Laura stands out as a distinguished litigator with a formidable track record in complex class actions and high-stakes trials, consistently securing favorable outcomes for her clients. Laura excels at analyzing complicated legal issues and presenting persuasive arguments in court.
Her sophisticated legal acumen, rooted in a deep understanding of Canadian law and the intricacies of litigation, allows her to craft tailored strategies that resonate with the sophisticated needs of her clients.
Laura’s proactive approach to anticipating case developments and her meticulous preparation enable her to adeptly navigate through negotiations, trials, and appeals, always with a steadfast dedication to her clients’ interests.
Laura’s expertise is underscored by her recognition in Chambers Canada, Benchmark Canada, and as one of the Top 100 Women Litigators in Canada, among other accolades. Laura’s legal finesse is also evidenced by her early career achievements, including winning the Treasurer’s Medal for the highest marks in the Ontario Bar admission course and clerking for the Court of Appeal for Ontario, complemented by her foundational experience as a criminal lawyer where she honed her courtroom skills.
Representative Work
- BP plc in a securities class action on behalf of Canadian shareholders, arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion. After many other precedent setting motions and appeals, the case was dismissed
- Pharmaceutical class actions – defending large public and private generic pharmaceutical companies in class actions involving various drugs, including arising from recalls. Precedent -setting wins include the dismissal of certification in Ranitidine (recall); the dismissal of certification – including a claim for mental distress damages – in Valsartan (recall); and dismissal of concerted joint action claims in the Ontario opioids national class action. Also advising large company in complex price-fixing class action. Cases ongoing
- Scotiabank customer class action – defending case alleging unauthorized charging of fees for ‘not sufficient funds’ transactions. Ongoing
- Economical/Definity Insurance class action – in one of the few common issue trials in Canada. Case claimed for business interruption insurance coverage arising from the COVID pandemic. Case dismissed at trial, upheld on appeal (Workman, 2024)
- BlackRock – prosecuting civil commercial claims for millions against principals of insolvent company (Bridging) alleging fraud, etc. Ongoing.
- GTAA Pearson Airport – advising and representing in various matters, including group claims by taxi/limo drivers/owners, and in commercial disputes involving airlines and customers. Ongoing
- Telus Health (Morneau Shepell/LifeWorks) securing dismissal of application for pre-trial discovery (Norwich order) relating to multi-million dollar acquisition of business; successful on appeal (Bluemoon, 2022)
- Data Breaches – professional services firm and bank – giving ‘real-time’ litigation and class action mitigation options, following large and small cyber-attacks and customer data breaches
- GTAA Pearson Airport – advising and representing in various matters, including group claims by taxi/limo drivers/owners, and in commercial disputes involving airlines and customers. Ongoing
- Telus Health (Morneau Shepell/LifeWorks) securing dismissal of application for pre-trial discovery (Norwich order) relating to multi-million dollar acquisition of business; successful on appeal (Bluemoon, 2022)
- Data Breaches – professional services firm and bank – giving ‘real-time’ litigation and class action mitigation options, following large and small cyber-attacks and customer data breaches
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Jun 27, 2024
B.C.’s forever litigation: first tobacco, then opioids, now ‘forever chemicals’
On June 21, 2024, the B.C. government filed a proposed national class action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against manufacturers of...
Read more -
Blog Mar 28, 2024
Court of Appeal upholds certification denial and dismissal of drug recall class action
A recent Court of Appeal for Ontario decision has affirmed the denial of certification and dismissal of a proposed class action arising from the 2018...
Read more -
Osler Update Mar 22, 2024
No longer just tobacco and opioids: B.C. plans commencing more class actions to recover health care costs involving virtually any product
On March 14, 2024, the province of British Columbia proposed broad multi-government class action legislation to claim costs arising from...
Read more -
Blog Mar 11, 2024
Skip the arbitration: mandatory arbitration clause in standard-form contract found unconscionable
In Pokornik v. SkipTheDishes Restaurant Services Inc, the Manitoba Court of Appeal has held that the arbitration clause in a standard form...
