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Legal Team

Courtney has over a decade of legal experience and is a member of both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Bars. Since joining Ritch Williams & Richards in 2016, she has focused exclusively on insurance litigation matters throughout Atlantic Canada. She became a Partner of the firm in 2021. Courtney advises and represents insurers in personal injury, and property damage claims across Atlantic Canada. She is dedicated to providing effective legal strategies and achieving efficient resolutions for her clients.

Courtney Palmer

Partner

Murray has been a pillar in the legal community, representing national and international insurers before all levels of Court in Atlantic Canada. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being appointed King's Counsel in 1995 and recognized among the Best Lawyers in Canada for 18 consecutive years. In 2017, Murray was honored as one of Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers by Lexpert, and in 2019, he was named Best Lawyers® Canada Insurance Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Halifax.

Murray J. Ritch, K.C.

Founder (Retired 2024)

John has focused on insurance defence since joining the firm in 1997. He also works in general litigation and marine law. John can be involved in any stage of a file, from the pleadings on through coverage, liability and damage assessment, disclosure and discoveries, mediation and settlement, and trial and appeal. On the practical side, John's responsibilities include database management, client contact and site visits, witness interviews and undertakings. Over the years he has developed and maintained a number of reference materials for the firm's lawyers and clients. Special areas of interest include coverage and duty to defend, tort liability and damages quantification.

John Hedley

Legal Analyst

Katherine graduated in 2023 with a joint Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctor from Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 2024 after completing her articles with our firm. She is now an associate with our firm, focusing on expanding her practice in insurance defence and subrogation throughout Atlantic Canada.

Katherine Stevenson

Associate Lawyer

Ryan first joined the firm as a summer student in 2024 and returned in June 2025 as an articled clerk. In this role, he works closely with our team on matters in both insurance litigation and marine law.

Ryan Quigley

Articled Clerk

Lisa is an experienced insurance litigator who has appeared before all levels of court in Nova Scotia. Lisa represents a variety of national and international insurers, focusing on personal injury and property damage claims.

Lisa Richards

Partner

Nicole was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2025 following her articling term at Ritch Williams & Richards. She continues to practice with the firm as an associate, advocating for clients in insurance defense matters across the Atlantic Provinces.

Nicole Deluca

Associate Lawyer

Chris practiced law in New Brunswick from 2017-2018 before joining RWR in 2019. During his time with the firm, he has represented a variety of national insurers in both defending personal injury and property damage claims, as well as pursuing subrogated recovery in matters across Atlantic Canada.

Christopher Onderwater

Senior Associate

Kelsey was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2023 after articling with Ritch Williams & Richards. She has remained with the firm as an associate, representing clients in insurance defence and subrogation matters throughout the Atlantic Provinces.

Kelsey Warr

Associate Lawyer

Matt represents ship owners, carriers, cargo interests and their insurers on a wide variety of cases. His recent work includes charter party disputes, ship arrest and judicial sale, collision claims, builder and repairers' liability, hull and engine design issues and matters involving the aquaculture and energy industries. In addition to his marine practice, Matt has extensive experience in multi-party commercial litigation, including coverage disputes and other complex insurance matters. His practice extends beyond the Atlantic region, with work in Ontario and Northern Canada. Matt has appeared before all levels of Court in Canada.

Matthew G. Williams

Partner

Brian understands that information is power and provides attention to detail on each file. He has a dynamic background in law and policy, which has honed his ability to assess situations and predict outcomes. Brian has an eclectic mix of life experiences that help him connect with clients and colleagues.

Brian Francis

Legal Analyst

Valerie was called to the Ontario Bar in 2018 and the Northwest Territories Bar in 2020. Prior to returning home to Nova Scotia and joining Ritch Williams & Richards in 2023, Valerie practiced in a wide range of legal areas in Ottawa and Yellowknife. Valerie is further developing her litigation practice at Ritch Williams & Richards, representing clients in insurance defence and subrogation matters throughout the Atlantic provinces.

Valerie Paquette

Associate Lawyer

Ian was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 2016 after articling with one of Atlantic Canada's largest law firms, where he gained extensive experience in insurance defence. Now with Ritch Williams & Richards, he represents clients in defence, subrogation, and coverage matters, including occupiers' liability claims and professional and contractor liability disputes. A member of the bar in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Ian has also represented clients in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. He has appeared before the New Brunswick Court of King's Bench and Provincial Court.

Ian Whitcomb

Senior Associate

In Memoriam - Wayne Francis

Partner

Administrative Team

Ali Buchan

Controller

(902) 428-1472

abuchan@rwrlawyers.ca

Arlene Armsworthy

Legal Assistant

(902) 706-6883

aarmsworthy@rwrlawyers.ca

Jessica Carter

Office Administrator

(902) 536-1963

jcarter@rwrlawyers.ca

Wanda Dagnall

Legal Assistant

(902) 706-6892

wdagnall@rwrlawyers.ca

Erika Hosking

Accounting Administrator

(902) 706-6887

ehosking@rwrlawyers.ca

Valerie Soy

Legal Assistant

(902) 706-6890

vsoy@rwrlawyers.ca

Maddison Riles

Litigation Paralegal

(902) 706-6882

mriles@rwrlawyers.ca

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