Gowling WLG is pleased to welcome leading litigator Karen Pirie as a partner in its Calgary office and a member of its firm-wide Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Medical Defence & Health Law groups.
With over 25 years of advocacy experience, Pirie practises primarily in the area of professional negligence, providing litigation counsel to physicians, dentists and other health care practitioners. She has acted for clients before all levels of the Alberta and federal courts, as well as before regulatory tribunals, provincial licensing bodies, hospital boards and arbitration panels.
Pirie has been consistently recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for her top-tier medical negligence expertise.
“Karen is a senior litigator with an outstanding ability to represent and protect the interests of physicians and other medical practitioners,” said Peter Lukasiewicz, CEO of Gowling WLG Canada. “With her arrival at Gowling WLG, we’re expanding the depth of our medical defence team in Alberta ― and further enhancing the exceptional suite of advocacy services we provide to our clients across the country and around the world.”
Outside of her litigation practice, Pirie is a strong contributor to the Calgary community. She serves as a board member of a non-profit shelter, sits on the Major Gifts Council of the RESOLVE campaign and on the board of Hockey Calgary, and is a community mentor for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“Gowling WLG is one of the most respected litigation firms in Canada, with an unparalleled strength in the area of medical defence,” said Pirie. “Health care professionals trust the Gowling WLG team to protect their interests, resolve their disputes and obtain the best possible results — so that they can remain focused on their important work.”
A frequent instructor in advocacy skills and strategies, Pirie has delivered presentations, courses and workshops for a range of professional groups, including The Advocates’ Society and the Legal Education Society of Alberta.
At 50-members strong, the Gowling WLG Medical Defence & Health Law Group understands the unique needs of health care practitioners whose reputation and standing are at stake. From defending professionals in disputes arising from treatment to advising them on administrative and regulatory law issues, the team draws on its extensive litigation experience and in-depth medical knowledge to analyze potential risks and find effective solutions to clients’ complex challenges.