Doreen Saunderson, the firm's Managing Partner, is a Calgary-based trial and appellate lawyer focusing on insurance litigation, often involving difficult product liability claims and health care and other professional service disputes. Her clients are in the oil and gas sector as well as builders and construction companies and trades. "My clients include material and equipment manufacturers and distributors as well as healthcare providers, accountants, architects and engineers throughout southern Alberta."

Insurers seek Doreen's advice and representation for various types of personal, commercial and specialty lines insurance, coverage options and assessment of claims, including:

• Motor vehicle
• Property
• Commercial General Liability
• Product liability
• Directors and officers liability and
• Professional liability policies

She handles defence of insureds, pursuit of subrogated claims, coverage opinions and acting for insurers in coverage actions. This work has included a wide variety of claims, including those relating to media defamation, occupiers liability, health care, professional errors and omissions, transportation, construction, environmental, pollution, fidelity and manufacturing or design defects. In addition, Doreen provides seminars to insurers relating to legal issues of interest to them. "My energy experience is plant, pipeline and well-related and includes environmental claims following accidental releases."

In the health industry, Doreen has represented health care organizations, hospitals and their employees in negligence claims. She has also represented compensated sureties in construction matters and energy companies as well as service companies in commercial, tort and environmental litigation. In addition, she has represented municipalities, pursuing recovery on their behalf and defending claims against them. Doreen also acts for a variety of other clients on general litigation matters, including construction and related claims.

Doreen has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta and before administrative tribunals. She has also assisted clients with various forms of alternate dispute resolution, including private mediation, judicial mediation and arbitration, including work on a major international arbitration.

Value to Clients

"I have experience on both sides of the docket, which helps in building a litigation strategy in collaboration with a client, whether I'm defending or prosecuting a claim. I also know the insurance industry and appreciate the importance of strong, consistent client communication and listening, solid advocacy skills, friendliness, responsiveness, practical judgment, candor and accessibility."

Outside of Work

"I hike, bike and cross-country and downhill ski. My husband and I sail together when we travel internationally, something that's relaxing and mentally engaging at the same time." Doreen also loves to read historical novels and an occasional biography.