Lawyer Profile
Stuart J. Blake
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Overview
Stuart is the CEO & Managing Partner of Fillmore Riley LLP. Recognized as one of Canada's most accomplished insurance lawyers, Stuart draws on his 30 years of experience and his in-depth understanding of insurance law to deliver prompt, tailored advice.
Stuart represents Canadian-, American- and London-based insurers as defence, subrogation and coverage counsel. His practice encompasses commercial liability insurance, large loss construction claims, general insurance defence matters, aviation law, professional errors and omissions insurance, life and disability claims, product liability, fire claims and complex coverage disputes. He has appeared at all levels of Court in Manitoba and courts of other provinces. He also has extensive alternative dispute resolution experience.
Stuart is a member of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Board of Directors. He has served as president of the Winnipeg Humane Society, campaign chair of the Canadian Blood Services Cord Blood Campaign and a counsel member of the Manitoba Bar Association. His profound commitment to community service has been recognized by his receipt of the Manitoba Bar Association Community Service Award.
Stuart became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of North America’s premier legal industry associations, in 2021. He is also a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
### Recognition
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- Benchmark Litigation , Insurance — Litigation Star
- Best Lawyers in Canada , Insurance Law
- Best Lawyers in Canada , Lawyer of the Year — Insurance Law: 2018
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory , Litigation — Commercial Insurance
- Chambers Canada, Litigation: General Commercial (Manitoba) — Leading Practitioner
### Select Experience
- Defence counsel for building fabricator in $5-million claim involving City of Portage Rec Centre, City of Portage la Prairie, et al v. Towers Engineering Group Limited Partnership, et al v. Behlen Industries Inc.
- Coverage counsel in connection with a $8-million claim involving Armistice Way Retirement Residence, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Armistice Way 2 Facility Inc. v. Manshield (ALTA) Construction Inc., et al
- Defence counsel for Winnipeg Airports Authority in relation to liability claims
- Defence counsel handling claims for Saskatoon, Regina, Thunder Bay, Sioux St. Marie Airport
- Defence counsel for gun manufacturer in connection with product liability claim, Procter v. Savage Arms Inc., et al
- Defence counsel for M.D. Helicopters in connection with multiple claims arising from a double fatality accident. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Redekopp/Wilson v. M.D. Helicopters Inc., et al
- Defence counsel for Golder Associates in connection with $10-million claim involving the design and construction of CentrePort Canada Way transportation corridor, SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. v. Golder Associates Ltd.
- Defence counsel for heating and cooling company in relation to a claim for CO2 poisoning, Lac
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1989 (MB)