Michael A. Dery
Partner

PRACTICE PROFILE

Michael Dery is a member of the firm’s Transportation Practice. His practice is predominantly litigation-based with a focus on aviation and transportation law. He has acted for aviation underwriters, insurers, airlines, flight schools, corporations and individuals in complex litigation and regulatory matters. Mr. Dery has provided counsel and advice to clients on litigation arising out of aircraft accidents and incidents, aviation related product liability litigation, airline claims handling, employment law matters and various other transportation-related issues. Mr. Dery has also represented and advised shipping lines, railways, freight forwarders, trucking companies and load brokers.

Mr. Dery has appeared for clients before all levels of court in British Columbia and in the Federal Court of Canada. He also conducts litigation in Ontario, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Mr. Dery has acted as counsel in numerous mediations and arbitrations and has extensive experience negotiating complex settlements in multi-party actions.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Acting as counsel in matters regarding aircraft hull, passenger, cargo, product and airport liability claims.
Acting as co-counsel in the defence of actions arising from a mid-air collision between two aircraft.
Acting as co-counsel in the defence of actions arising from float plane accidents.
Providing counsel and advice to insurers on coverage issues.
Acting as counsel for airlines in Workers’ Compensation Board claims.
Acting as counsel in the prosecution of actions arising out of train derailments.
Acting as counsel in the defence of cargo and shipping claims against national railways and shipping lines.
Acting as counsel in the defence of product liability claims against motor vehicle manufacturers.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCES

Mr. Dery has regularly assisted with the organization and conduct of external and internal continuing legal education seminars regarding insurance issues and the settlement of complex multi-party actions. Recent publications and conferences include:

Presenter, "Aviation Accident Emergency Response: Legal Regimes, Statutory Framework and Victim Compensation", Winter Aviation Conference, Toronto, Ontario, February 2009
Presenter, "Application of Criminal Law to Civil Aviation", Winter Aviation Conference, Toronto, Ontario, February 2008
Presenter, "The Power of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution - Fair Play Off The Field", 2007 BC Soccer Conference, Vancouver, BC, December 2007;
Presenter, "Outbreak: Air Carrier Liability for the Transmission of Infectious Diseases", Winter Aviation Conference, Toronto, Ontario, February 2007;
Presenter, “Implications of Lump Sum Settlements in Long Term Disability Cases”, Insight Conference in Litigating Disability and Insurance Claims, Vancouver, B.C, September 2005; and
Co-Author, “Tax Implications in Lump Sum Settlements in Long Term Disability Cases”, Insurance Law Journal, Federated Press. Vol. IX, No. 1, 2005, (also in The Lawyers Weekly. Vol. 25, No.6.).

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

British Columbia Aviation Council, Director
British Columbia Institute of Technology, School of Transportation - Aviation/Airport Law, Instructor
Vancouver Bar Association, elected Executive (2007-2009)
Canadian Bar Association, Air Law, Insurance and Civil Litigation Subsections, Member
Aviation Insurance Association, Member
American Bar Association, Forum on Air and Space Law, Member
Air Transport Association of Canada, Member
Queen’s Law Articling Mentorship and Practice Interview Program, Volunteer
British Columbia Professional Legal Training Course - Mock Civil Trial Program, Volunteer Judge

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

Fluent in French

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Michael is an avid skier and dabbled in competitive mogul skiing before going to law school. He still tries to get up to Whistler as often as possible and also enjoys running, basketball, boxing, sailing, wakeboarding, traveling and mountain biking.