Overview
Cynthia Carels is a personal injury lawyer who guides plaintiffs through claims regarding motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, fatalities, and catastrophic injuries. She also provides strategic legal media relations services to clients in the public spotlight.
Personal injury claims: motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, occupier’s liability, and product liability claims
Fatality claims: bereavement claims, loss of dependency on income and household services, and pre-death costs of care
Class action litigation: crisis communications, legal media relations, and brand preservation/rehabilitation
Strategic media relations: proactive media relations, crisis communications planning, legal media relations, and brand reputation management
Prior to joining Miller Thomson, Cynthia had a career in broadcasting and communications, and remains well connected with local, provincial, and national media. She frequently appears as a guest expert on radio and television, and provides strategic legal media relations advice to clients in the public spotlight.
With experience as a broadcast journalist, Cynthia knows how to develop and deliver key messages to target audiences with confidence and clarity.
In 2016 she produced the web series “Legal Media Relations,” a nationally accredited professional development program for the Canadian Bar Association, in partnership with Global News.
Cynthia volunteers with the Civil Claims Duty Counsel Project, and the Amicus Project, providing pro bono legal services at the Edmonton courthouse.
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Thought leadership
- Hosted and Produced “Legal Media Relations” in co-operation with Global News, a media relations training program for the Canadian Bar Association, March 2016
- Hosted “Media and the Law,” three-part series with Douglas Mah, Q.C. for the Canadian Bar Association, September-November 2014
- Presented “Beyond the Client: Working with Experts,” Civil Litigation for Paralegals, LESA Seminar, Edmonton & Calgary, May 2007
- Spokesperson for injured plaintiff in action against the City of Edmonton
- Interviewed by Global News regarding potential liability exposure for homeowners with trampolines
- Interviewed by Global News about the impact of social media on personal injury litigation
- Interviewed by Global News regarding the legal implications of waivers at trampoline parks
- Contributor to the Miller Thomson Personal Injury Blog
Community involvement
- Volunteer, Civil Claims Duty Counsel Project and Amicus Project
- Volunteer, Alberta Cultural Exchange Experience Society
- Volunteer, Refugee Sponsorship Support Program
Professional memberships
- Member, Law Society of Alberta
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers’ Association
Bar admissions & education
- Alberta Bar, 2012
- LL.B., University of Alberta, 2011
- B.A. (English, with distinction), University of Alberta, 1999
- Cinema, Television, Stage & Radio Arts, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, 1995
