Laura is a strategic litigator with a formidable record of successes in class actions and high-stakes commercial disputes.
She is the trusted choice for clients across many industries, to navigate their most challenging legal issues.
Laura is known for her deep command of Canadian law, strategic insight and calm focus. She cuts through complexity and works with clients to develop an approach tailored to their needs, and forges a clear path forward — at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
Her expertise is widely recognized, reflecting the respect she commands in the legal industry. She has been honoured by Chambers Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and Benchmark Litigation Canada, where she is listed among the Top 100 Women Litigators in Canada. Her early career was marked by significant achievements, including the Treasurer’s Medal for the highest marks in the Ontario Bar admission course and a prestigious clerkship at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Laura began her legal career as a criminal defence lawyer, an experience that shaped her direct and strategic advocacy style.
Highlighted by Chambers Canada, Laura received the following client praise: “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.” Another client describes Laura: “She’s really smart, great at strategizing and good on her feet too.”
Representative Work
- 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. Claims dismissed at trial, upheld on appeal (Workman, 2024). Case is ongoing with plaintiffs now seeking certification of other claims made under different insurance coverages.
- Pharmaceutical class actions – defending large generic pharmaceutical companies in class actions involving various drugs, including cases arising from recalls, and multiple class actions involving opioids. 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
- BlackRock – arising from the Bridging Financial (BFI) fraud and insolvency, pursuing civil commercial claims against many of BFI’s principals and their trusts for tens of millions in damages, with millions recovered to date. Case is ongoing and heading to discoveries.
- 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.
- 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
-
Osler Update August 8, 2025
Federal government ordered to pay investors hundreds of millions for failing to live up to wireless spectrum licence auction promises
An Ontario decision has held the federal government liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to investors in wireless spectrum licences.
Read more
-
Blog May 15, 2025
Class action against BMW hits a legal dead end
A Court of Appeal decision regarding a class action against BMW has significance for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Read more -
Blog February 13, 2025
‘Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends’: Ontario class actions beware
The Ontario Court of Appeal recently interpreted, for the first time, the new “dismissal for delay” provisions in the province’s Class...
Read more -
Report December 5, 2024
Product liability: tipping the scales against industry
Product liability in Canada is evolving, with increasing government intervention likely in 2025 and beyond.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
-
Recognized in Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence); Litigation: Product Liability
—Chambers Canada -
Repeatedly recognized in Class Actions; Litigation – Litigation – Product Liability
—The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory -
Recognized in Class Actions and Litigation Securities
—Lexpert’s Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers: A Guide to Doing Business in Canada -
Recognized in Class Action Litigation; Corporate and Commercial Litigation
—Lexpert Special Edition – Litigation
-
Recognized as a top litigator in Canada
—Best Lawyers in Canada -
Recognized in Securities; Commercial; Class Action (Litigation Star); Recognized in “Top 100 Women in Litigation” in Canada
—Benchmark Litigation Canada -
Recognized as a Litigation Star, and ranked as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation – Canada
—Benchmark Litigation Canada -
Awarded an Arbor Award for longstanding volunteer service
—University of Toronto
Media Mentions
-
Osler News November 20, 2025
24 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation 2025
Osler is proud to announce that 24 of our lawyers are recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation 2025. This prestigious publication...
Read more -
Osler News August 14, 2025
Four Osler partners recognized in Benchmark Canada’s ‘Top 100 Women in Litigation’ in 2025
Osler congratulates National Co-Chair Maureen Killoran, KC, and partners Mary Buttery, KC, Laura Fric and Teresa Tomchak on their recognition...
Read more -
Osler News May 2, 2025
Osler recognized for outstanding bench strength in the 2025 Benchmark Litigation Canada Guide
Osler is proud to announce that 31 of our lawyers have been recognized in the 2025 edition of the Benchmark Litigation Canada Guide, Benchmark’s...
Read more -
Osler News August 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...
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Class Actions Advocacy 2024 – The Advocates’ Society
Co-Chair, November 7, 2024
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
