Planning and Organizing Your Case: Litigation Blueprint

The CBA is a professional organization that provides educational and networking opportunities for lawyers. Representing more than 36,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada, the CBA is committed to enhancing the professional and commercial interests of a diverse membership and to protecting the independence of the judiciary and the Bar.

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 damage. 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 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 Accolades Best Lawyers™ 2025 “Ones to Watch, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law”

Jennifer Biernaskie is a litigation strategist who finds solutions. She skillfully analyzes a claim from all sides, considering both the present details and what will happen down the road. The end result is a forward-thinking strategy that shapes a successful future for her clients. Her strong track record for resolving claims is based on skill, creative agreements and common sense in commercial litigation, insurance defence, and administrative law. With particular proficiency in high-complexity matters, Jennifer skillfully handles the in-depth research and investigations required for intricate claims involving areas such as oil and gas, engineering, and professional liability. In her commercial litigation practice, Jennifer has defended and prosecuted a wide range of contractual disputes, including shareholder issues, commercial and residential tenancy breaches, and employment and service agreements. She has unique experience in complex, multi-party litigation such as long-tail environmental losses, pipeline failures, intellectual property disputes, construction negligence, and class-action litigation. Her experience in insurance defence includes claims involving professional liability, sexual abuse, property loss and injury claims. With a big-picture view of cases and her clients in corporate litigation, she believes in looking beyond a situation to what else is going on to help solve the problem. Never one to follow a typical, cookie-cutter approach, Jennifer thinks broader about the context of the dispute and how best to approach it. It’s how she got her reputation as an outstanding strategist. With extensive experience in eastern and western Canada, she has represented clients in a wide range of industries and settings, from aquaculture and off-shore oil and gas in the Atlantic, to engineering firms and land-based oil and gas in the Prairies. In her insurance practice, Jennifer is equally skilled on both sides of the table and advises both insurers and policyholders on a variety of risk management issues. She has acted for insurers in Alberta and Nova Scotia as both defence and coverage counsel and provides coverage opinions to insurers in a wide range of sectors, including the aviation and auto industries. She has represented policyholders in pollution and contamination claims and regularly defends claims involving professional negligence, property losses, pollution claims, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and social/commercial host liability. Her considerable trial experience covers courts at all levels and various other boards and tribunals in both Alberta and Nova Scotia. In Alberta, Jennifer has appeared before the Alberta Court of Appeal, Alberta Court of King's Bench and Alberta’s Provincial Court. In Nova Scotia, she has appeared before the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Nova Scotia Labour Board, Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, the Nova Scotia Police Review Board, and the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. When practising in Nova Scotia, Jennifer was appointed as a member of the Regional Assessment Appeal Court.

Sana co-leads the firm's Intellectual Property group. In patent matters, she has experience with numerous industries, including pharmaceutical and biologics, information technology, telecommunications, gaming, oil and gas, and heavy industrial. In copyright, trademark, and trade secret matters, Sana has represented diverse clients including software companies, innovator and generic drug companies, and media companies. Sana has represented clients at all levels of the Ontario and Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and regularly provides strategic patent and regulatory advice. She has also acted pro hac vice in patent actions in the United States, and has extensive experience as part of international teams litigating large cross-border disputes. As Chair of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and co-founder of ReferToHer™, a groundbreaking program that helps keep women top of mind for referrals, Sana is a leading advocate for EDI at our firm and in the legal profession. She also plays a crucial role in shaping our firm’s future as Chair of our Innovation Hive™. Sana is frequently invited to speak on topics in intellectual property, advocacy and diversity in the profession. Sana sits as the IP Law representative of the Federal Courts Rules Committee and as a member of the Federal Court IP Users Committee. Sana holds numerous volunteer leadership positions including Director and Secretary of the Writer’s Trust of Canada, Past President of the University of Toronto Alumni Association, and is a Past Director of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) and co-Founder of its Women in IP Networking Group. Prior to entering private practice, Sana clerked for Justice Rosalie Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada. Sana is a registered patent agent and trademark agent. She is also fluent in French.

