Queen’s Marque
600-1741 Lower Water Street
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 0J2
Michelle provides sound legal solutions and risk management to corporate commercial clients in a variety of industries including banking, energy, telecommunications and construction. 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:
- Co-counsel in 1 week trial at Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, successfully representing Canadian bank in getting judgment for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of the duty of good faith, breach of contract, etc.
- Co-counsel in 7 day out-of-province commercial arbitration, successfully defending Nova Scotia corporation against claims for breach of the duty of good faith, breach of contract, etc.
- Co-counsel in 3 week trial at Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, successfully defending insurer against claim for long term disability benefits.
- Assisting importers with appeals of Customs Act tariff classification before Canadian International Trade Tribunal, successfully defending multi-national corporations
- 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 on trademark and copyright litigation issues, including assistance with Federal Court litigation.
- Assistance with multimillion-dollar commercial litigation and arbitrations, in the areas of contractual disputes, energy and construction.
Education & Career
Education
Université de Moncton, Trial Advocacy Program, 2016
Dalhousie University, JD, 2012
Queen’s University, BAH Political Studies & History, 2009
Activities
Member, Stewart McKelvey Halifax Students Committee
Member, Stewart McKelvey Diversity & Inclusion Committee
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
Secretary, Executive, Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia, 2017 – 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
Presenter/volunteer, Canadian Bar Association, Law Day, 2013 – 2018
Member-at-Large, Canadian Bar Association, Women’s Lawyer Forum, 2018 – 2019
Member, Canadian Bar Association Equality Committee, 2014 – 2017
Member, Canadian Bar Association, Interim Governance & Equality Committee, 2017
Accolades
Best Lawyers™ 2025 “Ones to Watch”, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law
Thought Leadership
Supreme Court of Canada denies leave to appeal of Alberta ruling on post-death life insurance conversion (Part II)
August 15, 2024
Supreme Court of Canada denies leave to appeal of Alberta ruling on post-death life insurance conversion
August 13, 2024
Discovering a Denial: Recent Ontario decision sheds light on discoverability of claims against LTD insurers
June 03, 2022
Richards Estate sets the limits on actions against LTD insurers
February 27, 2020
Presentations
“Practical Concerns in the Wake of Thomson v ivari”, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2024 Legal Section Annual Meeting
September 13, 2024
Panelist, “How to Succeed in Real-Life Negotiation”, CBA National New Skilled Lawyer Series webinar
May 09, 2023
Panelist, “Faster, Cheaper, Better: Maximizing Efficiency with the Technology You Have”, Advocates’ Society Atlantic Symposium
August 29, 2022
Panelist, “Transforming Your Law Practice for Remote Advocacy and E-Litigation”, CBA National Skilled Lawyer Series webinar
February 10, 2021
Caselaw Update, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2019 Claims and Anti-Fraud Annual Conference
May 08, 2019
Legal Update, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2018 Claims and Anti-Fraud Annual Conference
May 09, 2018
Documentary Discovery Roundtable, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2017 Legal Section Annual Meeting
October 05, 2017
A Mari Usque Ad Mare – Update from Atlantic Canada (and beyond), Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2016 Legal Section Annual Meeting
September 22, 2016