Find Lawyers in Calgary, Alberta for Insurance Law
Practice Area Overview
Insurance law is a wide-ranging practice area that involves providing insurers with advice on governance issues, regulatory compliance, and the interpretation and application of insurance policies, as well as representing insurers and their insured before the courts.
Insurance law practitioners generally also provide advice and counsel to a range of other participants in this industry, including agents, brokers, claims adjusters, and reinsurers, on all aspects that are incidental to the market for insurance products and services, whether litigious or not.
Specialists in insurance law must have an in-depth understanding of the statutory and regulatory framework for the industry and the ability to draft and interpret insurance policies, manage complex litigation files, and provide effective advocacy and representation before the courts in a variety of coverage categories, including life and health insurance, liability and professional liability insurance, directors and officers liability insurance, property-casualty insurance (which includes automobile insurance, aviation insurance, boiler and machinery insurance, and builder’s risk insurance), reinsurance, surety and fidelity insurance, credit insurance, legal expenses insurance, as well as in matters of insurance fraud.
The statutes, regulations, and directives of regulatory bodies to which insurers are subject are numerous, complex, and constantly evolving, particularly since the global financial crisis. The consequences of regulatory non-compliance can have a major impact on the financial and operational levels, and in terms of reputational risk. One important facet of insurance law consists of advising insurers on regulatory compliance and providing guidance on strategic decisions to be taken in wide variety of contexts, such as the creation of new insurance products, regulatory inspections, the protection of personal information, and the distribution of financial products and services.
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...
Taryn Burnett is a partner in firm's Calgary office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation and privacy related matters. In her civil litigation practice, Taryn's practice focuses on professional and product liability. Taryn acts on product liability cases in various industries, including the automobile industry, where she has been the trusted adviser to a large industry client migrating their risk, providing creative solutions and delivering dedicated client service. In addition, she regul...
Pat is a civil litigator focusing on construction law , professional liability , commercial insurance , personal injury and other insurance related disputes. In order to fund his education and other pursuits Pat worked in various roles in the heavy construction industry from 1998 to 2011, eventually becoming a supervisor for a large construction contractor. He has significant experience in heavy construction and infrastructure delivery focusing on water and sewer, road building, and earthwork...
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...
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...
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. ...
Brian Kapusianyk is a partner in the firm’s Calgary office, practising in the areas of insurance and commercial litigation with an emphasis in professional liability, construction law, D&O litigation, commercial insurance coverage and defence, as well as personal injury and products liability litigation. He has acted on matters in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Yukon Territory. He has appeared in the courts at all levels including the Federal Cour...
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...
Megan is a Partner in the Verjee Law Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group, which encompasses a range of commercial litigation matters from general commercial and contract issues to shareholder and partnership disputes as well as administrative and employment law matters. Megan has appeared before the Provincial Court of Alberta, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and the Alberta Court of Appeal. Megan has over 20 years of vast experience in the area of insurance law and provides ...
Patricia Olyslager completed her law degree at the University of Calgary and was called to the bar in 2000. Patricia completed her articles with Parlee that same year. She then moved on to another firm and rejoined Parlee in 2013, becoming a Partner in 2019. Patricia’s practice primarily focuses on litigation, specializing in insurance coverage and defence, disability, product liability, and commercial litigation. Prior to attending law school, Patricia received a degree in nursing from...
Geoff Poelman practises in the litigation group with a focus on complex commercial litigation within the energy industry, construction law, and insurance defence. He has been involved in matters at all levels of court in Alberta, having experience with proceedings including contractual disputes, statutory interpretation and negligence. Geoff has successfully managed multi-party actions with complex procedural issues, often participating in a variety of alternative dispute resolution processes...
Creative and thorough, Sue Remmer believes in a practical approach as to whether a situation requires litigation or mediation. With her attention to detail and talent for uncovering facts, she sees the big picture of the situation to find a fair resolution in complex litigation matters. Sue practises primarily in the area of insurance defence and has a particular strength in defence work on the personal injury side. She handles complex litigation, including fatality claims, serious personal i...
Paul Stein is a Partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary office. He practises in the area of commercial litigation with an emphasis on fire, oilfield, directors and officers, professional liability, environmental, product liability, property and industrial claims, coverage litigation, class actions, construction, commercial and shareholder disputes. Paul has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, various administrative tribunals and has also conducted matters in British Columbia, Saskatchewa...
During his 29 years of practice in the insurance and commercial litigation fields, Zul has been involved in a number of complex litigation matters. A seasoned litigator, Zul has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and the Federal Court of Canada on a wide array of civil litigation matters including general liability claims, commercial disputes, complex personal injury claims, fatality claims, fire losses, construction losses, interpretation of wrap-up liability policies and S.E.F. ...
Eric Blay is an associate in the Advocacy Group. He represents domestic and international clients in commercial litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Eric’s practice focuses on corporate commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including shareholder disputes, contractual disputes, real estate and construction-related litigation, asset and debt recovery, occupiers’ liability act claims, coverage, and professional negligence.
Christiana joined Parlee McLaws’ Calgary office as an Associate in 2014 upon the completion of her Articles with the firm, having been previously admitted to the practice of law in New York State in 2010. She is an experienced trial and appellate litigator with a practice focused on civil litigation and administrative law, specifically in the areas of energy, construction, aviation, municipal governments, and insurance. Christiana has represented clients before the Alberta Court of Just...
Michael is a commercial litigator in our Calgary office. He is experienced in advising on and litigating complex disputes involving shareholders, oil and gas stakeholders, commercial real estate developers, and corporations facing contractual issues. His work includes trial advocacy and appeals, private arbitrations, and offering advice on risk management. He appears as lead and co-counsel for clients during the entire life of a litigation file, from commencement to enforcement. Michael also ...
Filippo Titi is an Associate at JSS Barristers. His practice spans the areas of civil and commercial litigation, including corporate & commercial disputes, employment matters & professional negligence claims, as well as administrative & constitutional law. Education Born and raised in Calgary, Filip graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts, with distinction in political science, and from the University of Alberta with a Juris Doctor, with distinction. Civil...
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