Dispute resolution: Ontario

Fasken

Fasken's Ontario disputes practice specializes in class action defence, product liability litigation and securities litigation, as it counts companies in the automotive, energy, financial services and tech sectors among its clients. Toronto-based department lead Sarah Armstrong has focused her practice on commercial litigation, arbitration and class action defence, as well as administrative law matters. Additional names to note include Peter Pliszka (product liability, class action, commercial and insurance litigation matters); Ottawa-based Peter Mantas, who co-leads the firm’s white collar defence and investigations group; and Ontario litigation vice chair Vera Toppings (class actions and complex business and contractual disputes).

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have engaged with Fasken as co-counsel on class action matters. They have deep expertise, both on class action procedure and subject-matter expertise of the particular claim. They collaborated seamlessly with co-counsel; contributed significantly to the joint defence effort, and did so in an efficient manner that demonstrated a high level of legal acumen.’
‘Vera Toppings - she is one of the leading lights of the next generation in the class actions defence bar. She has a wide variety of experience across all types of class actions and is abreast of the case law. She has credibility with the courts and co-counsel who work with her.'
David Hausman - incredible experience and expertise on securities law. Others look to him to navigate the complexity of this area of law, and he has tremendous recall and depth of experience on the most intricate details of securities regulation.’
‘Fasken has a very capable class action defence and securities litigation practice. Vera Toppings is an excellent young class action litigator. David Hausman has deep experience in securities litigation.’
‘Peter Pliszka and his team deliver practical and timely legal advice that reflects their subject matter expertise. As important, Peter and his team take the time to learn our business and establish relationships with internal personnel. These relationships assist in ensuring that file management and end results align with our overall company goals.’
‘Great value for every dollar spent, deep subject matter expertise, they truly care about the client and finding creative and innovative solutions to securities law issues that are complex and often require speedy resolution.’
‘David Hausman is an incredibly deep expert and an empathetic counsel. He has deep relationships with regulators and also industry leaders. Jonathan Wansborough follows right in David's footsteps and is always steady under stress and a great partner available always even when it's a rushed request.'
‘Sarah Armstrong is a smart, dedicated, thoughtful and diplomatic lawyer and member of the legal community.'

Key clients

Intact Insurance Company, Novex Insurance Company and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
TD Waterhouse Canada
IAMGOLD Corporation
IMAX Corporation
Aviva Canada
The Co-operators
Just Energy Group
Metrolinx
Panthera Resources
Zijin Mining Group
Capital One
Sandoz Canada
Aux Cayes Fintech
FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Nissan Canada
Equifax
Elanco Canada
XTL Transport
BMW Canada
Royal Bank of Canada
BMO Nesbitt Burns
TD Securities
Bank of Nova Scotia
Guyana Goldfields
CIBC
Manulife Financial
RBC Dominion Securities
Canadian Pacific Railway

Work highlights

Represented TD Waterhouse Canada in national class proceedings arising from the payment of trailing commissions to execution only dealers by mutual fund managers.
Represented Sandoz Canada in a product liability class action that was brought following a national recall of a widespread hypertension drug.