Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- Osgoode Hall Law School (1997) LLB
- University of Western Ontario (1993) MA (Critical Theory)
- University of Western Ontario (1991) BA (Philosophy and Economics)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Nina Bombier
"Nina is an exceptionally bright lawyer who represents her clients with great integrity. She is innovative and creative." — Chambers Canada
Nina's broad litigation practice encompasses commercial litigation, professional negligence and regulatory matters, environmental litigation, insurance litigation and public law. She has extensive trial experience litigating commercial and regulatory cases, in addition to many medical malpractice actions. She has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. Nina appears regularly before administrative tribunals and boards, both as a prosecutor and as defence counsel on behalf of professional members.
Nina joined Lenczner Slaght in 1999 after clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has taught trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School, as well as the Intensive Trial Advocacy Course for practising lawyers. She regularly speaks at continuing legal education conferences and has written articles on a diverse range of topics, from health, pension and environmental law to professional regulation and civil litigation.
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Counsel for the insured applicant seeking coverage for a social engineering fraud under a computer fraud rider policy.
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General Electric Canada Co v Aviva Canada, Inc
Counsel for the insured in an application and appeal concerning insurer's duty to investigate and defend claims arising from the historical release of contamination pursuant to historical insurance policies.
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Gore v College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Counsel for the physician in an application for judicial review of the powers of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to observe physicians performing medical functions and to compel an interview.
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Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada v Canada (Attorney General)
Counsel to the Government of Canada in a matter concerning the entitlement of public service unions to pension surpluses of approximately $18 billion. Successful at trial, where the Court dismissed trust, fiduciary duty and Charter claims.
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407 ETR Concession Company v Ontario (Registrar of Motor Vehicles)
Counsel to the 407 ETR in a successful judicial review application, in which the 407 ETR sought an order compelling the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to comply with his statutory duties concerning validation of vehicle permits.
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Counsel to the intervenor Insurance Bureau of Canada in an important appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada concerning the scope of judicial review arising from a decision of the Licence Appeal Tribunal. The Court affirmed that a limited statutory right of appeal does not restrict the right to judicial review.
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Loblaw Companies Limited et al v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada et al
Counsel to the appellant, AIG Canada in a duty to defend and coverage matter related to opiate class proceedings. Decision brought important clarity to defence obligations for long-tail claims and on satisfaction of self-insured retentions.
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Counsel to the Attorney General of Ontario in an appeal regarding the constitutionality of legislation that capped public sector compensation increases. A decision which interprets the scope of the right to freedom of association under section 2(d) of the Charter.
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Counsel to an insurer in a D&O liability claim against an officer in the context of financial fraud.
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NORR Limited v Encon Group et al
Counsel to an architecture firm in a coverage dispute with its insurer regarding a large scale construction project.
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The Advocates' Society - Chair of the Personal Injury and Insurance Practice Group
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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Canadian Defence Lawyers Association
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Loblaw Companies Limited et al v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada et al
In Canada, numerous class proceedings have launched on behalf of governments and individuals against entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of opioids. These actions claim wrongful acts and damages that extend over 23 years, raising important legal questions for the insurers of these entities as to the extent of their obligation to defend the proceedings on behalf of their insureds.
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Variable Insurance Over a Class Period: Does a Substantive Problem have a Procedural Solution?
It is often said that the Class Proceedings Act, 1992 is a procedural statute, not a substantive statute. What that means in practice is unclear, given that different procedural rules can have an impact on substantive outcomes. However, even a narrow version of that claim—that the Class Proceedings Act does not grant the Court jurisdiction to create or extinguish substantive rights beyond what the Court could do in an individual claim—is very much up for debate. There are increasing examples of creative judges using provisions under the Class Proceedings Act to take steps that impact substantive rights in a manner that would be impossible in an individual claim. The Court’s recent decision in Cavanaugh v Grenville Christian College presents such an example.
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On September 3, 2021, the Ontario Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) released its decision in MDS Inc v Factory Mutual Insurance Company, which considered the proper interpretation of corrosion exclusions and resulting damage exceptions in standard-form property and casualty insurance policies.
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Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada released its long-awaited decision in the case of Moore v Sweet, and settled a troubling issue in the trusts and estates world: the case of the disappointed life insurance beneficiary.
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“Disappointed beneficiary” claims over life insurance proceeds have resulted in a complex body of case law combining elements of family law, trusts and insurance law.
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As regulatory investigations and litigation against corporate directors and officers become increasingly complex and extensive, insurance policies covering defence costs are all the more important. But how far does this coverage stretch? The recent decision of Liberty Silver v Liberty Insurance demonstrates the significant value these policies can provide in covering an early and proactive legal defence. The court rejected the Insurer’s narrow and technical interpretation of the insurance policy, and affirmed that legal costs incurred on behalf of senior officers and directors to respond to an Investigative Order by security regulators, even before any formal charges or accusations were laid, were covered.
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LCBO Loses Privacy Dispute over Wine Club Member Information
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario has lost a protracted dispute with the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) over its right to collect the personal information of wine club members in the recent case of Liquor Control Board of Ontario v. Vin De Garde Wine Club, 2015 ONSC 2537.
