Martin Willemse
B.L.C., LL.B.
Partner, Western Canada Practice Leader
Practice Areas
Disability Insurance Law, Personal Injury Law
Location
Calgary, Vancouver
Experience
Martin Willemse is a partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, and Western Canada Practice Leader of the Long-term Disability (LTD) and Personal Injury Law practice group. He provides exceptional representation to his long-term disability clients in Alberta and British Columbia.
Martin is known in the community as an insurance lawyer who fights for the rights of those living with complex chronic illnesses and conditions including:
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis
- Lyme disease
- Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)
- Central sensitivity syndromes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Mental health disorders (major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder)
He is recognized as an advocate and legal resource by multiple organizations across BC, including the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Fibromyalgia Society of BC, National MEFM Action Network of Canada (for individuals living with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and chronic pain who have been denied long-term disability benefits), the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada – BC and Yukon Division, BC Psychological Association, and PainBC.
Martin represents clients with denied long-term disability claims throughout British Columbia and is well connected to those in the medical community who specialize in providing treatment to and assessments of people living with disability. He also represents clients with denied critical illness and death benefit claims. Martin has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and the Federal Court of Appeal, as well as in front of administrative tribunals such as the Pension Appeals Board. Read reviews about Martin.
With years of experience litigating and resolving denied disability claims, and through his ongoing involvement with non-profit organizations, Martin brings a deep understanding of chronic illness cases, working closely with medical specialists to secure strong, supportive evidence for his clients.
In 2022, Martin was voted one of the top insurance lawyers in BC by Best Lawyers magazine, a peer-reviewed publication.
Radio Hosting
The Disability Law Show on Radio
The Disablity Law Show with disability lawyers Sivan Tumarkin and Martin Willemse airs weekly on Global News Radio 770 CHQR in Calgary, 630 CHED in Edmonton, and 980 CKNW in Vancouver. The team answers the many questions listeners have about their rights to compensation following an LTD claim denial by the insurance company.
Articles & Blogs
2023
- Insurer forcing you back to work in British Columbia? 3 things to do – Global News
- Cut off long-term disability in B.C.? 3 things you must do – Global News
- Claiming long-term disability for anxiety? 3 reasons you could be denied – Global News
2022
- Claiming long-term disability for depression? 5 things to know – Global News
- 3 things that can help reduce stress when dealing with a long-term disability insurer – Global News
- Long-term disability denied in British Columbia? 3 things to do – Global News
- Applying for long-term disability for mental health issues? 3 things you should know – Global News
Education
Martin obtained his B.L.C. and LL.B. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria.
Awards
In recognition of his dedication and skill, Martin has been named among the top insurance lawyers in Canada for 2025 by Best Lawyers.
Memberships & Affiliations
Martin plays an important role at a number of organizations:
- Supervising lawyer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada – BC and Yukon Division
- Legal resource for the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Fibromyalgia Society of BC, as well as the federal National MEFM Action Network of Canada
- Seminars and discussions for the BC Psychological Association and PainBC about long-term disability claims
- Frequent speaker at insurance conferences and has on invitation participated in panel discussions with medical professionals, community support workers, and insurance industry representatives on issues related to disability claims.
Helpful Resources
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