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Michelle Chai

Partner

Langues parlées: Anglais

Admission au Barreau: Nova Scotia, 2013

Michelle provides sound legal solutions and risk management to corporate commercial clients in a variety of industries including banking, energy, telecommunications, customs (imports) and procurement. She also works with insurers in such areas as disability insurance, personal injury and property insurance. Michelle has represented clients in commercial arbitrations, Nova Scotia Supreme, Small Claims and Federal Court matters, as well as appeals before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, Federal Court of Appeal, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.

Some of the ways Michelle helps her clients include:

  • Advice and counsel to multi-national corporations in customs (imports) and procurement matters, including appeals to Canada Border Service Agency, Canadian International Trade Tribunal, and Federal Court of Appeal, including appeals of Customs Act tariff classifications.
  • Defence of professional malpractice, disability insurance, personal injury and property damage claims for national and international insurers, as well as self-insured corporations (incl. banks and transportation companies).
  • Advice and co-counsel on commercial litigation and arbitration matters (domestic and international), in the areas of contractual disputes, energy (onshore wind power and offshore natural gas), construction, trademark and copyright, including retainer of experts and presentation of evidence with respect to design, scheduling, and business losses, and enforcement of judgments.

Études et carrière

Études

Université de Moncton, Trial Advocacy Program, 2016
Dalhousie University, JD, 2012
Queen’s University, BAH Political Studies & History, 2009

Activités

Member, Stewart McKelvey Halifax Students Committee
Member, Stewart McKelvey Diversity & Inclusion Committee, 2024 – 2025
Member, Board of Directors, Lawyers Insurance Association of Nova Scotia, 2021 – present
Co-Chair, Gender Equity Committee, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, 2022 – present
Member, Gender Equity Committee, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, 2019 – present
Instructor, Civil Trial Practice, Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, Winter 2020 – Winter 2021
Member, Board of Directors, Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia, 2014 – 2021
Member, The Advocates Society, 2024 – present
Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, 2013 – present
Member, Board of Directors, Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners, 2017 – 2020
Member, Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners, 2011 – present
Member, Canadian Bar Association, 2012 – present
Member-at-Large, Canadian Bar Association, Women’s Lawyer Forum, 2018 – 2019
Member, Canadian Bar Association Equality Committee, 2014 – 2017

Distinctions

Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2025 – 2026
Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”, Insurance Law, 2025 – 2026

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