Mr. Richards is a partner and practices exclusively in the fields of advocacy and litigation. After articling with D'Arcy & Deacon, he received his call to the Bar in 1990, and has practised with the firm since that time.He is a past member of long-standing, and former Chairman, of the firm's Management Committee.He is a primary Relationship Partner for the firm's association with LAW, an international network of approximately 100 independent law firms located within commercial centers throughout the world.
Mr. Richards' practice has involved representation in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.It has included a broad range of cases involving insurance matters, surety and construction, products liability, employment and labour issues, administrative and regulatory matters, workplace safety and health concerns, agri-business, personal injury, professional negligence and discipline, intellectual property, defamation, creditors' rights, shareholders' disputes, contested estate matters and transportation issues. He has been counsel in all levels of Courts in the Province of Manitoba, and in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
In dealing with the balanced approach demanded by litigation, especially in the context of commercial disputes, Mr. Richards also has particular experience and expertise in judicially-assisted mediation and other ADR processes.
Mr. Richards has additional extensive experience before various administrative boards and tribunals and arbitration panels.For many years he has been counsel to Manitoba's primary insurance industry regulator, the Insurance Council of Manitoba.He has also been counsel in a wide range of other regulatory and disciplinary/governance contexts, involving securities, commodities, and a variety of licensed professions.
Mr. Richards' significant labour and employment practice has featured advocacy before the Manitoba Labour Board, the Canada Labour Relations Board, Adjudicators and Referees appointed pursuant to the Canada Labour Code and, of course, Panels and Single Arbitrators constituted within a collectively bargained grievance setting.
Mr. Richards has further developed unique expertise within Manitoba in matters of strategic counsel, particularly as those pertain to electoral law, campaign organization, public advocacy and general issue management.
Mr. Richards has been a lecturer, panelist and participant in a number of seminars and presentations relating to specific advocacy and litigation skills; and with respect to topical issues and general risk management in the insurance, construction, employment/labour and agri-business fields.
Mr. Richards is actively involved in the community and is a frequent media commentator on current affairs and matters of public interest.He enjoys membership in a number of associations, organizations and clubs; spanning business, political, charitable, sporting and recreational activities.
EDUCATION
University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts, 1986
University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Laws, 1989
Called to the Manitoba Bar, 1990
Professional Affiliations
Member, Manitoba Bar Association
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Past Chair, Manitoba Bar Association Civil Litigation Section
Past Chair, Manitoba Bar Association Construction Law Section
Former Instructor, Advocacy Course, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS
President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
Print This Bio