Tom Schmit, Partner

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and went on to become a commercial pilot and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. That background helped me to understand the importance of planning, troubleshooting, and problem solving, and to apply those skills to my legal practice where I have been retained to represent the aviation insurance market and many large insurers where I apply those skills to develop strategic plans that are practical and effective to successfully resolve the claims for our clients. Those clients in the aviation sector include insurers based in Canada, London and the US, as well as aviation operators on claims involving liability, damages, subrogation and regulatory matters. Having the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering background provides me with the knowledge to understand complex mechanical failures, and my pilot training and experience is of further benefit in handling pilot or operator error claims.

I am an active member of the law societies in the jurisdictions of Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories and British Columbia where I have appeared before courts at all levels in each of these jurisdictions. I have also appeared before the Transportation Safety Board, the WCB Appeals Board and in Coroners’ Inquests on multiple occasions.

Whether the claim involves aviation, farm operations, manufacturer defects, brain injuries motor vehicles, commercial liability, fire loss, professional liability, coverage issues or other complex claims, I believe that my experience and practical approach to providing legal advice and defence services to insurers best serves our clients needs