Overview

Mercedes Hitesman is the Edmonton Managing Partner, Co-Chair of the Edmonton Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and Co-Chair of the Edmonton Plaintiff Personal Injury group. Her practice focuses exclusively on personal injury law of a wide-ranging severity, from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries, such as brain damage, paraplegia, quadriplegia, spinal cord injury, orthopedic injury, chronic pain, amputation and permanent disability, as well as fatalities.

Mercedes has successfully represented a wide cross-section of clients who have been involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle / motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian / motor vehicle accidents, uninsured hit-and-runs, ATV / snowmobile accidents, construction / workplace accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and social host / bar incidents.

Mercedes works diligently in advocating for her clients to ensure they are treated fairly in terms of their injuries and losses, and to obtain the best settlements possible for them. Mercedes is especially accomplished at Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, giving her clients the opportunity to resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently outside of the courtroom.

Having spent the early part of her career defending personal injury claims on behalf of insurers, Mercedes brings a unique and invaluable perspective with how insurance companies operate, including how claims are handled internally. She has developed a strong relationship with the province’s insurers, which, in turn, helps her work cooperatively with them to achieve positive outcomes for her clients. She has also developed strong relationships within the healthcare and rehabilitation sector, which brings credibility to her settlement negotiations with insurers and opposing counsel.

Within the Firm, Mercedes is a mentor to Dentons’ junior lawyers. She is the Edmonton Lateral Hire Recruitment Partner and former Dentons’ Associate Liaison Partner responsible for the development of the Firm’s associates. She also serves as the Edmonton representative for Women LEAD, Dentons’ global women’s affinity group, which is focused on supporting and building the success of women in the Firm. To this role, Mercedes brings extensive leadership capabilities and a commitment to the advancement of women, both within the Firm and the legal community. She is also active in numerous women’s initiatives.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Securities
• Commercial Law
• Product Liability

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2005 (AB)