commissions and the Albe...
Ellery was admitted to the Alberta bar in 1991 after completing his B.Sc. in Engineering (1987) at the University of Alberta and his LL.B. (1990) at the University of Toronto. A civil litigator, he focuses on commercial litigation, specifically intellectual property rights, licensing and franchise law, claims involving fraud or mortgage fraud, and construction disputes. He is also a trademark agent. Ellery contributes to his field outside the office as well. He is the former co-chair and a lo...
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