Statement

I am running for Bencher and would be grateful for your support and for an opportunity to serve the public interest.

I am proud to have called Calgary home for almost 50 years. I have studied here, practiced law here, and raised my family here. I graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.Sc. (1997) and an LL.B. (2001). After clerking at the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal, I articled at a national firm and then joined JSS Barristers in 2003, becoming a Partner in 2010. During my time at the firm, I have served on the firm’s Executive Committee (2015 to 2022), including time as the Managing Partner and the firm’s Chair. I have also been extensively involved with several firm committees, including our firm’s recruitment committee.

My civil litigation practice focuses on class actions, professional negligence claims, and corporate and commercial litigation matters. I have regularly appeared before the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, the Alberta Court of Appeal, and the British Columbia Supreme Court, and appeared as counsel in numerous mediations and arbitrations.

On behalf of plaintiffs, I have recently acted on complex cases involving investor losses, securities misrepresentations, product liability, and historic sexual abuses and sexual assaults. On behalf of defendants, I have recently acted on complex cases involving shareholder disputes, land transactions, employee pensions and stock options, aviation charges, and consumer protection.

In my professional negligence work, I have represented lawyers on more than 60 negligence claims. I have also represented lawyers in proceedings before the Law Society of Alberta.

Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, hiking, travelling, going to restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. I should probably spend more time hiking and less time going to restaurants.

Regarding community involvement, I currently sit on the Boards of Student Legal Assistance, the Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Society, and the Progressive Alternatives Society of Calgary or “PASC” (a non-profit organization that supports people with developmental disabilities to become a valuable part of the workforce and to engage in the local community). I also regularly volunteer to judge moots and debates at The University of Calgary Faculty of Law.

I am keen to give my time, energy and focus to being a Bencher.