George Derwin B.A., LL.B.

George Derwin assists clients in many areas including corporate and commercial law, real estate, wills, and estate planning.

George has substantial experience dealing with competency issues through powers of attorney or committee ship applications.

George has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Manitoba. He was called to the Bar in 1987.

George holds certificates in mediation & negotiation from Harvard Law School, Program on Negotiation.

George received his training in international commercial law at the College of Law of England and Wales.

George has appeared in all levels of court, including two appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada.

George served as trial counsel at the Headingley Riot mega-trial.

In 2007, George was appointed Deputy Public Trustee for the Province of Manitoba and was responsible for protecting the rights and liberties of all mentally incompetent and vulnerable adults (3300 people) in Manitoba. George managed $118,000,000 in trust assets with the assistance of a staff of 30 professionals.

George was retained by the Province of Manitoba to represent the interests of Phoenix Sinclair at the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry, which began in March 2011 and ended on April 23, 2013.

The inquiry resulted in 62 recommendations for improving the child welfare system including changes to the provincial school curricula and programs for supporting families on social assistance.

The Province of Manitoba implemented many of the suggested changes, and issued a formal apology,
stating that the child welfare system failed Phoenix Sinclair”.

George was retained by Manitoba Hydro to conduct major commercial transactions in 70 countries.

George provided legal advice regarding foreign legal systems, UN Conventions, International treaties, trade sanctions, construction, performance bonds, securities law, off-shore banking, telecommunications, labour and employment, workplace safety, insurance, liability,
regulatory compliance, environmental issues, software licensing, software acquisitions, intellectual property infringement, funding agreements, dispute resolution, foreign subsidiaries, corporate risk management (political, reputational and business risk), bribery and anti-corruption laws, international privacy law, extra-provincial registrations, US Federal Acquisition Rules, export restrictions, and competition law.

George established foreign legal entities, branch offices, and strategic alliances.

George instructed external counsel in Africa, Central America, Middle
East.

George served as a team member on the $10-billion Conawapa Hydro Electric Dam construction project (this project was put on hold).

George is a bar admission course instructor in the areas of legal writing, advocacy, litigation, and negotiation.

George is past-president of Community Legal Education Association; past chair of the Manitoba Bar Association ADR Section, and former executive member of the CBA National Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.