Cassandra Sutter

Cassandra has extensive experience in civil litigation across a broad range of practice areas and industries. Her practice areas include commercial disputes (domestic and international), contractual disputes, fraudulent conveyance & enforcement claims, property litigation, professional negligence, landlord-tenancy disputes, class actions, defamation and employment. Cassandra focuses on practical solutions to her clients’ needs and has considerable courtroom experience.

Cassandra has been involved in large-scale, complex commercial litigation and arbitrations. Such work has included an arbitral dispute wherein a $80-million arbitration award was granted in favour of the client, and an oil & gas arbitration involving complex issues of contract interpretation.  She was also part of team representing an international energy company in a dispute regarding a right of first refusal clause in a complex matrix of oil and gas agreements. This matter involved pursuing relief in respect of a billion-dollar oil sands transaction.

Cassandra has successfully represented individuals and corporations at all levels of Court in Alberta, including as lead counsel for trial at the Court of King’s Bench and the Alberta Court of Appeal. She has also successfully represented clients before administrative bodies, beginning from the initial complaint and investigation, through the tribunal appeals and ultimately judicial review.

Cassandra has been involved in a number of high-profile matters.  Most notably, she is currently co-counsel in a class action arising from the sexual exploitation and assault of numerous class members spanning over nearly 24 years. Other high profile matters have included successfully defending a claim against a client in a case which engaged allegations under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and a consideration of the existing governing legislation in Alberta.

Education 

Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Cassandra obtained her J.D. from the University of Calgary Law School - where she achieved Dean’s List standing. Prior to law school, Cassandra obtained her BA, with distinction, in philosophy and psychology from the University of Alberta and worked as a rail traffic controller.

Cassandra first joined JSS Barristers as a Summer Student in 2012, then continued with her articles upon graduation, and has developed a growing general practice in civil litigation.

Civil Litigation Career

Cassandra has extensive experience in civil litigation across a broad range of practice areas and industries, successfully representing clients at all levels of Court in Alberta. Cassandra’s Court room experience includes acting as lead counsel for trial at the Court of King’s Bench and the Court of Appeal. She has been involved in several injunctive matters, including successfully obtaining a freezing order/mareva injunction, a rare and extraordinary relief granted by the Court in emergency circumstances. Additionally, she has successfully represented clients before administrative bodies, beginning from the initial complaint and investigation, through the tribunal appeals and judicial review.  

Cassandra is pragmatic and focuses on practical solutions to her clients’ needs. She strives to tackle complex issues with efficiency and clarity. She prizes clear strategy, confident decision-making, and tactics that focus on the best possible return on investment for clients.

Experience as a Civil Litigation Lawyer

Given her work involving domestic and international commercial disputes, Cassandra has extensive experience in reviewing complex commercial agreements, therefore giving her the ability to identify relevant legal issues, conduct thorough research, and provide analysis on the interpretation and consideration of key provisions and applicable legal issues. This work has included a multi-million-dollar arbitration dispute concerning a Share Purchase Agreement and various claims alleging breach of representations and warranties.

With respect to her work involving International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitral proceedings, Cassandra has a background in drafting necessary pleadings, navigating the ICC Rules of Arbitration, and communicating with the Secretariat, Arbitral Panel and opposing counsel to ensure efficient procedures are implemented and the arbitration proceeds as effectively as possible.

Cassandra has been involved in several high-profile matters. One of the most notable ones being N.B v Phillip Heerema, Calgary Stampede Foundation et al., a class action matter arising from the sexual exploitation and assault of numerous class members spanning decades. The action addresses 3 decades of luring, grooming, sexual assaults and sexual abuse by a volunteer and employee of the defendants. The affected Class Members were students of and performers with The Young Canadians, a prestige performing arts facility operated by the Stampede Defendants. This case received extensive local and national press coverage.

Awards and Recognitions

Cassandra is recognized as a Future Star and 40 & Under Litigator by Benchmark Litigation, as One to Watch in Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers, and as Rising Star in Dispute Resolution (Alberta) by Legal 500. Prior to these achievements, she was also awarded the Above and Beyond Award by Pro Bono Law Alberta.

Personal

In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, the mountains and various outdoor activities and is an avid dog lover.

Publications

"Refusing to Return to Work? CERB Isn't the Answer"

JSS Barristers.ca, June 18, 2020

"Can an Originating Application be Amended?"
JSSBarristers.ca, May 27, 2020
Co-Author (with Laura Warner)

Speaking Engagements

Speaker
Legal Education Society of Alberta, "Effective Legal Support: Hot Topics in Civil Litigation" (2024) 

Speaker
Legal Education Society of Alberta, "Rules of Court 2020, Rules 4.31 (Dismissal for Long Delay) and 4.33 (Drop Dead)" (2020)

Speaker
Calgary Bar Association - Civil Litigation subsection, "Anton Pillar Orders" (2018)

Speaker
Calgary Bar Association - Young Lawyers subsection, "The Missing Class from Law School - Practical Tips for Young Lawyers in the Legal World" (2018)

Speaker
Calgary Women Studying Law Association, "Anecdotes & Advice, Gender Bias" (2018)

Speaker
Legal Education Society of Alberta, "Effective Legal Support: Civil Litigation, Costs and Tips for Case Management" (2017)