Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 865 0040About
Provided by Torys LLP
With a multijurisdictional team of leading litigators, Torys brings strategic judgment and skilled advocacy to cohesively guide clients through sophisticated class actions across Canada, from pre-certification to trial and before courts of all levels.
Class actions are complex in both scale and scope: from the range of jurisdictions to the number of parties involved, they demand vigilant management and high-calibre advocacy.
Clients benefit from our single-team approach on all class action matters that cross jurisdictions. Our team includes lawyers called to multiple Bars with active practices in Québec and the rest of Canada. This means that the same team serves clients on civil and common law matters across the country, increasing efficiency, consistency and cohesion on litigation strategy.
We are among the very few firms in Canada who has defended multiple class proceedings at trial. Our trial and appellate experience is extensive, with a long track record leading and coordinating the defence and settlement of multijurisdictional class actions.
We understand the challenges clients face throughout the litigation process, and we bring focused counsel and a partnership mindset to help manage the risks and costs of class action proceedings. Our close-knit team is dedicated to achieving the best possible results for our clients, whether at the pre-certification stages, defending actions at trial or representing in appeals.
Chambers Review
Torys operates a top-drawer litigation practice, providing integrated nationwide class action representation out of its Toronto and Montréal offices. The firm handles prominent cases in various areas including securities, competition, employment and environmental law as well as advising on consumer class actions and privacy matters. The team provides wide-ranging industry expertise to prominent clients in the pharmaceutical, technology and financial sectors, among others. Its lawyers possess deep trial experience in both Canadian and US class actions, frequently working on cross-border matters with the support of the firm's office in New York.
Work Highlights
- Torys represented Laurentian Bank in a proposed securities class action in Québec alleging primary and secondary market misrepresentations concerning disclosures related to irregularities in its securitization activities, quality control processes and underwriting procedures.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have strong subject matter expertise and good depth of knowledge. They are also very responsive and display consistently strong commercial awareness."
"They are very effective in managing litigation claims and finding creative and alternative means of resolution."
"We frequently seek advice from Torys on complex and sensitive legal issues as they arise in Canada and consider them our go-to outside counsel for significant litigation and legal issues in Canada."
"They have strong subject matter expertise and good depth of knowledge. They are also very responsive and display consistently strong commercial awareness."
"They are very effective in managing litigation claims and finding creative and alternative means of resolution."
"We frequently seek advice from Torys on complex and sensitive legal issues as they arise in Canada and consider them our go-to outside counsel for significant litigation and legal issues in Canada."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based chair of the disputes practice Linda Plumpton commands significant respect in the market for her extensive experience handling all manner of securities, employment and antitrust class actions.
"Linda was very proactive and client-focused whilst also being strategic in her thinking. She looked at all the options to find the best one for our needs."
Managing partner of the firm's Montréal office, Sylvie Rodrigue has an impressive command of the law surrounding class actions. She regularly handles employment, consumer protection and product liability cases.
"She is an experienced trial lawyer - she gives good tactical advice on the full breadth of legal issues and gets good results for us."
Sarah Whitmore is based out of Torys' Toronto office and is well regarded for her growing expertise in class action litigation. She handles disputes in an array of provinces, primarily in relation to employment matters.
"Sarah is an amazing litigator who is responsive and knowledgeable. She always considers the broader picture and is always thinking several steps ahead."
William McNamara is a seasoned advocate in the class action space. Based in Toronto, he is particularly well versed in product liability and consumer protection mandates.
"Bill provides very strategic, high level advice on complex matters."
Anne Merminod is a Montréal-based lawyer with a burgeoning reputation for representing clients in class action disputes before an array of courts. She regularly provides assistance with consumer, privacy and product liability disputes.
"Anne Merminod is always just a phone call away - she provides practical advice and understands our needs as a client."
"Anne is an excellent litigator."
Matthew Angelus operates out of Torys' Montréal office. He frequently assists clients with class action litigation across Canada concerning commercial and consumer issues.
"Matthew has great technical knowledge and was helpful in helping us understand how to phrase things."
Ranked Lawyers at
Torys LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Torys LLP
