Dan Downe
Dan Downe
KC
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Notable Work

Dan Downe’s primary area of practice is insurance litigation. He has more than 30 years experience defending insured businesses and individuals in a variety of complex litigation matters, including disputes involving motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury claims, commercial property damage and premises liability. Dan appears before all Alberta trial and appellate courts, arbitration panels and administrative tribunals, including coroner’s inquests and fatality inquiries. He has assisted clients with various forms of alternate dispute resolution, including private mediation, judicial mediation and arbitration.

Dan pursues subrogation claims and defends coverage actions on behalf of insurers. He also advises clients on errors and omissions policies, defends related claims, prepares coverage opinions and represents disability insurers in numerous capacities. Also, Dan regularly counsels self-insured professional organizations and defends claims of professional negligence. 

In 2010, Dan received his Queen's Counsel designation, which recognizes lawyers for exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession. He is also a regular speaker on insurance and risk management topics at client seminars and legal conferences.

Value to Clients

Dan uses a creative approach to dispute resolution that he tailors to his client’s goals and the unique circumstances of each case. While Dan excels in tough courtroom battles, he also focuses on helping clients take advantage of various forms of alternative dispute resolution to avoid the risk and expense of prolonged litigation and jury trials, including private mediation, judicial mediation and arbitration.

Outside the Office

Dan played high-level youth hockey and is still athletically active.

Law Society of Alberta
Calgary Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association Alberta
Member
Insurance Law
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada
2014 - 2025
Leading Practitioner: Personal Injury (Represents Defendants)
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2024
"Litigation Star"
Benchmark Canada
2018 - 2024
"Recommended" Litigation - Commercial Insurance
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2019 - 2022
"Repeatedly Recommended" Personal Injury - Represents Defendants
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
2012, 2015 - 2017, 2019 - 2023
Distinguished
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
2017, 2019 - 2021
Queen's Counsel
2010
Federated Press Insurance Law Journal
Board of Directors
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Alberta
Board of Directors
Possak School of Irish Dance
Board of Directors
Lafferty v Co-operators General Insurance Co, 2021 ABCA 359
Kent v. Martin, 2013 ABQB 36
Smed v. Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, 2011 ABQB 5
Jin v. Canada Everich Real Estate Group Inc., 2011 ABQB 524
Roadway Construction Ltd. v. ING Western Union Insurance Co., 2008 ABQB 367
Shaw v. Standard Life Assurance Co., [2005] A.J. No. 476, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Lam v. Bockman, 2006 ABQB 101
Shaw v. Standard Life Assurance Co., 2006 ABQB 156
Atlanta Industrial Sales Ltd. v. Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., 2006 ABQB 255
Baum v. Graham Construction & Engineering Inc., 2006 ABQB 460, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Kacperski v. Orozco, 2005 ABCA 179, Alberta Court of Appeal
Westside Land Corp. v. Deszynski, [2004] A.J. No. 256, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Laws v. Wright, [2000] A.J. No. 127, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Dyck v. Laidlaw, [2000] A.J. No. 730, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Falk v. Calgary Real Estate Board Co-operative Ltd.
Order 2000-024; Calgary  (City) (Re), [2000] A.I.P.C.D. No. 42, Alberta Information Privacy Commission
D. (G.J.), Re, 1999 CarswellAlta 1319, Alberta Surrogate Court
D. (G.J.) v. L. (R.), 1999 CarswellAlta 804, Alberta Court of Appeal
Silvaniuk v. Stevens, 1999 CarswellAlta 608, Alberta Court of Appeal
Franko v. Zurich Insurance Co., [1999] A.J. No. 173, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Carmac Management Ltd. v. Calgary Real Estate Board Co-operative Ltd., 1997 CarswellAlta 302, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Martin v. Dukart, [1997] A.J. No. 1209, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Phoenix Sportswear of Canada Ltd. v. Intergold Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd., [1995] A.J. No. 968, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Stuart Olson Construction Ltd. v. Allan Forrest Sales Ltd., 1994 CarswellAlta 449, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Milton-Coates v. Wolfe, 1992 CarswellAlta 518, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Adanac Realty Ltd. v. Humpty's Egg Place Ltd., 1991 CarswellAlta 30, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Ridders v. Mercury Tanklines Ltd., 1990 CarswellAlta 415, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
McDonald v. Royal Trust Corp. of Canada, 1987 CarswellAlta 277, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench
Bains v Adam, 2023 ABKB 491

Counsel for insurer in a motor vehicle action that resulted in a successful trial outcome where the Plaintiff’s injury claim was dismissed.

  • Secured a favourable settlement on behalf of a construction company by pursuing a delay and impact claim in a strategically fast-paced arbitration in which we alleged that the client’s inability to perform its work as originally bid was caused by failures and delays by other parties, and
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a pipeline project contractor that was forced to register builders’ liens against the owner despite clear evidence that the work was performed per the contract’s terms; judgment affirmed on appeal.
Education
University of Saskatchewan, 1984, Bachelor of Laws
Admissions
Alberta,1985