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E. William Olson, Q.C.

Bill was appointed Counsel to the firm January 1, 2011. His practice covers virtually all practice fields which involve general advice, advocacy and dispute resolution. He concentrates on Health Law, Governmental advice, Legislative Drafting, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Labour and Employment Law, Class Actions and Governance Issues. He acts as lead counsel and advisor to many clients and has appeared before all levels of Courts, Labour Boards and most Tribunals.

Education

University of Manitoba, LL.B., 1970 (Gold Medalist)
University of Manitoba, B. Arts, 1966

Call to the Bar

Manitoba, 1972

Representative Cases/Transactions

Lead counsel for Manitoba in:

Gendis v. AG Canada and Manitoba (Constitutional Law)

Bellan v. Curtis (Crocus) et al (Class Action)

Driskell v. Manitoba et al (Civil Claim for Wrongful Conviction)

Sophonow and Driskell Inquiries (Wrongful Convictions)

Lead counsel for Employer in Pension cases:

Dinney v. GWL ($30M)

TEAM v. MTS ($150M)

Bell Mobility v. MTS ($100M)

Lead counsel for Employer in Labour matters:

CEP v. CanWest Global (National Single Employer Application)

Dozens of Interest Arbitrations for the Province of Manitoba

5 Interest Arbitrations to set Physicians' Remuneration, for Manitoba Department of Health in the last 20 years

Lead counsel on Health Law issues:

Suspension and discipline of Vascular Surgeon before 2 Medical Hearing Tribunals on appeals

For Hospital in controversial End-of-Life decision before Manitoba Courts

Achievements

Named by Best Lawyers® as the 2011 Winnipeg Insurance Lawyer of the Year

Designated as one of Canada’s top 500 Lawyers by Lexpert Magazine each year since inception in 1999

Queen’s Counsel, 1983

Clerked in Supreme Court of Canada 1970 to 1971

President, Law Society of Manitoba 1985 to 1986

Bill has been selected by his peers to be included in the Best Lawyers in Canada 2009, 2010 and 2011 Edition’s in Alternate Dispute Resolution, Bet The Company Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Labour and Employment Law.

Publications and Presentations

Frequent Lecturer in Bar Admission course, Faculty of Law and Continuing Legal Education Seminars and Lecture Series

Professional Associations

Member of the Canadian Bar Association
Elected Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers
Past President, Manitoba Advocates’ Society

Community Involvement and Other Affiliations

Member of the Board of Directors for Manitoba Blue Cross, currently Vice-Chair and Chairman of Governance Committee

Former Director of Manitoba Law Foundation and St. Boniface School Division Foundation