Established Expertise in Insurance Law

Heather Sanderson holds multiple degrees from McGill University:

• B.A. (Hon) (1978)
• LL.B. (1981)
• LL.M. (1989, University of Alberta)

She is a proud member of the Law Society of Alberta and was appointed King’s Counsel by the Attorney General of Alberta in 2024, recognizing her outstanding professional contributions and community standing.

Over her 40-year career, Heather has become one of Canada’s most well-known insurance lawyers. Her practice has consistently focused on liability defence and coverage advice for insurer clients across all Canadian jurisdictions. Heather possesses extensive trial and appellate experience, having appeared in all levels of Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Heather's master’s thesis, The Insuring Intent of the Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policy, became a standard reference within the industry and was included in required reading lists at several Canadian universities and community colleges upon its publication in 2020. She co-wrote Commercial General Liability Insurance, a text cited by courts across Canada. Furthermore, Heather has authored numerous authoritative articles, with one being heavily quoted by the Ontario Court of Appeal in a key 2024 insurance coverage decision.

A former lecturer on insurance law at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, Heather remains an active speaker and conference chair, both nationally and internationally. She has also served as an expert witness in several Canadian courts, demonstrating her expertise in insurance law.

Heather is the Immediate Past President of Canadian Defence Lawyers and a Senior Director of the Federation of Defence and Corporate Counsel. She is also one of three Canadian Fellows of the American College of Coverage Counsel. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the legal profession and Canadian jurisprudence, Heather received the Lee Samis Award of Excellence in 2012. Most recently, in 2024, she was honoured with the Fred H. Sievert Award from DRI, acknowledging her significant contributions to the organized defence bar.

At Sanderson Law, we prioritize collaboration and efficiency. With client approval, Heather selects a team from her professional network to address each matter, ensuring seamless communication through a common platform for sharing emails, documents, and work products. This approach guarantees that clients receive the specialized opinions they need while simplifying billing into one comprehensive invoice.