Allison Schmidt

Allison Schmidt has devoted over 20 years to the persistent and compassionate protection of the access of people with disabilities to income protection under the Canada Pension Plan Disability program.  

Allison originates from Melbourne, Australia. She arrived in Canada in 1988.  She began her career in the insurance industry working in the claims processing area.  During this time period, she took many insurance industry courses becoming proficient in the adjudication of medical, dental, life, and disability insurance claims.  

In 1995, Allison left the insurance industry to begin her academic study at the University of Regina where she achieved a BA Honours in Psychology.  She continued her studies working on the completion of her MA degree in Gerontology.

While studying at the University of Regina, she was employed by a local law firm who appealed the denial of disability claims.  She founded the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic Inc. in March 1998 upon noticing the increased number of denials of Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

This observation became the start of her career in CPP Disability advocacy.  She researched the Canada Pension Plan disability program, by undertaking Freedom of Information requests. This story was highlighted nationally in the CBC radio story “Enemy of the State”.  Over the years she her work has been featured on national media discussing issues related to Canada Pension Plan disability benefits and the unacceptable denial rates.

Allison Schmidt has also made presentations to many support groups, conferences, and regional associations of chronically disabled individuals across Canada.  In 2002, she was asked to attend in Ottawa to participate in a round-table discussion with the Sub-Committee on Status of Persons with Disabilities.  She is currently a member of the CPP Disability Roundtable who convened to undertake a comprehensive review of the CPP disability program.  She has also made a presentation to the Sub-Committee at their Canada Pension Plan Parliamentary Hearings.

Allison Schmidt has helped hundreds of individuals with her thorough understanding of the Canada Pension Plan administration and the Social Security Tribunal.  Her expertise in the field of Canada Pension Plan disability appeals, along with her extensive knowledge and experience, has effectively assisted her clients with quality representation before various levels of appeals.

Allison Schmidt

Allison Schmidt has devoted over 20 years to the persistent and compassionate protection of the access of people with disabilities to income protection under the Canada Pension Plan Disability program.  

Allison originates from Melbourne, Australia. She arrived in Canada in 1988.  She began her career in the insurance industry working in the claims processing area.  During this time period, she took many insurance industry courses becoming proficient in the adjudication of medical, dental, life, and disability insurance claims.  

In 1995, Allison left the insurance industry to begin her academic study at the University of Regina where she achieved a BA Honours in Psychology.  She continued her studies working on the completion of her MA degree in Gerontology.

While studying at the University of Regina, she was employed by a local law firm who appealed the denial of disability claims.  She founded the Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic Inc. in March 1998 upon noticing the increased number of denials of Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

This observation became the start of her career in CPP Disability advocacy.  She researched the Canada Pension Plan disability program, by undertaking Freedom of Information requests. This story was highlighted nationally in the CBC radio story “Enemy of the State”.  Over the years she her work has been featured on national media discussing issues related to Canada Pension Plan disability benefits and the unacceptable denial rates.

Allison Schmidt has also made presentations to many support groups, conferences, and regional associations of chronically disabled individuals across Canada.  In 2002, she was asked to attend in Ottawa to participate in a round-table discussion with the Sub-Committee on Status of Persons with Disabilities.  She is currently a member of the CPP Disability Roundtable who convened to undertake a comprehensive review of the CPP disability program.  She has also made a presentation to the Sub-Committee at their Canada Pension Plan Parliamentary Hearings.

Allison Schmidt has helped hundreds of individuals with her thorough understanding of the Canada Pension Plan administration and the Social Security Tribunal.  Her expertise in the field of Canada Pension Plan disability appeals, along with her extensive knowledge and experience, has effectively assisted her clients with quality representation before various levels of appeals.

Dan H. Griffith, Legal Partner

Dan H. Griffith is a practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Graduate Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from the University of Oregon.

Dan is a skilled advocate who has experience in before both the courts and with administrative tribunals. He has successfully represented clients before the Social Security Tribunal, RoadSafetyBC (a provincial tribunal that deals with driving prohibitions), the Residential Tenancy Branch, Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada, the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. When not working on Fortis Advocacy Partners files, he practices law at his two other businesses: D.H. Griffith Law and the ATAC Law Corporation.

Dan believes that every person who is entitled to a disability pension should receive one. He understands that the process for applying for CPP disability benefits is difficult and that dealing with the Social Security Tribunal is even more challenging. He cares about his clients and believes in putting their needs first. As the MDP’s legal partner, Dan is responsible for overseeing and supervising all legal work performed by Fortis Advocacy Partners and its staff. He ensures that all work is high quality and is completed in full compliance with the Legal Profession Act.

Dan H. Griffith, Legal Partner

Dan H. Griffith is a practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Graduate Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from the University of Oregon.

Dan is a skilled advocate who has experience in before both the courts and with administrative tribunals. He has successfully represented clients before the Social Security Tribunal, RoadSafetyBC (a provincial tribunal that deals with driving prohibitions), the Residential Tenancy Branch, Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada, the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. When not working on Fortis Advocacy Partners files, he practices law at his two other businesses: D.H. Griffith Law and the ATAC Law Corporation.

Dan believes that every person who is entitled to a disability pension should receive one. He understands that the process for applying for CPP disability benefits is difficult and that dealing with the Social Security Tribunal is even more challenging. He cares about his clients and believes in putting their needs first. As the MDP’s legal partner, Dan is responsible for overseeing and supervising all legal work performed by Fortis Advocacy Partners and its staff. He ensures that all work is high quality and is completed in full compliance with the Legal Profession Act.

Meghan Carter

Meghan has worked in legal industry for the past 15 years and she has experience in many areas of law.  She spent almost 5 years working for the Legal Services Society of British Columbia where she directly assisted people who were facing legal issues and needed support.

Before going back to school to complete her Paralegal Certificate, she attended Simon Fraser University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts and graduated in the top 15% of her Criminology class. In 2016 Meghan started a company called LegalProse, which provides contract paralegal support to lawyers and law firms across British Columbia.

Meghan was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where she still lives today. You will often find her hiking in the mountains of North Vancouver or frolicking in the ocean in and around the city.

Meghan Carter

Meghan has worked in legal industry for the past 15 years and she has experience in many areas of law.  She spent almost 5 years working for the Legal Services Society of British Columbia where she directly assisted people who were facing legal issues and needed support.

Before going back to school to complete her Paralegal Certificate, she attended Simon Fraser University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts and graduated in the top 15% of her Criminology class. In 2016 Meghan started a company called LegalProse, which provides contract paralegal support to lawyers and law firms across British Columbia.

Meghan was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where she still lives today. You will often find her hiking in the mountains of North Vancouver or frolicking in the ocean in and around the city.