Chris Goddard
Meet Chris Goddard
Chris has been a dedicated litigator for 23 years. Over his career, he’s handled all aspects of a wide variety of files, including personal injury, professional malpractice, employment, estates, and corporate-commercial matters. He started out as a litigation associate with Miller Thomson LLP, and then became in-house counsel at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, now Desjardins Insurance. In this capacity he defended claims arising from motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, dog attacks, product liability, and property damage. In pursuing a philosophy of “settlement if possible, but trial if necessary,” Chris has acted as defence counsel in jury trials. He’s also argued summary judgment and other complex motions.
Early Years
He obtained a National Institute for Trial Advocacy Diploma in 2005, was a member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Executive Committee, Insurance Section from 2007 to 2011, and editor of its insurance law newsletter from 2009 to 2011. Before coming to Miskin Law Professional Corporation he was managing lawyer at Desjardins, overseeing a 17-lawyer litigation team handling tort, Accident Benefits, fraud and subrogation files, as well as coverage opinions. Before becoming a lawyer, Chris was a health care journalist, writing feature and news articles for The Medical Post, Ontario Medicine, Canadian Medical Association Journal and other publications. A graduate of Queen’s University Law School, he also has a master’s degree from University of Toronto.