Howard Reuben Smith

Howard graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto in 1992 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994. He articled at Dutton, Brock MacIntyre & Collier (now Dutton Brock, LLP) in Toronto and worked there as an associate lawyer until 1997.

Thereafter, Howard ventured out on his own as a freelance litigation and insurance lawyer, providing legal services to lawyers across Ontario. That role often entailed quarterbacking complex cases involving insurance coverage disputes, product liability, professional negligence (including medical malpractice), personal injuries, fatalities, and breaches of contract, among others.

In the early 2000s, Howard served as Casualty Legal Consultant to the Canadian arm of a global commercial insurer. In this capacity, his responsibilities included:

· all legal issues that arose in the casualty claims and underwriting departments, including coverage, claims management, and drafting policy wordings and endorsements;

· providing oversight with respect to complex commercial litigation across the US and Canada;

· serving in the capacity of trouble-shooter/fixer with respect to difficult claims and accounts, engaging directly in settlement negotiations and mediations;