Michael J Hewitt B.COMM., LL.B.

Professional Background

Michael Hewitt has been a litigator his entire legal career, focusing on complex commercial and insurance lawsuits. He has practised with Singleton Urquhart since 1993, and joined its partnership in 1999. During 1988-1993, he was mentored under leading members of the profession at the Federal Department of Justice in Vancouver and law firms in Ontario and England.

In his law practice, Mr. Hewitt represents corporate and individual clients in cases involving professional liability, insurance, fraud, securities, contract and other business disputes. In doing so, he draws on experience in a broad range of previous civil, criminal , administrative and constitutional law cases, including a great deal of trial work.

He regularly appears as counsel in all levels of the British Columbia courts, as well as regulatory tribunals, arbitrations and mediations. His record includes a long list of successful results in both judge and jury trials, tribunal rulings, and appeals, as well as negotiated settlements of many complex cases.

Mr. Hewitt has dedicated considerable time to professional development and training for the accounting profession, the insurance industry, investigators, and the legal profession. He regularly speaks to such groups about legal issues affecting their areas of expertise, and provides legal and strategic advice on an ongoing basis.

Out of court, Mr. Hewitt leads a team of thoughtful and dedicated lawyers, paralegals and staff who focus on practical results and client service.

Education And Appointments

• Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Queen’s University, 1988.
• Bachelor of Laws, University of Victoria, 1991.
• Ontario Court of Appeal, Law Clerk, 1991-2.
• Called to the British Columbia Bar: 1993

Recent Judgments

• 2011 BCCA 51
  Appeal decision resulting in new trial on civil conspiracy and conversion claims
• (26 November, 2010), Vancouver S107260 (B.C.S.C.)
  Injunction freezing mining assets and shares.
• 2010 BCSC 338; 2011 BCSC 1106
  Two judgments for conversion and conspiracy against many defendants in stolen vehicle scheme, with punitive damage awards.
• 2007 BCSECCOM 645 (findings); 2007 BCSECCOM 773 (decision)
  Defence of charges before the B.C. Securities Commission.
• (25 February, 2009), Vancouver S084256 (B.C.S.C.)
  Jurisdictional determination in investors' claim of fraud and solicitors' negligence
• 2008 BCSC 328
  Action alleging accountant's negligence regarding valuation and litigation settlement dismissed.
• ICBC v. Faris et al. (2006)
  $3.5 million jury award of punitive damages in staged accident case.  (Because this was a jury award, there are no written reasons available.)
  

Other Judgments

• Professional Liability 
• Business Litigation 
• Insurance Fraud 
• Insurance Coverage
• Regulatory 
• Criminal/ Constitutional
• Fraud

Articles And Seminars

• Author of many published articles on professional liability, fraud litigation and other legal issues.
• Regular speaker at legal, insurance industry and accounting professional seminars.
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C., risk management for accountants
• Certified Fraud Examiners:  Claims in Fraud
• Moot Court and Advocacy Instructor, Law Society of British Columbia
• Advocacy Instructor, University of British Columbia
• Author, Legal Training Manual for Private Investigators' Association of British Columbia
• Canadian Defence Lawyers:  Defence of Fraudulent Claims

Associations

• Law Society of British Columbia
• Canadian Bar Association
• Certified Fraud Examiners
• Private Investigators of B.C.
• Active community volunteer and board member.