Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 366 8381About
Provided by Fasken
We approach class action litigation to win, either in court, or through strategically negotiated settlements. It is critical to have an experienced legal team who can advocate for you and develop a strong tactical response.
Our Fasken team is known in Canada and internationally for our class action expertise, strategic ability and excellent client service. We have been counsel on many of Canada’s most closely watched class action lawsuits in recent years and have acted for world class clients on precedent-setting matters. Our lawyers specialize in providing seamless representation in multiple jurisdictions across Canada, and work with our clients’ counsel in other countries to ensure effective coordination of parallel cross-border cases.
Developing an appropriate strategy to mitigate risk and manage the defence of a class action matter is critical, and a deep understanding of our clients’ business and industry areas allows us to provide practical advice. We use creative approaches that go “outside the box” to reduce the impacts on our clients of lengthy litigation, often in multiple jurisdictions, through early substantive and procedural challenges.
Chambers Review
Fasken fields an experienced defence team with multi-jurisdictional capabilities in competition and securities class actions. The firm's clients hail from a range of sectors including technology, mining, pharmaceutical and financial services. The team offers further strength in construction, IP, insurance and environmental law. It is also notable for its expertise in cybersecurity actions and its privacy law specialists. With experience across its national office network, the group is particularly highly regarded for its key strength in Vancouver.
Work Highlights
- Fasken represented Sandoz and Novartis in opioid putative class actions that have been filed in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Québec.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They provide thoughtful, meaningful analysis and strategic direction that is sensitive to business concerns and objectives."
"They have the resources to take time on relevant issues, provide solid advice on strategic issues and ensure adequate preparation."
"Fasken have provided very sophisticated advice on complex matters which cross Canada. They have managed regulator support while also running hearings in various courts."
"They provide thoughtful, meaningful analysis and strategic direction that is sensitive to business concerns and objectives."
"They have the resources to take time on relevant issues, provide solid advice on strategic issues and ensure adequate preparation."
"Fasken have provided very sophisticated advice on complex matters which cross Canada. They have managed regulator support while also running hearings in various courts."
Notable Practitioners
Geoffrey Cowper KC is widely recognised for his broad disputes practice, which encompasses class actions and notable work in cases concerning competition law. He is based in Vancouver.
"Geoff is one of the finest courtroom lawyers I have ever seen in terms of oral advocacy."
Sarah Armstrong attracts plaudits for her growing presence in Canada's disputes market, acting on both single-plaintiff and class actions. With a strong track record in cybersecurity and securities class actions, she also has notable experience in insurance-related cases. She is based in Toronto.
"Sarah is very good - her experience in class actions and understanding of the processes in that area really stands out."
"She has exceptional judgement and is a fantastic oral advocate."
Andrew Borrell is a widely respected Vancouver-based commercial litigator with wide-ranging class action experience covering consumer protection, privacy and product liability.
"He's a well-rounded lawyer who is logical and solutions-oriented."
Laura Cooper represents entities in financial services, technology and e-commerce in consumer protection, price-fixing and privacy-related class action suits. She is chair of Fasken's litigation group as well as the firm's class action group.
"She is an experienced lawyer who provides good, strategic advice."
"Laura is always anticipating our need and questions. We always feel well represented in our positions and the outcomes speak for themselves,"
Peter Pliszka regularly handles single-plaintiff and class action cases out of the firm's Toronto office. A highly regarded expert in product liability litigation, he routinely represents major automotive and pharmaceutical companies in class proceedings.
"Peter is just a top-notch litigator."
Ranked Lawyers at
Fasken
Nationwide - Canada