Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Partner

Patrick is a partner in BLG's Disputes Group. He has been practising law for over 20 years, primarily in the area of complex insurance defence. He is also an adjudicator with the Law Society of Alberta’s Practice Review Committee.

Patrick's practice spans a broad range of insurance areas with his primary focus on defending professionals. These include claims advanced against architects, engineers (in disciplines including structural, mechanical, geotechnical and water resources), project consultants and locating/surveying professionals. Patrick has also acted for owners, general contractors and subcontractors in uninsured construction disputes. In addition to construction related matters, Patrick has successfully defended manufacturers and distributors respecting product liability claims, insurers, insurance brokers, MGAs, real estate agents as well as commercial hosts for many years. He acts for insurers respecting subrogated claims, as well as for a variety of parties in shareholder disputes, estate litigation and intellectual property matters.

In addition to litigation, he has provided coverage opinions for several insurers on a variety of policies, including CGL, D&O and EPL, has assisted insurers with the development of their Canadian policy wordings and has worked with the Government of Alberta to draft legislation and regulations.  Patrick is also an integral part of the BLG Health Law Group. His extensive experience in professional negligence defence, in addition to his past role as Manager of Specialized Litigation, makes him a key player in this important client sector.

Prior to joining BLG in 2007, Patrick developed his litigation skills acting against personal injury claimants. This time, combined with his practice with BLG, has seen Patrick successfully defend clients in numerous trials, arbitrations and mediations. He has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and has also conducted matters in the Courts of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Federal Court of Canada.

Professional Involvement

• Member, CBA – Law Matters Editorial Committee
• Adjudicator, Law Society of Alberta Practice Review Committee
• Board of Directors, Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch, 2019-2023
• Instructor in the University of Calgary on trial advocacy since 2017
• Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers
• Member, ADR Institute of Alberta
• Former Chair and ongoing Member at Large, Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Insurance Subsection (South Alberta)
• Member, CBA Construction, Insurance and Alternative Dispute Resolution Subsections
• Member, Law Society of Alberta
• Member, Calgary Bar Association
• Member, The Advocates’ Society

Education

• LLB, University of Alberta, 2000
• MA, University of Guelph, 1997
• BA, University of Calgary, 1995

Bar Admission

• Manitoba, 2023
• Alberta, 2001

Community Involvement

• Board Member, Calgary Legal Guidance
• Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division
• Volunteer, ESL Instructor with the Calgary Immigrant Education Society
• Volunteer, Law Society of Alberta Mentor Connect Program