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Joe Barnsley, K.C.

Partner

Joe is a seasoned business lawyer. He works with both the commercial and regulatory sides of transportation, buying, selling, leasing and financing aircraft and air carriers, railways and rail equipment and protecting document holders against regulatory action by government. Joe has been recognized by both Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert for his expertise and contributions.

Joe brings tremendous business and practical insight, as well as technical excellence to the table. As a trusted advisor, he works intimately with his clients, often being chosen to lead contract negotiations.

While Joe has handled deals of all types, he is especially knowledgeable with the Insurance, Aviation and rail industries, including their technology needs.

He led the $80 million Manitoba Blue Cross Claims Processing Solution Project and subsequent commercialization of the technology.

He deals with both commercial and regulatory sides of transportation, buying, selling, leasing and financing equipment and operating companies, and protecting individuals and companies against regulatory action by government.  He is the only counsel to obtain an order of costs against Transport Canada by the Transportation Appeal Tribunal.

Education

  • Admitted to the Manitoba Bar, 1973
  • LL.B., University of Manitoba, 1972
  • B.A., University of Manitoba, 1968
  • Presenter, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” a seminar on taking and perfecting security on transportation equipment, Manitoba Bar Association, April 6, 2023
  • Author, Pitblado COVID-19 Resource Centre, “COVID-19 and Transportation”, May 11, 2020
  • Co-Author (with Philip Sheps), “Buying or selling a brokerage business“, Manitoba Insurance Broker Magazine, Fall 2013
  • Author, “Meeting Client Risk”, Manitoba Insurance Broker Magazine, Spring 2016
  • Author, “The Too Accountable Executive”, CBA Air & Space Law Section, 2013
  • Various presentations – Manitoba Aviation Council AGM’s
  • Law Society of Manitoba
  • Canadian and Manitoba Bar Associations
  • Chair, Manitoba Bar Association Transportation and Air Law Section
  • Executive Member and Past National Chair, Canadian Bar Association Air & Space Law Section
  • American Bar Association Air & Space Law Forum and Business Law Section
  • Appointed as King’s Counsel, 2023
  • Chair, Manitoba Bar Association Transportation and Air Law Section
  • Executive Member and Past National Chair, Canadian Bar Association Air & Space Law Section
  • Listed by the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as one of Canada’s top Aviation Lawyers, 2016
  • Instrumental in Manitoba’s adoption of the Cape Town Convention
  • Numerous seminars, presentations, and papers on insurance and aviation issues
  • Honourary British Consul – Winnipeg 2006 – 2022
  • Past Chair, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, 2004 – 2005
  • Past Chair, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, 1998 – 1999
  • Founding Member, Manitoba Trade Corridor Partners Committee
  • Referee and masters competitor, Rowing Canada
  • Director and Counsel, Manitoba Aviation Council
  • Recipient, Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service and Platinum Jubilee Medal for
    Community Service
  • President, Winnipeg Rowing Club Building Company Limited
  • Founding Chair, Winnipeg Airport Authority Community Consultation Committee
  • Director and Pro Bono Counsel – Terra Bay – a Schroeder Foundation initiative supporting Inner-city schools in Winnipeg