Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 362 2111About
Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler’s Class Actions Defence Practice Group has successfully defended clients in many of the leading and complex class action cases in Canada. They specialize in developing multi-faceted national class action defence strategies and, when necessary, coordinating with U.S. counsel to supplement and execute a cohesive, solution-focused North American defence strategy. Osler also has an excellent track record in opposing and defeating class certification and winning early dismissals in every major jurisdiction in Canada.
Chambers Review
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt maintains a skilled dispute resolution group, commended for the breadth and depth of its class action practice, including support on high-value cases involving product liability, securities, consumer protection and competition disputes. The team handles complex litigation for a range of high-profile clients in the financial services, pharmaceutical and tobacco industries. The firm derives significant strength from its Ontario operations, coupled with notable class actions experience from its respected offices in Québec and Alberta.
Work Highlights
- Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP defended 23andMe in class actions arising from a significant data breach in October 2023.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"In addition to possessing robust legal knowledge, they were also knowledgeable about the local legal practical and, above all, they were practical in their approach."
"The team is smart, experienced and extremely responsive."
"Osler's team is very strong across all levels and they are able to provide the right lawyer for each issue that arises."
"In addition to possessing robust legal knowledge, they were also knowledgeable about the local legal practical and, above all, they were practical in their approach."
"The team is smart, experienced and extremely responsive."
"Osler's team is very strong across all levels and they are able to provide the right lawyer for each issue that arises."
Notable Practitioners
Deborah Glendinning is an accomplished Toronto-based litigator with experience appearing in high-profile class actions including those in the tobacco and pharmaceutical sectors.
"Deborah is an exceptional lawyer and a valued partner to us."
Laura Fric is regularly instructed to defend companies in consumer and securities class actions, with particular experience acting on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and distributors. She is based in Toronto.
"I trust her judgement and ability to deal with other parties in a way that is constructive and ultimately beneficial to our position. She is incredibly adept at understanding the interests of others."
Christopher Naudie is frequently instructed on complex competition class actions. He operates out of Toronto, and his client list includes major financial institutions and shipping companies.
"He is an incredibly smart and strategic lawyer who is ideally suited for bet-the-company litigation."
Sonia Bjorkquist has notable experience representing clients from an array of major industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, and tobacco, in high-profile product liability class actions, with further experience advising on price-fixing disputes. She chairs the firm's national litigation group from her Toronto base.
"Sonia is unflappable, smart and a pleasure to work with."
Montréal-based Éric Préfontaine is highlighted for his expertise in defending product liability and securities class actions. He is also adept at handling privacy and opioid-related disputes.
"Eric manages his cases really well - he knows when to delegate and is great to work with."
Robert Carson is based in Toronto and is noted for his proficiency in handling class action disputes. He is adept at advising on privacy, securities and life sciences cases.
"He is a very good litigator - he provides practical, commercially driven adviceand has secured some really good results for us."
Ranked Lawyers at
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP