Steven D. Wallace

Direct Line: 604 891-0353
Fax: 604 689-3777

Email: swallace@dolden.com

Steven D. Wallace

Steve Wallace is the managing partner of the firm and has been practicing insurance defence litigation exclusively since 1990. Steve's practice focuses on fraud and arson, bodily injury and property damage claims, and coverage issues. Steve is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He also is a frequent speaker to insurers on a number of claims related issues and attends the Defence Research Institute seminars. Steve is a leader of the firm's Complex Injury Team. Steve has successfully conducted numerous Supreme Court jury and judge alone trials, judicial settlement conferences and appeals to the Court of Appeal, including:

· A jury trial defending an insurer on a fraudulent claim of break and enter;

· A head injury claim on the issue of an employer's vicarious liability for the intentional criminal act of an employee;

· A quadriplegic Plaintiff injured while diving;

· Several large fire losses, subrogated and denied for arson;

· An extensive stolen art claim, denied for fraud.

Steve has written and presented various papers on insurance issues including spoliation of evidence, reservation of rights and non-waiver agreements, broker liability and the duty to defend under Directors and Officers liability policies.

Fraud and Arson

Steve works with several insurers from the onset of the investigation of fraud and arson claims. He liaises with SIU representatives to assist in building a defence on suspicious claims. He has defended at trial and negotiated claims involving arson, robbery and break and enter.

Bodily Injury

Steve has defended to trial and negotiated hundreds and hundreds of bodily injury claims, involving motor vehicle accidents, occupiers' liability, products liability, assaults, social and commercial host liability and sports related injuries. He has been involved in as many mediations, and has completed training to work as a mediator. Steve has handled all types of personal injury claims, from head injuries to whiplash injuries. He has defended numerous department stores, restaurants, pubs and other commercial premises.

Highway Maintenance

Since 1990 Steve has been defending claims involving highway maintenance. He has acted for many of the contractors in BC and the Ministry of Highways. He has defended many claims and has litigated three at trial, winning all three.

Coverage

Steve has provided several different coverage opinions on a variety of claims. He has focused on intentional acts, mould, material misrepresentation, material change in the risk and jeweller's block.