An experienced litigator, Karine is known for her strategic thinking and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution that emphasizes our clients’ business realities. Karine Joizil is a partner in Litigation Group in Montréal. Her practice focuses on civil, commercial and medical liability litigation. Karine has specialized, diversified experience in the areas of class actions, injunctions and contract disputes in health law and life sciences. She has advised and represented health professionals, clinics, and pharmaceutical, interprovincial rail transport, telecommunications and manufacturing companies in complex litigations and class actions. Karine's expertise also includes the protection of personal information and access to information. She thus represents clients in a variety of economic sectors before courts and administrative tribunals. Karine represents clients before the Access to Information Commission, the Federal Court and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, in cases related to the Quebec Access to Information Act, the Private Sector Privacy Act, Federal Access to Information Act and PIPEDA. Over the past few years, Karine has assisted a public body with the implementation of an electronic health record, and was legal counsel to several clients, in the context of service contract revisions with providers of telemedicine platforms, to bring it into compliance with data confidentiality requirements. She has also supported several local and international companies with the implementation of personal information protection policies, the drafting of consents and the conclusion of outsourcing agreements with suppliers. In addition, Karine has been a lecturer in public and administrative law for close to 15 years at the Montréal training centre of the École du Barreau du Québec and serves as a panelist for training held by the Advocates’ Society. She was a contributing author for McCarthy Tétrault’s chapter in the first edition of Artificial Intelligence, Law Over Borders Comparative Guide 2022. Since 2016, she has also chaired the board of directors of the government corporation Recyc-Québec. Karine holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Université de Montréal (1999) and, as part of her education, obtained an introduction to French law certificate with distinction. She also holds a specialized graduate diploma in public administration from École nationale d’administration publique (2011). In 2019, she earned a certificate in corporate governance from the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés at Université Laval. Karine was called to the Quebec Bar in 2001 and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association.

Melissa is a partner in the Winnipeg office of DD West LLP. Her practice includes litigation, corporate/commercial, municipal law, and child protection. Melissa began her legal career in criminal defence and was a Crown Attorney for over 12 years before transitioning to private practice. As a seasoned litigator, Melissa has represented both individuals and institutions in complex and high-stakes matters at the trial and appellate levels. Melissa has appeared as counsel in Manitoba, Ontario, and the Federal Court, and has significant experience with arbitrations, mediations, applications, and regulatory hearings. In addition to her practice, Melissa is a dedicated legal educator. She is a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law and has created and delivered lectures and workshops for a broad range of justice and government participants, including the Manitoba Prosecution Service, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Manitoba Corrections, Manitoba Health, Legal Aid Manitoba, the Winnipeg Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and various Child and Family Services agencies. Additionally, Melissa has instructed for the Senate of Canada Ethics Office, the Manitoba Bar admissions course, and the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. Melissa is deeply engaged in community initiatives. She has served on numerous committees and boards, including the Winnipeg Mental Health Court Joint Operations Committee, the Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court Operations Committee, the Downtown Safety Network, the Legal Help Centre, and the University of Manitoba Robson Hall Truth and Reconciliation Action Team. She has also been a board member for the Community Legal Education Association, Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, and the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund. Melissa’s extensive experience in litigation, legal education, and community advocacy underscore her dedication to justice, to her clients, and to the advancement of the legal profession.

An experienced litigator and distinguished legal professional, Rabjeet Singh Wallia (RJ) represents clients on commercial matters. He supports individuals and businesses, leveraging extensive legal knowledge to address his clients’ unique needs. In his legal practice, RJ seamlessly integrates his business acumen, legal prowess, and dedication to helping people. In his multifaceted career, he has served clients through in-house roles with major insurance companies, as well as private practice—putting his litigation skills to work for individual and corporate clients. With a profound understanding that every legal challenge is rooted in the human experience, RJ navigates legal complexities with a personalized touch. He ensures his clients’ objectives are not only met but also exceeded. RJ graduated in 2012 from Osgoode Hall Law School with a focus on Litigation and Dispute Resolution. A recipient of the Dean’s Gold Key Award, RJ commenced his legal journey by articling with a renowned litigation boutique in Toronto. He also contributed his expertise to the in-house legal team of Canada’s largest direct home and automotive insurer, before returning to B.C. in 2015. RJ is the Vice-Chair of the Capilano University Board of Governors. He is also heavily involved with the Canadian Bar Association as he is the Communications Officer for the CBA National Civil Litigation Committee, the Chair of the Civil Litigation Section (Vancouver), and sits on the Advisory Committee to Judicial Council. He also sits on the national committee for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives with Canadian Defence Lawyers, and is a member of the Vancouver Bar Association and South Asian Bar Association of BC.