published 07/28/2021
A. Blair Graham has retired from Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP as of June 30th, 2021, after having practised law for 43 years. Blair was called to the bar in Manitoba in 1978 and join the firm as partner in 1987 through a merger with Dooley Olson & Wiens.
Blair’s practice for many years was focused on general civil litigation and more recently he served extensively as a labour arbitrator and as an arbitrator and mediator in commercial and other types of disputes. Blair also had a significant administrative law component to his practice, acting for several professional colleges in relation to conduct investigations and proceedings. Blair has served many official roles at TDS and has been a leader at the firm for decades, being frequently sought out by lawyers as a mentor. His advice has always been thoughtful, insightful, and practical and it is plain to see why he is considered such a successful and respected counsel.
Blair has been selected on several occasions by his peers to be included in Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has been a Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in Manitoba in 1992. Blair has also been Vice-Chair of the Manitoba Labour Board since 2006.
Blair has frequently shared his knowledge of the law as a guest lecturer on evidentiary issues at the Robson Hall Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. He’s also a faculty member of the Intensive Advocacy Program sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Law Society of Manitoba.
Blair enjoys being active in his community, volunteering for the United Way of Winnipeg for many years. He’s proud to have chaired the advisory committee of the Canadian Red Cross Society’s response to the 1997 Red River Flood which oversaw the distribution of over twenty-two million dollars to individuals and organizations impacted by the flood. Blair also served for many years on the national board of the Canadian Red Cross Society.
While Blair's skills as a lawyer and leader of the firm will be missed, we are happy he intends to continue his thriving practice as a labour and commercial mediator and arbitrator from his home. His good-natured disposition and concern for others will be sorely missed. We wish him all the best.
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