Sabri Shawa

Sabri M. Shawa stands at the forefront of JSS Barristers as a founding partner, his expertise sprawling across arbitration, mediation, negotiation, and litigation, marking over three decades of distinguished practice in Calgary. His journey has seen him appointed as an arbitrator in numerous instances, mediating hundreds of disputes, facilitating complex agreements as a negotiator, and offering his legal acumen in thousands of cases across courts, administrative boards, arbitrations, and mediations. His advisory role has significantly focused on helping clients sidestep litigation quandaries and manage potential disputes proactively.

Shawa's legal prowess extends beyond the courtroom to the academic arena, where he dedicated eight years to teaching Civil Procedure at the University of Calgary Law School. His voice has resonated at many conferences and seminars, where he has shared insights on a broad array of legal issues. The legal community recognized his contributions in 2012, honoring him with the Queen’s Counsel (now King's Counsel) designation. His excellence in arbitration was further acknowledged in 2014 when he became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

His name is synonymous with legal excellence in Canada, evidenced by his recognition in Best Lawyers in Canada and his selection as Calgary’s Lawyer of the Year in 2020 for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Shawa's influence and expertise are acknowledged widely, with Benchmark Canada listing him as a Litigation Star and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizing him as a leading practitioner.

Shawa's affiliations are vast, including memberships in the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society, and several other prestigious legal bodies. He has shaped his career at Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP since 1995, leading the firm as Chairman and Managing Partner at different intervals, and initially contributing at MacKimmie Matthews.

His arbitration and mediation endeavors are broad, covering construction and engineering projects, natural resource ventures, and various commercial agreements, among others. Shawa's expertise in drafting arbitration clauses and submission agreements complements his role as a mediator in complex disputes ranging from breach of contract to medical malpractice.

In litigation, Shawa has tackled cases involving construction projects, environmental issues, and professional negligence, leveraging his extensive experience to advise on regulatory proceedings and professional matters. His work extends to employment and business relationships, where he has provided invaluable guidance on employment agreements, executive compensation, and policy drafting.

Shawa's contributions to legal education and discourse are notable, authoring insightful publications and participating in numerous speaking engagements. His commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering understanding of legal processes underscores his dedication to the legal profession and his ongoing influence on the practice of law in Canada.