DWF LLP

Nigel practices general insurance litigation, primarily in personal injury defence, and leads our Defamation and Abuse Litigation groups. He finds creative solutions for clients in claims involving anything from occupier’s liability to nuisance to defamation. Meticulous preparation and strategizing have been the keys to Nigel’s success. He has extensive trial experience, appearing many times in the Supreme and Appeal Courts of British Columbia. Nigel is passionate about educating ...

Franco Cabanos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Franco, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Franco is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mtre Carignan has been working in general liability and insurance law for over 30 years. He is an experienced litigator and negotiator and holds the title of certified mediator, which is recognized by the Barreau du Québec. He acts mainly for insurers in all manner of liability disputes, and handles disciplinary matters, defending claim adjusters and brokers before various disciplinary committees. He became a certified mediator in 2019. He approaches delicate and complex disputes with ...

Ryan Darby's practice involves a broad range of general litigation and insurance defence matters with a particular emphasis on professional liability claims against accountants, financial planners, and design professionals, and a focus on complex, multi-party litigation. Ryan has extensive trial experience at the British Columbia Supreme Court level. He has also appeared before the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. His practice includes appearances before admin...

Andrew has been providing legal advice to the insurance industry and self-insured corporations for more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in multi-party litigation, including construction disputes; catastrophic bodily injury claims; subrogation of property loss claims; and coverage disputes, including defending coverage opinions in court. He has also handled claims relating to class actions, professional liability and directors’ and officers’ liability. Andrew is a freque...

John Fiddick joined Whitelaw Twining in 2012 as Litigation Counsel and the Chair of the Commercial Litigation Group. His practice involves a broad range of commercial and business litigation matters with a particular emphasis on insolvency and restructuring matters. He regularly represents senior and subordinate lenders, trustees and receivers and debtors in complex, multi-party litigation. These matters often involve the enforcement of security or court judgements. He has represented shareho...

Justine Forsythe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Justine, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lindsey Galvin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Lindsey, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lindsey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ayse Gauthier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Privacy and Data Security Law and Technology Law. Ayse, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ayse is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gerry Gill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Gerry, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gerry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mouna Hanna is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation and Privacy and Data Security Law. Mouna, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mouna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alexandre Maltas joined Whitelaw Twining in 2007. He practices primarily in the areas insurance law, construction law, and commercial and employment litigation. Alex is the head of the firm's Professional Liability Practice Group. Alex routinely defends architects, engineers and other design professionals. Alex also provides risk management and coverage advice in respect of design professionals. Alex also has experience with acting for professionals in a wide variety of disciplinary proceedin...

Erik P. Masse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Law. Erik P., who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erik P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan Mullins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Ryan, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly Murray joined Whitelaw Twining in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, Kelly worked for over 17 years with boutique litigation firms in Vancouver and focussed her practice on professional liability claims. Before that she gained early trial experience as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Ontario for four years. She now continues her professional liability practice at Whitelaw Twining defending real estate agents and lawyers against claims made against them in their professional capacity. Kelly...

Dan Shugarman's practice involves general insurance litigation and personal injury matters with a significant emphasis on catastrophic injury, product liability, and complex machinery failure claims. Dan has significant court experience in the British Columbia Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada. He recently appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada case that will dictate how judges across Canada render their judgements. He has participated in hundreds of mediations, succ...

Michael Silva joined Whitelaw Twining in June 2003 and became a Partner at the Firm in 2009. He practices in the area of general litigation, with a focus on transportation matters. Mike is one of two partners in charge of our Firm’s Marine & Transportation, Road Maintenance and Subrogation practice groups. Michael has appeared on behalf of clients in British Columbia Provincial and Supreme Courts, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, in Federal Court, and in a variety of administra...

Patrick is a senior results-oriented securities and corporate-commercial litigator. Patrick regularly represents brokers, brokerage firms, executives, professionals, directors and officers of private and public companies, shareholders and other business people with legal matters involving the capital markets before all levels of court, securities and regulatory tribunals (the British Columbia Securities Commission, IIROC, FICOM, Insurance Council and the insurance Council as examples). Patric...

Kim Wigmore's practice involves a broad range of insurance litigation with a focus on casualty, professional liability, and transportation-related insurance issues. He appears frequently in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Federal Court of Canada, and the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Kim also has extensive experience in mediations. Kim's particular areas of experience include: acting for defendants in all types of transportation-related accidents. including bodily injury and wr...

Chester Wydrzynski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Chester, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chester is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gaynor Yeung joined our team in 1998. She specializes in the litigation of personal injury and professional liability claims. Gaynor's clients include leading property and casualty insurers, international retail corporations, motor vehicle carriers, and leasing companies. She has resolved many complex matters through informal negotiations and formal mediations. Where a swift, economic resolution has not been possible, Gaynor has protected her clients' interests before all levels of British Co...

Gordon Becher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Gordon, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gordon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Merella Botros is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Merella, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Merella is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole Chang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Nicole, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Savannah Hamilton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Savannah, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Savannah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tanner joined Whitelaw Twining as an associate in 2021. Prior to joining the firm, Tanner practiced as a litigator with a focus on insurance defence at a regional firm. Tanner maintains a broad litigation practice with experience in product liability, bodily injury claims, professional liability, construction litigation, builders’ lien claims and coverage opinions. Tanner has also successfully represented clients in wrongful dismissal actions and Workers Compensation Board appeals. Tann...

Rebecca A. Sim is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Securities Law. Rebecca A., who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicholas W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Nicholas W., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.