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Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence); Litigation: Product Liability
—Chambers Canada -
Recognized in Class Actions; Toronto’s top class action lawyers in 2021; Litigation – Securities
—The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory -
Recognized in Class Actions
—The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada -
Recognized in Class Action Litigation; Corporate and Commercial Litigation
—Best Lawyers in Canada
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Recognized in Securities; Commercial; Class Action (Litigation Star); Recognized in “Top 100 Women in Litigation” in Canada
—Benchmark Litigation -
Awarded an Arbor Award for longstanding volunteer service
—University of Toronto
Media Mentions
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Osler News Aug 28, 2024
Four Osler partners recognized in Benchmark Canada’s ‘Top 100 Women in Litigation’ in 2024
Osler congratulates partners Maureen Killoran, KC, Mary Buttery, KC, Laura Fric and Teresa Tomchak for their inclusion in the 11th edition of...
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Osler News Apr 22, 2024
Six Osler lawyers recognized by Who’s Who Legal Life Sciences — Canada
Osler congratulations the six members of the firm who have earned the “Recommended” rating from Who’s Who Legal (WWL) Life Sciences — Canada.
Read more -
Osler News Jan 9, 2024
34 Osler lawyers recognized in 2024 Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Osler is pleased to announce that 34 of our lawyers have been recognized in the 2024 edition of the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500...
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Osler News Nov 23, 2023
23 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation 2023
23 Osler lawyers featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation 2023.
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Summer Book Reading Social – The Jane Austen Society
Speaker, July 14, 2020
Published Work
In the Media
- Quoted in Proposed changes to Ontario’s class-action laws would make it harder to sue corporations and government, experts say, The Globe and Mail, Feb 9, 2020
- Ontario overtime class actions: A map for certification?
- Stats offer glimpse of how leave requirement has played out
- Court of Appeal denies certification in CIBC overtime class action
- Disabled Mountie veterans win $70 million settlement
- Pinning down a legal definition of good faith
- Best Lawyers 2015 recognizes 139 Osler lawyers
- Opt-outs face hurdle to opt in, court rules
- SCC’s Sino-Forest decision shows CCAA trumps all
- Benchmark Canada 2014 Recognizes 22 Osler Lawyers
- New role looks to support associates’ diverse roles
- Author of Ontario overtime class actions: A map for certification?, Canadian Employment Law Today, Mar 20, 2015.
- Chapter “Employment Class Actions” with L. Sokolov in text “New Perspectives on Canadian Employment Law”, LexisNexis, 2014.
- Quoted in Court of Appeal denies certification in CIBC overtime class action, Canadian Lawyer, Oct 7, 2014
- Quoted in Disabled Mountie veterans win $70 million settlement, The Lawyers Weekly Aug 29, 2014
- Quoted in Class action battles to shift to trial court from motions hearings, Drew Hasselback, Legal Post, Nov 28, 2012.
- Quoted in Charity lawsuit has implications for class actions, Drew Hasselback, Financial Post, Nov 7, 2012 (with Kevin O’Brien and Karin Sachar).
- Quoted in Osler’s take on the Look Communications ruling, Barry Critchley, Financial Post, Oct 12, 2012 (with Douglas Bryce and Karin Sachar).
- Quoted in Confidentiality agreements can make or break a deal; Mum’s the word, Derek Sankey, Financial Post, Sept 2012.
- Quoted in Leo Strine gives confidentiality agreements a firm foundation, Drew Hasselback, Financial Post, May 2012 (with Emmanuel Pressman and Jeremy Fraiberg).
- Quoted in Overtime Class Cases Still Maturing, Drew Hasselback, Financial Post, May 2, 2012.
Credentials
Education
- University of Toronto, LL.B.
- University of Western Ontario, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- ABA Member, Litigation Section
- Advocates’ Society