 Bennett Jones Education University of British Columbia, LLB, 1996 Bar Admissions Alberta, 2018 Jim Schmidt is a senior commercial litigation counsel. Acting for clients in Alberta, Jim handles trial and appellate cases as well as matters involving mediation and arbitration. Overview Jim’s practice focuses significantly on civil fraud and asset recovery. He has successfully acted on claims arising from Ponzi schemes, as well as cases relating to internal theft, secret commissions or kickbacks, cheque-kiting, mortgage fraud and conspiracy. Related to his work in these areas, Jim provides advice and counsel to organizations dealing with the engagement, retention, investigation or dismissal of senior employees and consultants. Jim also acts for lenders, debtors and insolvency professionals in bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings. He is currently an inspector in a complex bankruptcy arising from the failure of a purported investment opportunity. Jim actively litigates commercial and negligence cases in a variety of contexts, including shareholder disputes, land use and real estate matters, commercial transportation, business advertising and white-collar criminal investigations. Jim has also been recognized as a prominent investigation practitioner by the Global Investigations Review Top 100. Experience • Successfully conducting appeals related to multi-jurisdictional conspiracy and compensation recovery litigation arising from expropriation and sale of luxury resort property in the Caribbean. • Representing bankruptcy trustee in successful prosecution of "claw back" action arising from $100-million Ponzi scheme. • Acting as lead counsel at successful trial of fraud claims against former senior executive of a mining contractor with offices in both British Columbia and Alberta. • Successfully defending claims alleging breaches of the Competition Act against national telecommunications company. • Representing noteholders in dispute concerning pension obligations of a large manufacturing company involved in proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. |