LEGAL BACKGROUND

Geoff is a member of the Law Society - NL; the Canadian Bar Association, "CBA," (Civil Litigation and Insurance sections); American Association of Justice (Brain Injury, Medical Malpractice sections); the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (Medical Malpractice and Disability Insurance sections); The Advocate's Society; the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association and the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto [pending].  Geoff is a former Chairperson of the CBA National Civil Litigation and an incoming member of the executive of the CBA National Insurance Law Section. Geoff recently served as chairperson of the Law Foundation-NL.  He has served as a panel chair of the Mental Health Care and Treatment Board and as a member of the discipline panel of the Institute of Chartered Accountants-NL.

Geoff has appeared before all levels of Court in Newfoundland and Labrador and before both levels of the Federal Court. He has made numerous representations on behalf of clients on Canada Pension Plan Disability Applications and Worker's Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (Review Division).  Geoff represented Newfoundland and Labrador class action plaintiffs in national class actions against Merck (VIOXX) and General Motors (transmission defect).  Geoff was a member of the Uniform Law Conference of Canada (ULCC), Civil Law Section which prepared a report for the ULCC on National Class Actions.

Geoff published the Newfoundland and Labrador Case Digest between 1993 and 2012. He has presented various papers.  Most recently, he presented a paper for the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association and the CBA, New Brunswick Section, on the use of medical record evidence in personal injury, malpractice and disability claims.

EDUCATION

Geoff received his law degree from Osgoode Hall, York University.  Memorial University conferred a joint honours degree in Political Science and Economics on Geoff and awarded him the gold medal in Economics.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Geoff and his wife Elaine have three children: Stephen, Erin, and Meaghan; and a poodle, Bosun. Geoff is a member of the Father J.B. Knights of Columbus Council and the Terra Nova Assembly. Geoff is a 30-year chevron member of Lions International and has served as president of the St. John's Metro, Mount Pearl, and St. John's Lions Clubs.  He is a former member of the provincial advisory council of the CNIB.  Geoff [Fintan Geoffrey Aylward] is the second in a lineage of lawyers: preceded by his father, Justice Fintan Joseph Aylward, and followed by his son, Stephen Geoffrey Aylward.