Canada: Product Liability Defence
Our research picks out 17 practitioners from across Canada who are recognised nationally and beyond for their expertise in relation to product liability related claims across a range of industries.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP is the leading firm in this sector, and four of its partners earn listings in the chapter. Gordon McKee is widely recognised from his work as lead trial counsel in the first medical products class action to go to trial in Canada, and he is regarded as a “heavy hitter” with clients from across the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer goods and automotive industries. Alongside him, Mary Jane Stitt is a “class act” recognised for her litigation practice, and Robin Linley is much in demand for his advice to clients as well as for his representation in class actions involving medical devices, pharmaceuticals and consumer products and other related litigation. James Sullivan in Vancouver is one of the leading product liability experts in British Columbia.
Mary Thomson is national leader of the product liability practice group at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and a “pre-eminent authority for pharmaceutical related products work in particular”. Steven Sofer is particularly well known for his tobacco related work, and coordinated the litigation of a tobacco manufacturer across Canada.
Neil Finkelstein at McCarthy Tétrault LLP is widely regarded as “one of the best litigators in the country”, and he is joined in this chapter by Michel Gagné who is recognised for the quality of his defence of product liability class actions, particularly in relation to pharmaceutical products and consumer products, as well as his expertise in environmental cases such as soil and groundwater contamination.
James Hodgson at Norton Rose OR LLP is “extremely well known”, his representation of automotive, manufacturing and pharmaceutical clients in particular attracting the praise of respondents.
Scott Maidment is co-chair of the product liability group at McMillan LLP and a “quite brilliant strategist”. He is particularly well regarded for his work on behalf of clients from the life sciences sector, and he “stands out” for class action work.
William Berardino QC of Hunter Litigation Chambers is “a real authority” in this sector, and is widely recognised for his work on behalf of clients such as Honda.
Peter Pliszka of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is “absolutely first class”. Praised for the quality of his advice and of his representation, he has worked with clients from fields ranging from medical devices to food products, industrial machinery and cellular telephones. In the words of one of our interviewees: “the clients love him.”
At Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Glenn Zakaib is recognised as a “real product liability specialist”. Known for the “exceptional calibre” of his class action work, he has experience of cases relating to industries including drugs and medical devices, automotives and aviation products.
Robert Bell of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is “very highly respected in the local market”. He has represented clients in the automotive, aerospace and consumer products industries and is extremely well known for his class action practice.
Randall Hordo QC of Hordo Bennett Mounteer LLP is “one of the pre-eminent authorities in Canada for aviation related product liability work” according to our sources, and he has appeared in all levels of Court in BC as well as counsel at trial and appeal level of the Federal Court of Canada and in the Supreme Court of Canada.
At Camp Fiorante Matthews, JJ Camp QC is a “first class litigator” who is well known for his work on aviation and other types of product liability. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
In Calgary, Donald Chernichen QC of Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP is a nationally renowned litigator who was praised for his expertise relating to commercial and industrial product failure and duty to warn related issues.