Debra Curcio Lister, KC

Partner | Edmonton

780.429.9763

Portrait of Debra Curcio Lister

Overview

Deb Lister is Co-Leader of Miller Thomson’s Commercial Litigation Group. She has a commercial litigation practice involving a breadth of experience and expertise in a number of areas and industries. While representing a wide range of clients, Deb has a particular interest in the following  areas:

Corporate commercial litigation: shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, and general commercial/contractual disputes of all types.

Insurance matters: provision of advice regarding coverage, litigation regarding coverage disputes, and representation of insured matters for architects, engineers, social hosts, and others.

Trusts and estates: litigation services relating to all matters, including the replacement and appointment of trustees, applications for advice and direction, and will challenges.

Family Law: divorce, pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements, and property disputes, particularly those involving complex property and corporate matters.

Professional achievements & leadership

  • King's Counsel, 2024
  • Benchmark Canada, Litigation Star, 2023 - 2024
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, 2018 - 2025; Insurance Law, 2022 - 2025; Trusts and Estates, 2024 - 2025
  • Sessional Instructor, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Civil Procedure, 2010 - 2014
  • Dean’s List, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, 1997 - 2000
  • Berger Prize in Criminal Trial and Procedure
  • Parlee Scholarship
  • Honourable Mr. Justice Arnold F. Moir Scholarship

Thought leadership

  • Guest Lecturer, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Professional Responsibility, 2022-Present
  • Guest Lecturer, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Constitutional Litigation 2021-Present
  • Co-author, “Why competent legal advice is fundamental,” Miller Thomson Estate Litigation Blog, May 5, 2021
  • Co-author, “The scope and interpretation of faulty workmanship exclusions in multi-peril policies,” Miller Thomson Insurance Law Blog, May 12, 2020
  • Co-author, “The ins and out of the 'Impaired Property' exclusion in commercial general liability policies,” Miller Thomson Communiqué, July 2016
  • Author, A Primer Regarding Exclusion Clauses,” Miller Thomson Communiqué, November 13, 2008

Community involvement

  • University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Guest Lecturer, Professional Responsibility, 2022-2023
  • University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Guest Lecturer, Constitutional Litigation 2021-2023
  • Workshops Facilitator: Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP), Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) Foundation,  2020 - Present
  • Legislative Review Committee, North (Canadian Bar Association) , Member 2020 – present
  • Board of Governors, Bissell Centre, May 2020-2023

Professional memberships

  • Member, Law Society of Alberta
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association - Insurance Section, Wills & Trusts Section, Civil Litigation Section, and Family Section
  • Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers Association

Bar admissions & education

  • Alberta, 2001
  • LL.B. (with distinction), University of Alberta, 2000
  • B.A. (psychology, with first-class honours), Brock University, 1997