Blair Yorke-Slader Q.C., Vice-Chairman and Partner in Bennett Jones' Calgary office, has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

The induction ceremony at which Blair became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 800 people during the recent 2016 Annual Meeting of the College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Blair is also the only Alberta Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a leading practitioner in high-stakes corporate and commercial litigation with an active trial and appellate business and energy litigation practice, including contract, shareholder, partnership, securities, and trust disputes. He was awarded the 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.

Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. The College strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.

The College speaks with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Blair began practicing law in Alberta in 1983. He is an alumnus of the Faculty of Law at Queen's University (LLB, 1982).

About Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms and home to over 380 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices. With exceptional experience in complex cross-border and international transactions, the firm is well equipped to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures, and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world.

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