Michael Doerksen is an experienced research lawyer who helps clients requiring complex legal analysis. His practice has a particular focus on insurance coverage issues including automobile liability, municipal and general liability, director and officer liability, professional errors and omissions coverage, casualty coverage and cargo and transportation coverage. His experience includes a wide variety of commercial disputes ranging from property development issues to construction disputes and contract interpretation.
He has prepared written submissions in cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court, the Alberta Court of King's Bench, Alberta Court of Appeal, the British Columbia Supreme Court and various administrative tribunals in Alberta.
As Field Law’s research lawyer, Michael’s clients and colleagues look to him to thoroughly analyze legal issues and make the analysis accessible. Describing himself as having an "academic disposition", his aptitude for research and writing makes him the go-to person when clients need a comprehensive and knowledgeable legal opinion or a well-crafted written submission for a court, arbitration panel or tribunal. With more than 20 years of experience, Michael offers his clients the proficiency needed to write effective submissions that have received excellent feedback from the courts. Michael’s clients appreciate that his legal opinions consistently provide a candid and forthright assessment of the pros and cons of the client’s legal position.
Value to Clients
"In most litigation you can’t tell the client with 100 per cent conviction where the dispute will end up. But what I can do is to dig deep into an issue and offer some concrete recommendations clients can be confident in." One of Michael’s clients says of his insurance coverage advice: "You are full of wonderful information that makes my work seamless."
Outside the Office
His love of the fiddle keeps him busy. "I started playing when I was young. When I came to Field Law I found other musicians here and I became part of the firm band."
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Member
2003-Present
Law Society of Alberta
Member
2000-Present
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Chair
2016-2018
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Chair
2012-2014
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Secretary/Treasurer
2010-2012
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Chair
2008-2010
Canadian Bar Association Alberta, Research Law Section (South)
Secretary/Treasurer
2007-2008
Brosseau Estate v Dubarry Estate, 2022 ABQB 60
King County (a Washington Municipal Corporation) v Gelhaus, 2022 ABQB 2
- Letters of Request of Washington state court seeking evidence from Alberta residents.
Lafferty v Co-operators General Insurance Co, 2021 ABCA 359
- Successful defence of an appeal on insurer's limitations defence.
Keyland Development Corporation v Rocky View (Municipal District No 44), 2016 ABQB 735
- Successful summary judgment for municipality in action for negligent processing of development and subdivision applications.
Primewest Energy Inc v Texacana Turbines Inc, 2016 ABQB 715
- Successful response to applications for summary judgment and dismissal for delay.