Ed is a founding partner of Peacock Linder Halt & Mack LLP and is a seasoned litigation/dispute resolution professional with over 30 years of experience.

Ed graduated as the gold medalist from the University of Saskatchewan Law School in 1986.  Following the completion of his articles of clerkship with the Saskatchewan Department of Justice and a year of private practice in Regina, Ed had the honour of serving as a law clerk to Madam Justice Bertha Wilson of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Ed relocated to Calgary in 1989 and has since practised civil litigation, with an emphasis on professional liability representation, directors’ and officers’ representation, corporate commercial litigation, securities litigation and franchise litigation.  He also has regularly practiced in the areas of insurance law, insolvency, construction and product liability litigation. He has appeared before all levels of courts in both Alberta and Saskatchewan and before numerous regulatory and administrative tribunals.  He has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and fact finding, both as advocate and as a neutral dispute resolution professional.  Ed has also served as Independent Supervising Solicitor in connection with the enforcement of Anton Pillar Orders.

Ed generally promotes practical, problem-solving approaches to achieving client objectives, both within and outside the formal litigation process and is often selected as counsel in matters involving sensitive professional, reputational or business issues.

EDUCATION

• LL.B. (with great distinction), 1986, University of Saskatchewan
• B.A. Honours (with High Honours), 1983, University of Saskatchewan

RECOGNITIONS AND RANKINGS

• Since 2008, selected by peers for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in Canada” in the areas of professional liability, directors’ and officers’ liability and corporate commercial litigation
  • 2015, 2018 and 2021 Lawyer of the Year in Calgary Malpractice Law
  • 2016 Lawyer of the Year in Calgary Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Practice
  • 2020 Lawyer of the Year in Calgary Appellate Practice
• Lexpert ranked as “repeatedly recommended” in the areas of Commercial Insurance and Corporate Commercial Litigation
• Benchmark Canada ranking as a “local litigation star” in Calgary
• Chambers Global band 4 ranking in the area of dispute resolution
• Martindale Hubbell – Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
• Law Society of Saskatchewan Gold Medallist, 1986
• Thomas Dowrick Brown Award, 1986 (to the most distinguished graduate)

MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES

• Member Supreme Court of Canada Institute for Advocacy
• Former President and Board Member – Canadian Diabetes Association, Calgary Branch
• Instructor – Civil Litigation, 1997, 1998, 2001 Alberta Bar Admission Course
• Panel Member – Alberta Midwinter Meeting Barrister’s Quickies
• Panel Member – Legal Education Society of Alberta Seminar, Personal Injury Primer
• Contributor – Legal Education Society of Alberta Review of Implementation of new Rules of Court of Alberta

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Representation of pulp and paper manufacturer in dispute with energy counterparty concerning interpretation of Cogeneration Agreement
• Representation of party in a limited partnership/joint venture dispute involving Calgary real estate development
• Regular representation of lawyers from numerous Canadian jurisdictions in connection malpractice claims
• Representation of provincial law society in respect of civil actions
• Counsel to court appointed claims officer in respect of Canadian Airlines restructuring and plan of arrangement
• Representation of various executives and professionals involved in investigations or proceedings before Alberta Securities Commission and other regulatory and administrative tribunals
• Representation of executives, directors and shareholders in shareholder disputes, oppression actions and actions alleging breaches of fiduciary duties
• Representation of food manufacturer and processor with respect to claim against provincial government and local municipality arising from contamination of water supply
• Representation of technology company in claim relating to design, construction and delivery of ice mapping technology for Canadian waters
• Representation of interested parties in connection with various CCAA and receivership matters involving property and assets of oil & gas companies
• Representation of owners, professionals and contractors in a variety of construction disputes including a dispute relating to design and construction of cogeneration facility
• Representation of Franchisors or Franchisees in connection with franchise disputes and applications for injunctive relief