Fasken
Fasken’s practice is structured into two distinct groups dealing with transactional and regulatory insurance work, and insurance litigation, respectively. The firm is particularly well positioned in the former sphere, where Toronto-based financial services specialist Koker Christensen is highly regarded for his activity in M&A, reinsurance transactions and regulatory matters. Other recommended non-contentious insurance partners include Montreal-based Nicolas Faucher. On the contentious front, Michael Parrish is held up as ‘extremely detail-oriented and very tenacious’, while Jonathan Lim ’has a strong passion for insurance defence’ — both are in Vancouver. Kathleen Butterfield recently left to join Air Canada.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Michael Parrish is a no-nonsense litigator with an exceptional knowledge of the law and the nuances of the insurance industry — including both policy terms and claims procedures. it is rare to find a lawyer who is top-notch at the litigation part of the project and who understands policy mechanics.’
‘Michael Parrish is extremely detail-oriented and very tenacious.’
‘The team we work with specializes in, among other areas of the law, group STD/LTD litigation. They are a detail-oriented and strong insurance defence group.’
‘We work primarily with Jonathan Lim and his associate Gabriella Schauber. They have a strong passion for insurance defence. They are excellent researchers. I have every confidence in them representing our company.’
Key clients
- Aviva
- Green Shield Canada
- Manulife
- Foresters Financial
- Arthur J Gallagher & Co
- Allianz Global Assistance
- Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada
- Lloyd’s Underwriters
- Cam Chain Company
- FortisBC Energy
- Industrial Alliance Auto and Home Insurance
- Employers Insurance Company of Wausau
- Marsh Canada
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
- Rogers Insurance (now Acera Insurance Services)
Work highlights
- Advising Rogers Insurance, a national insurance brokerage, on its merger with fellow insurer CapriCMW to form Acera Insurance Services.
- Acting for most life and disability carriers in the country, including: Sun Life, Manulife, Empire Life, Equitable Life, Canada Life / Great-West Life / London Life and others.
- Advising Intact Insurance Company, Novex Insurance Company and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada on their defence of a series of proposed class actions and individual actions across the country relating to business interruption insurance arising out of Covid-19 closures.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Koker Christensen, Nicolas Faucher, Jonathan Lim