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Versa Fittings ruling underscores high bar to relieve insurer of duty to defend
The recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court in Versa Fittings v. Berkley Insurance Co. (2015 ONSC 1756) reinforces that a Rule 21 motion is an expedient way to secure a ruling on whether an insurers duty to defend has been triggered.
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The Court of Appeal recently released a decision that serves as a reminder to all counsel: never lose sight of who you act for.
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Lenczner Slaght Lawyers Recognized as Canada’s Leading Litigators
Following an in-depth peer review process across the legal profession, 21 Lenczner Slaght lawyers have been recognized in the 2024 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers guide for their extensive courtroom experience and subject-matter expertise.
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Lexpert’s Top 10 Business Decisions of 2023–2024
Lenczner Slaght was featured twice in Lexpert's Top 10 Business Decisions of 2023-24 for its involvement in Loblaw Companies Limited v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and Yatar v TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.
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Chambers Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Deep Bench of Expert Litigators
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to advance their position in the latest edition of the world-renowned directory.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized as the Best Lawyers in Canada
In the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, Lenczner Slaght is proud to receive 168 total rankings, with 45 of our expert litigators recognized for their expertise across 25 practice areas.
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The 2024 Lexpert Directory Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence
Lenczner Slaght’s litigators continue to be recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Lexpert Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Strength
An increasing number of our expert litigators continue to be recognized as the foremost lawyers in their fields by peers and senior members of the legal profession.
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Lenczner Slaght Stands Out as a Top-Tier Litigation Firm in Legal 500 Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm is once again recognized as a “litigation powerhouse” according to Legal 500 Canada.
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Chambers Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght as a Top-Tier Litigation Firm
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to be recognized by world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized as Best Lawyers in Canada
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 41 of our expert litigators are recognized for their expertise across 24 practice areas. The following lawyers have also been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for receiving the highest overall peer-feedback in their practice areas in Toronto.
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Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence Recognized in 2023 Lexpert Directory
Following comprehensive peer review surveys and interviews with senior members in the legal profession, the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 31 of the firm’s expert litigators for their experience, knowledge, and precision, with 108 rankings spanning 17 practice areas.
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Mark Veneziano and Nina Bombier were invited to share their expertise at The Advocates' Society's acclaimed annual workshop, "Do a Trial!". This program offered a unique opportunity for lawyers to test their trial skills in a real courtroom before a judge. Mark and Nina guided participants on developing trial strategy, preparing and examining witnesses, and delivering persuasive opening and closing statements.
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Perspectives on Jury Trials Across Canada
Nina Bombier chaired The Advocates' Society's program titled Perspectives on Jury Trials Across Canada. Nina shared her expertise on successful strategies and what to expect from jury trials.
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Nina Bombier was invited to share her expertise at The Advocates' Society's program Tricks for the Trade, an annual conference for the personal injury bar. Nina provided key updates on the panel "West v. Knowles: The Standard of Proof for Past and Future Hypothetical Events".
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Business, Interrupted: Insurance Litigation & COVID-19
Nina Bombier was Chair of The Advocates' Society program Business, Interrupted: Insurance Litigation & COVID-19. Nina led a discussion on the latest developments with business interruption disputes across Canada.
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Nina Bombier shared her expertise at The Advocates' Society's program titled Privilege for Litigators. In this popular program, leading practitioners and judges discussed strategic considerations and best practices, and provided practical advice on this challenging area of the law.
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Nina Bombier shared her expertise at the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association's "Full Day Masterclass". Nina presented on the panel Direct Examinations.
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Insurance Coverage Disputes and Litigation
Nina Bombier shared her expertise at OsgoodePD's program Insurance Coverage Disputes and Litigation. Nina discussed "Ethical and Professional Issues For Counsel in Insurance Disputes".
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Understanding and Dealing with the Litigation Process
Nina Bombier shared her expertise at OsgoodePD's certificate program in Clinical Risk, Negligence & Claims Management in Healthcare. Nina presented on the module "Understanding and Dealing with the Litigation Process".
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Insurance Litigation and Disputes – A Look at the COVID-19 Fallout
Nina Bombier shared her expertise on Canadian Lawyer's webinar "Insurance Litigation and Disputes – A Look at the COVID-19 Fallout." The panel examined what types of actions are likely to move forward, potential liability exposures, and what sectors are most likely to be impacted.
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Privilege: A Litigator's Guide
Nina Bombier spoke at The Advocates' Society's program "Privilege: A Litigator's Guide". She shared her expertise on the panel Waiver of Privilege.
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2014-2025)
Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Insurance, Medical Negligence, Product Liability
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2022)
Toronto "Lawyer of the Year" in Health Care Law
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2024)
Toronto "Lawyer of the Year" in Health Care Law
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2014-2024)
Litigation - Commercial Insurance, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Product Liability, Medical Negligence, Professional Liability
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Chambers Canada (2024-2025)
Insurance: Dispute Resolution (Nationwide)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Health Sciences Lawyers (2021)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2016, 2018-2024)
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The Legal 500 Canada (2019, 2021-2025)
Insurance (Leading Partner)