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Thriving in Changing Times will bring you up to speed with an overview of the most important insurance cases of the past year as well as a status update following the 2016 legislative changes to the auto insurance product and the advent of the LAT.
The second part of our program will look towards perhaps even more dramatic changes our industry will face as we prepare for the imminent arrival of driverless cars, the legalization of marijuana, and the shared economy.
Apart from the valuable insights of members of our firm, we have assembled a formidable group of guest experts which include:
Keynote Speaker:
George L. Cooke
Mr. George L. Cooke, LL.D. is President, Martello Associates Consulting. Mr. Cooke served as an Executive Vice President of E-L Financial Corporation Ltd., from 1992 to 2013. Mr. Cooke served as the Chief Executive Officer of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, a subsidiary of E L Financial Corporation Ltd. from 1992 to 2012. He served as the President of The Dominion Of Canada General Insurance Company from 1992 to 2012. Mr. Cooke served as Vice President of Ontario Division at S.A. Murray Consulting Inc. (a government relations consulting firm) from 1990 to 1992. He served as Special Advisor of Policy to the Ontario Deputy Premier and Treasurer from 1989 to 1990, General Manager of Ontario Automobile Insurance Board from 1988 to 1989. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of CANATICS (Canadian National Insurance Crime Services). He served as Chair of the Board at the OMERS Administration Corporation since October 1, 2013. He has been an Independent Director of Hydro One Inc. since January 26, 2010 and Hydro One Limited since August 31, 2015. He served as a Director of The Dominion Of Canada General Insurance Company and E-L Financial Corporation Ltd., from 1992 until 2013. He served as Director of Empire Life from 1992 to 2002. He served as Director of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited from 1995 to 1999. He served as Director of the Insurance Bureau of Canada from 1992 to 2013. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) in Political Studies (1975) and a Masters of Business Administration Degree (1977) from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. Mr. Cooke holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (1999) from Assumption University in Windsor.
Panelists:
Richard Shekter, Shekter Dychtenberg LLP
Richard Shekter is recognized as one of Ontario's leading litigators. He has been lead counsel on a number of precedent-setting cases and has made his mark in areas as diverse as personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, professional discipline, wrongful dismissal litigation and criminal law. Richard Shekter has been described by peers and clients alike as tough, brilliant, loyal, winning and compassionate. All the qualities one hopes to find in an advocate. In his full service practice, Richard focuses much of his time on the areas of criminal, civil, health, personal injury, corporate, medical malpractice, employment law and administrative litigation. He is general counsel to the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario and also appears regularly before other health colleges representing a variety of health care and other professionals including physicians, dentists, and nurses, amongst others. As skilled in the courtroom as he is behind the scenes, mastering complex issues and devising winning strategies, Richard Shekter has compiled an impressive track record of success and an ever growing reputation for excellence and scholarship in Canadian and U.S. legal circles.
Richard has won precedent-setting personal injury awards. In the process, Richard has helped to raise the bar for all future personal injury awards. His work in the precedent setting Roberts v Morana case changed not only the law concerning government liability for improper road maintenance, but also created innovative ways of enhancing recoveries for injured plaintiffs throughout Ontario. The Roberts verdict was, at the time, one of the largest personal injury awards ever recovered in Canada.
Jasmine Daya, Fireman Steinmetz Daya LLP
Jasmine is Managing Partner at Fireman Steinmetz Daya. She also heads the Accident Benefits department. Jasmine volunteers as Duty Counsel (civil litigation) at the Toronto courthouse for Pro Bono Law Ontario. She also guest lectures for the Insurance Law course at Queen’s University and has served as a mentor for the Toronto Lawyers Association. Jasmine has enjoyed being a speaker at conferences held by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, on Career Day at the Bishop Strachan School and at various events held by the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University.
Willie Handler, Author and Insurance Consultant
Willie operates a consulting practice following 33 years in various positions in the Ontario public service He is one of Ontario’s foremost experts on auto insurance having worked for 20 years on auto insurance regulatory policy for the Ontario government including four major reforms of the Ontario auto insurance system. Willie conducted a Five Year Review Report in 2009 on the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). His more recent consulting work includes support to the Minister of Finance’s Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force and the Ontario Auto Insurance Dispute Resolution System Review and a strategic plan for West Park Assessment Centre.
Charles Gluckstein, Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers
Charles is a Specialist in Civil Litigation which encompasses personal injury, motor vehicle claims, medical and professional negligence, as well as occupier's liability issues. Charles commands a thorough knowledge of all relevant automobile legislation, providing trusted experience for all aspects of dispute resolution. Charles is past president of OTLA and has been recognized by his peers as one of Canada's Best Lawyers. He is a consistently recommended personal injury expert in the Lexpert directory, and he was the recipient of the Lexpert Zenith Award in recognition for thought leadership and for setting new standards for the Personal Injury Bar.
Raed Kadri, Director of Automotive Technology and Mobility Innovation
Raed Kadri is a graduate of the University of Windsor, where he obtained a bachelor of applied science in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. He went on to obtain a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. After working as an engineer for a number of years, he joined AUTO21 Inc. as the Business Development Officer supporting the Connect Canada program.
