Legal Assistant
- Sandi Chafe
- Phone:(709) 570-5545
- Fax:(709) 738-7999
- Email:
PRACTICE AREAS
BIO
Called to the bar in 2009 in Newfoundland and Alberta, Laura is a civil litigator who has extensive experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in matters dealing with negligence, motor vehicle liability and personal injury. Her combination of skills gives Laura the unique ability to analyze a problem from all sides and allows her to provide Cox & Palmer’s clients with sound advice to facilitate their desired resolution.
During her time in Calgary, Laura worked as in-house defense counsel for a national insurer and volunteered with the Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre, Calgary Legal Guidance, and the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association. Since returning to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2018, Laura has continued to work as defense counsel for several national insurers and volunteers as a board member for the Resource Centre for the Arts at LSPU Hall, for the Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador and for the St. Patrick’s Mercy Home Foundation.
As a mother to two small children, Laura is often found around town and various sporting events.
Experience
Civil
- Acted as Class Counsel at a Commission of Inquiry
- Conducted Examinations for Discovery for personal injury matters as both plaintiff counsel and defense counsel
- Conducted Examinations for Discovery for plaintiffs in employment matters
- Successfully argued applications at multiple levels of Court
- Drafted and Filed Statements of Claim, Statements of Defence, Orders and
Affidavits at several levels of Court - Mediated Small Claims disputes dealing with property and contract issues
Criminal
- As Defence Counsel ran trial for impaired driving charges
- Made successful applications and sentencing arguments
- Successfully contested crown applications
- Entered pleas for clients
- Attended Pre-Trial Conferences
- Drafted Charter Notices, written arguments and supporting affidavits for client defense
Research and Policy Development
- Created comparative reviews to facilitate development of municipal by-laws and regulations
- Aided in the drafting of municipal by-laws for garbage collection and recycling programs
- Drafted and presented a hospital policy regarding workers’ rights
BACKGROUND
Bar Admission
- Newfoundland and Labrador (2009)
- Alberta (2009)
Law School
- University of New Brunswick
Education
- University of New Brunswick (Juris Doctor, 2008)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Criminology Certificate from the Division of Lifelong Learning, 2005)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Diploma in Applied Ethics from the Department of Philosophy, 2004)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in English, 2004)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Completion of the English Cultural Landscape Program through the Departments of History and Geography)
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Laura has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Calgary Bar Association, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Alberta.
- Member, CLE Atlantic Subcommittee, Canadian Defense Lawyers (2021 – )
Community & Volunteer Activities
- Board Member, Resource Centre for the Arts (RCA) at LSPU Hall
- Board Member, Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador (VANL)
- HR Committee Member, Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador (VANL)
- Board Member, St. Patrick’s Mercy Home
Law Society Memberships
- Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador
- Law Society of Alberta
Languages
- English