Overview
Sandra Hawes is a civil litigation lawyer and one of Miller Thomson’s leading insurance and commercial litigation specialists. She is the Managing Partner, Western Canada and a member of the National Executive Committee, and was previously Managing Partner of the Edmonton office. Sandra’s practice is focused primarily on insurance defence litigation including defence of life, disability, and critical illness insurance claims; professional errors and omissions claims in a construction context; commercial insurance claims; and insurance coverage issues. Sandra also acts for her clients in contested commercial and estate matters.
Sandra has represented clients in a variety of litigation disputes appearing at all levels of court in Alberta. She also has experience in resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms including arbitrations, mediations, and judicial dispute resolutions.
Sandra has continued her legal education through the completion of the Intensive Trial Advocacy Course and received leadership training through the Queen’s School of Business. Sandra has also been involved in delivering legal education as a volunteer instructor and evaluator of principal negotiations for the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education and as an instructor for the Insurance Institute of Canada teaching “Insuring Against Liability.” Sandra is also a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law teaching professional responsibility.
Professional achievements & leadership
- Finalist, Women in Law Leadership Award, 2021
- King’s Counsel (appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2020)
- Best Lawyers in Canada, Insurance Law, 2017 - 2025; Corporate and Commercial Litigation, 2021 - 2025
Thought leadership
- Speaker, “Judicial and Regulatory Decisions Across Canada,” Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, October 2021
- Co-author, "Insurance Policy Rescission Compendium," DRI Insurance Publication, 2019
- Co-author, “Rules of Lapse or Alternate Recipients in the Event of Failed Testamentary Gifts: A Review of Sections 32 and 33 of the Alberta Wills and Succession Act, January 2019
- Speaker, “Lapse and Anti-Lapse under the Wills and Succession Act," Legal Education Society of Alberta, January 2019
- Speaker, "Judicial and Regulatory Decisions Across Canada," Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, October 2018
- Author, "The Artificial Intelligence Revolution and Reshaping of the Insurance Industry," The Lawyers Daily, August 22, 2018
- Author, "AI Revolution and the Insurance Industry," Miller Thomson Insurance Law Blog, July 2018
- Author, "Lack of Consent = No SEF 44 Coverage," Miller Thomson Insurance Law Blog, March 2018
- Author, “Will Ontarians be Permitted to Traffic in Life Policies - Bill 162, Insurance Amendment Act (Life Settlements), 2017," Miller Thomson Insurance Law Blog, December 2017
- Speaker, "The Business of Running a Law Practice", Legal Education Society of Alberta, October 2017
- Author, “Mental Injury and Negligence Law – Recognized Psychiatric Illness Not Required,” Miller Thomson Insurance Law Blog, August 2017
- Author, “Litigation in the “New” Alberta – Plunging Oil Prices and More Robust Environmental Regulation Has Created the “Perfect Storm” for Increased Risk and Disputes," February 2016
- Author, “The “Beast”, Its Cost to the Insurance Industry and the Need for Greater Risk Management,” Lloyd's Brief: Canadian Legal Perspectives, July 2016
- Speaker, “Managing Risk in Construction,” Miller Thomson seminar Edmonton, June 2016
- Speaker, “Managing Risk in Construction,” Miller Thomson seminar Calgary, June 2016
- Speaker, “Privilege Over Adjusters Documents & Files,” Miller Thomson Insurance Seminar Series Calgary, June 2014
- Speaker, “Privilege Over Adjusters Documents & Files,” Miller Thomson Insurance Seminar Series Edmonton, June 2014
- Chair, “Advanced Advocacy Panel,” Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Law Conference, February 2013
- Speaker, “Institutional Responsibility for Preventing Sexual Abuse,” Marsh Insurance Canada, October 2012
- Negotiation Instructor and Evaluator, Bar Admission Course/CPLEDs, Legal Education Society of Alberta, 2005 – Present
- Faculty, “The New Rules of Court: A Seamless Transition,” Legal Education Society of Alberta, September 2010
- Speaker, “Judicial and Regulatory Decisions Across Canada,” Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, September 2010
- Co-author, “Privilege Over Adjusters’ Files and Surveillance,” Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
- Author, “Missed Life Premium Payment – No Relief from Forfeiture,” Canadian Journal of Insurance Law, Vol. 28, No. 4, 2010
Community involvement
- Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation - Board of Directors, 2019 - Present
- United on Whyte United Church - Chair of Trustees, 2018
- Board Member, Salvation Army Advisory Board, 2015 - Present
- Sessional Instructor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law teaching Professional Responsibility, 2013 – Present
- Fundraising Committee Member, St. Stephen’s College, 2015
- Fundraising Committee Member, A “Pursenal” Mission, STARS Foundation, 2012
- Board Member, Knox-Metropolitan United Church, 2005 – 2017
Professional memberships
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, Insurance and Civil Litigation Sections
- Member, Law Society of Alberta
- Member, Edmonton Bar Association
- Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers
- Member, DRI
- Member, IADC International Association of Defense Counsel
- Member, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association
Bar admissions & education
- Alberta, 1997
- LL.B., University of Alberta, 1996
- Faculty of Arts, Department of English, University of Alberta, 1993
- B.Sc., Biological Sciences / Chemistry, University of Alberta, 1991
