Bar Admissions
1994
Alberta
Education
1993
University of Calgary, Bachelor of Laws
1983 - 1987
Undergrad studies at the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan
Teaching Roles
Guest Lecturer – Corporate Governance
University of Calgary Third Year Law Program, Calgary, Alberta - 2013
Instructor - Advanced Advocacy
Annual CBA Alberta Branch Law Conference, Calgary, Alberta – 2012
Instructor – Oral Advocacy
Calgary Centre for Professional Legal Education, Bar Course - 2008
Instructor – Oral Advocacy
Calgary Legal Education Society, Bar Course – 2005
Guest Lecturer – Defamation Issues
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta – 2003
Instructor – Derivative and Oppression Remedies
BJU (internal professional development) - 2002
Mentorships
Robert has acted as Principal for four articling students who are current members of the Law Society of Alberta.
Community
Robert is also active outside of the practice of law and frequently volunteers his time within the legal community, having taught advocacy on behalf of the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education to articling students taking the Bar Course and judged numerous debates and moots at the U of C Law School. Robert also has a long history of involvement in politics, including serving on the Executive Committee of the PC Canada Fund prior to the Conservative Party merger, acting as the lead organizer on five Annual Calgary Leader's Dinners and serving on the Provincial PC Finance Committee. Robert also headed numerous Leadership Campaigns, including Chairing Alison Redford’s 2011 Provincial Leadership Campaign and the 2012 successful PC Provincial Election Campaign.
Awards & Recognition
- 2020: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2020: Chambers Global - Ranked Band 4
- 2020: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2019: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2019: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions, Corporate & Commercial
- 2019: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2018: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2018: Chambers Global - Ranked Band 4
- 2018: Chambers Global - Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution (Alberta)
- 2018: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions, Corporate & Commercial
- 2018: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2018: Best Lawyers Peer Review - Class Action Litigation, and Defamation & Media Law, Alberta
- 2017: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2017: Chambers Global - Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution (Alberta)
- 2017: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2017: Lexpert - Repeatedly Recommended
- 2017: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2016: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2016: Chambers Global - Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution (Alberta)
- 2016: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2016: Lexpert - Leading Cross-Border Litigation Lawyer
- 2016: Lexpert - Repeatedly Recommended
- 2016: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2015: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2015: Chambers Global - Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution (Alberta)
- 2015: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2015: Lexpert - Repeatedly Recommended
- 2015: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2014: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2014: Chambers Global - Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution
- 2014: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2014: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2013: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2013: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2013: Best Lawyers - Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Law, and Director & Officer Liability Practice
- 2012: Benchmark - Litigation Star
- 2012: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
- 2011: Lexpert - Leading Practitioner Litigation - Class Actions
Robert J. Hawkes is a third generation Calgarian. From 1983 through 1987 Robert studied Philosophy at the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan. In 1987 he went to work for the Government of Canada in a variety of capacities, including senior policy advisor and political advisor to the Minister of Finance.
In 1990 Robert returned to Calgary and entered law school at the University of Calgary, where he obtained his LL.B. in 1993.
Robert has been lead counsel in: complex class actions, corporate oppression actions, proxy fights, shareholder derivative actions and emergency injunction applications to freeze and discover assets and obtain investigation orders, asset tracing, fraudulent conveyances, and Bankruptcy Act orders which enable the victims of fraud to have their judgment survive the Defendant's bankruptcy.Robert is married, with two sons, and he enjoys spending time with his family and on politics, standup comedy, travel, soccer, poker, chess and hiking.
Robert blogs about life, law, politics and other topics at: https://calgaryrob.wordpress.com/author/calgaryrob/
Experience
At law school Robert excelled in the debating and moot court program, winning the Blackstone Team Debates as well as the medal for the best Individual Debater in both first and second year. In his third year of law school Robert was picked to join the U of C's Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team, eventually placing as the 4th best individual oralist at the National Competition in Toronto. That same year he won the Neil V. Germaine Scholarship for academic merit and leadership ability, and he and his teammate won the law school's Client Interviewing and Counseling competition ultimately representing the U of C internationally in Portland, OR.
After law school, Robert was invited to article with the Alberta Court of Appeal. During his Court articles, Robert learned firsthand how judges assess the cases that come before them, which has proved invaluable in his practice. Robert completed his articles with Bennett Jones, one of Canada's leading national law firms, where he also worked as an associate until 2002 at which time he became a Partner in Bennett Jones’ litigation group. While practicing at Bennett Jones, Robert obtained experience in virtually all areas of corporate/commercial litigation.
In 2005 Robert joined JSS Barristers where he has continued his high level practice in commercial litigation with a particular emphasis on securities related litigation, including broker litigation and discipline hearings, corporate restructuring disputes, shareholder oppression, derivative and class actions and on corporate fraud and recovery from employees, sub-contractors, partners and corporate officers.
Robert also has extensive experience in oil and gas litigation and arbitrations, construction litigation, contract breach cases, First Nations governance, pension litigation and defamation actions, and he has represented clients in professional disciplinary matters before the Alberta Securities Commission, APEGGA, CREB and the Professional Conduct Committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He acts for a range of clients, from large corporations, pension funds and public institutions to individuals, small businesses and partnerships.
Speaking Engagements
Co-Presenter
Managing and Resolving Class Actions, JSS Client Breakfast Seminar, Calgary, Alberta – 2016
Presenter
National class issues, Osgoode Professional Development, 8th National Symposium on Class Actions – 2011
Presenter
Pension Litigation, The Canadian Institute Pension Conference, Calgary, Alberta – 2006
Lunch Speaker
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, regional conference on Fraud and emergent remedies, Calgary, Alberta – 2005
Presenter
Fraud and Privacy issues, National KPMG Forensic Conference, Banff, Alberta – 2004
Presenter
Fraud and Small Business issues, Small Business Legal Issues Conference, Calgary, Alberta – 2004
Presenter
Directors’ and Officers' Liability, Independent Business Legal Issues Conference, Calgary, Alberta – 2002 & 2003
Presenter
No Fault Benefits, The Canadian Institute Personal Injury Conference, Calgary, Alberta - 2002