80 | LEXPERT December 2014 | www.lexpert.ca
Partner in the Litigation Group based in the Edmonton offi ce. His practice is focused
on commercial litigation and professional malpractice claims, principally in the medical
and legal professions. He has appeared at all levels of the courts in Alberta and the Federal
Court, the TCC, the Supreme Court of Canada and before various administrative tribu-
nals. He regularly is asked to act as a mediator and an arbitrator in a wide range of disputes.
Has extensive involvement in legal education, is past Chair of the Board of Directors of the
Legal Education Society of Alberta and immediate past Chair and member of the Board
of Directors of Edmonton's pro bono legal clinic. Inducted as a Fellow of the American
College of Trial Lawyers (2008) and Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America (2010).
Admitted to the Alberta Bar 1979.
Vice Chairman of the fi rm and a partner in the Calgary offi ce. e only Alberta Fellow
of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. A leading practitioner in high-stakes cor-
porate and commercial litigation with a broad trial and appellate business and energy liti-
gation practice, including contract, shareholder, partnership, securities and trust disputes.
Broad arbitration experience as counsel and as an arbitrator. Former CBC Radio legal
commentator, and a speaker and author on appellate advocacy for the Legal Education
Society of Alberta. Consistently Recommended in Lexpert® Guide to Canada's Leading
Litigation Lawyers, Chambers Global: e World's Leading Lawyers for Business and Bench-
mark Canada: e Defi nitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attor-
neys. Recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the people and
province of Alberta.
James Heelan has experience in a broad range of litigation and regulatory matters. His
practice has a focus on corporate/commercial disputes; representation of fi nancial institu-
tions and investment advisors; employment matters; professional negligence matters with
a particular emphasis on representing physicians; and fraud matters. He has appeared be-
fore arbitration panels, public inquiries and regulatory bodies, including the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Securities Commissions, the Investment Industry
Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Mutual Funds Dealers Association of Canada
and the Alberta Human Rights Commission. As a former managing partner of the Ed-
monton offi ce of Bennett Jones, he brings management experience and a business perspec-
tive to client issues. He serves as a Governor of the University of Alberta, is a Director of
Covenant Health, and a Director of e Friends of the Jubilee Auditoria. He was ap-
pointed Queen's Counsel in 2005.
Senior partner in McKercher LLP Saskatoon offi ce practicing in civil litigation, class
actions and mass torts, and corporate and commercial litigation. Extensive experience in
complex commercial and contractual disputes, professional negligence, labor law, tax and
First Nations litigation. Appeared before many Arbitration Boards, the Court of Queen's
Bench of Saskatchewan, the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan, the Tax Court of Canada,
the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of
Canada. Also appeared in the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, the Alberta Court of Ap-
peal, and the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal. Acted before the Saskatoon Police
Commission, the Saskatchewan Police Commission, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations
Board, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Commission, the International Trade Tri-
bunal, and the Indian Claims Commission. Recognized by his peers in e Best Lawyers
in Canada for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, and
Labor & Employment Law. Called to the Bar 1977. Appointed QC 1987.
Donald R.
Cranston,
QC
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (780) 917-4267
Fax: (780) 421-7951
Edmonton
Blair C.
Yorke-
Slader, QC
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (403) 298-3291
Fax: (403) 265-7219
Calgary
James J.
Heelan, QC
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (780) 917-4275
Fax: (780) 421-7951
Edmonton
John R.
Beckman,
QC
McKercher LLP
Tel: (306) 664-1271
Fax: (306) 653-2669
Saskatoon
cranstond@bennettjones.com
yorkesladerb@ bennettjones.com
heelanj@bennettjones.com
j.beckman@mckercher.ca
CORPORATE COMMERCIAL
