I was called to the bar in 2011 after graduating from the Queen’s University Faculty of Law. My career has been in private practice as a civil litigator – first at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP as an articling student and associate, then at Lawson Lundell LLP as an associate and partner. I have a broad general litigation practice, primarily focused on commercial disputes, which touches many different areas of law including complex commercial conflicts, real estate disputes, class actions, estate litigation, professional negligence matters, construction, engineering, and oil and gas disputes.
Early in my career, I volunteered for Calgary Legal Guidance. That experience reinforced the important role non-profit organizations play in helping address access to justice challenges by giving free legal guidance to individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
I have since served as a principal to two articling students and on Lawson Lundell’s conflicts committee, professional development committee, and Calgary office business development committee. That work has taught me the value of listening closely and respectfully to different perspectives while sharing my own perspective thoughtfully, striving for consensus while exercising independent judgment, and making decisions with fairness and integrity. If I am elected as a bencher, these values will guide my approach to serving the public.
Law societies are facing challenges in many jurisdictions across Canada and Alberta is no exception. An independent Law Society is essential to protecting the public interest and preserving the independence necessary for lawyers to fulfill their professional duties. As the practice of law evolves in this era of technological disruption, the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence will present new regulatory challenges for the profession. Tackling these issues in a manner that aligns with the Law Society’s mandate to protect the public interest will require sound judgment and governance.
Having practiced at a large regional multi-office and multijurisdictional firm, I would bring a personal understanding of the challenges faced by these types of firms to this role. My perspective would also be shaped by my experiences as the spouse of lawyer at a mid-size firm, the son of a rural lawyer, the brother of a lawyer at a national firm, and the brother-in-law of a lawyer at a boutique firm. These relationships give me an appreciation for the challenges these sizes of firms face as well.
Outside the practice of law, I love spending time with my wife Lauren, an extremely talented lawyer, my two young rambunctious and intelligent daughters, and our rescue dog and cat. I enjoy reading and following current events. In the winter, I snowboard and cycle. In the summer, I am at softball diamonds cheering on my daughters, cycling, struggling to find the fairway while golfing, or bleeding green while cheering for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
I have been blessed to enjoy a career in law and want to give back by serving the public as a bencher.
Thank you for your consideration.
