Litigation: Product Liability
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 362 1812Chambers Review
McCarthy Tétrault is a national law firm with a significant product liability practice and a strong track record for experienced trial work. It draws upon its wider experience in healthcare and class action litigation, and is particularly well known for its work concerning medical devices, pharmaceutical and tobacco products, as well as advising on matters involving auto parts and agricultural products. The lawyers also provide strategic advice on litigation avoidance.
Work Highlights
- McCarthy Tétrault represented Abbott Laboratories in multi-jurisdictional litigation involving Meridia, a diet drug which was withdrawn from the Canadian market due to alleged cardiac risks.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is always very quick to respond and always provides comprehensive and thorough analysis and feedback."
"The team possesses superior intellect and experience, as well as the horsepower to take on the truly important cases."
"The team excelled at managing numerous and overlapping workstreams, and were more than willing to take difficult positions in the best interest of the client."
"The team was able to quickly understand the technical complexities of the business and build a strong argument for the case based on this understanding."
"The team is always very quick to respond and always provides comprehensive and thorough analysis and feedback."
"The team possesses superior intellect and experience, as well as the horsepower to take on the truly important cases."
"The team excelled at managing numerous and overlapping workstreams, and were more than willing to take difficult positions in the best interest of the client."
"The team was able to quickly understand the technical complexities of the business and build a strong argument for the case based on this understanding."
Notable Practitioners
Caroline Zayid leads the firm's litigation department nationally from her Toronto base. She operates a broad contentious practice that sees her act in complex and high-value product liability cases in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
"She's very pragmatic and delivers excellent results on complex litigation matters in Canada."
"Caroline Zayid is just outstanding - whatever question you bring her, she processes it lightning quick, integrates it into the strategy and provides a clear, efficient and enlightening answer."
Sought-after litigator Michel Gagné is based out of the firm's Montréal office. He is regularly instructed by pharmaceutical and consumer product companies for his counsel on product and manufacturers' liability class actions.
"Michel Gagné is a very wise and experienced litigator who can help navigate clients through the complexities of the Québec courts."
"He is a knowledgeable, practical and strategic lawyer who knows our business well."
Deborah Templer is a partner in the firm's litigation group. She regularly defends manufacturers in substantial class actions that span across a range of industries, including tobacco and pharmaceuticals.
"Deborah is a superstar litigator and case manager who never lets anything slip through the cracks."
"She was laser-focused on client service."
Michael Feder KC is particularly noted for his product liability practice based out of Vancouver. He is often leading national cases for manufacturers as well as pharmaceutical and tobacco companies.
"He is able to take complex concepts and explain them in a way that's understandable."
"He is an astute legal strategist who is also very adept at managing the day-to-day of any litigation."
Byron Shaw is an up-and-coming partner based in the firm's Toronto office. He demonstrates particular expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, regularly defending clients in class actions and individual claims.
"Byron is very attuned to every detail on legal matters. He shows great willingness to share his knowledge to make sure there's alignment and that further litigation can be prevented."
"He displays strong legal and written skills, as well as critical thinking and analysis."
Ranked Lawyers at
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Nationwide - Canada