Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Western Ontario (1994) LLB
- University of Toronto (1989) BSc (Psychology)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Risa M. Kirshblum
"She is persistent, tireless and an excellent trial strategist." — Chambers Canada
Balancing skillful strategy with seasoned counsel, Risa represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of litigation matters. A significant portion of her practice is focused on professional liability and employment. She has acted as prosecutor, defence counsel and independent legal counsel in the administrative law context.
Risa regularly provides real-time risk management advice to both employers and employees on workplace issues. In the employment area, she has acted extensively in cases of discrimination, harassment and other human rights workplace issues as well as all issues arising from termination of employment. She is also experienced in dealing with the legal aspects of unfair competition and solicitation, theft of corporate opportunities and notice requirements when multiple employees are leaving simultaneously.
Risa frequently presents in continuing legal education programs for organizations such as the Law Society of Upper Canada and The Advocates' Society. She has also presented in continuing education programs for a variety of medical organizations.
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Huma v Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre (Trillium Health Partners)
Successful in enforcing a settlement agreement against multiple Plaintiffs.
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Counsel to a physician in a case involving a perforated bowel during a hysterectomy. The case was dismissed on consent without costs after two weeks of trial
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Counsel to the defendant physician in a jury trial regarding the quantum of damages in a medical negligence relating to the management of shoulder dystocia.
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RBC Dominion Securities Inc v Merrill Lynch Canada Inc
Counsel to RBC on injunction, trial, appeal and at the Supreme Court of Canada in respect of an action against departing investment advisors for a competitor.
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IMP Group Ltd v Skyservice Business Aviation Inc
Counsel to a group of employees in a dispute with their former employer in relation to their resignations and subsequent employment with another company.
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McCarthy v Canadian Red Cross Society
Counsel to the Trustee of the settlement fund created following the settlement of a class action brought against the Red Cross Society surrounding tainted blood.
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Counsel to the appellants in an appeal from a trial decision in which the trial judge refused to deduct statutory severance under the Employment Standards Act from an award of damages for wrongful dismissal. The appellant was successful in overturning this aspect of the judge's decision, and this became a leading case on this issue.
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The Advocates' Society
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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Who’s to Blame? Apportioning Liability in Civil Jury Trials
When one person negligently causes an accident, the law is clear about their responsibility. But when negligence acts on the part of a number of different parties combine to create a single accident, how should responsibility for that accident be apportioned between them? This was recently addressed by the Ontario Court of Appeal in its recent decision in Parent v Janandee Management Inc.
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The Complexities of Summary Judgment under Simplified Procedure
Rule 76 of the Rules of Civil Procedure provides a set of simplified rules for use in smaller and, in theory, less complicated matters. However, exactly how those rules apply in certain contexts is not always apparent. In Singh v Concept Plastics Limited, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently addressed the challenges of summary judgment motions in the context of the simplified rules.
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Chambers Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to advance their position in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Ranked Among Best Lawyers in Canada
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 37 of our expert litigators are recognized for their expertise across 25 practice areas.
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Lexpert Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Leading Health Sciences Expertise
The inaugural issue of Lexpert’s Special Edition on Canada's Leading Health Sciences Lawyers recognizes 11 Lenczner Slaght lawyers for their extensive industry experience. The rankings are also published in the June issue of the Globe & Mail’s Report on Business.
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The 2021 Lexpert Directory Recognizes 30 Lenczner Slaght Lawyers
An increasing number of our expert litigators are recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Lenczner Slaght Recognized as a Top-Tier Litigation Firm by Chambers Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to be recognized by world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Expertise
Lenczner Slaght is proud to announce that 33 of our expert litigators are recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2021. Our lawyers received a total of 128 rankings, up from 100 in 2020.
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Lexpert Highlights Lenczner Slaght’s Professional Excellence
Lenczner Slaght’s litigators continue to be recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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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 advance their position in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers Canada, with nine new rankings.
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght with 100 Rankings
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 28 Lenczner Slaght lawyers earned a total of 100 rankings, up from 86 in 2019.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized for their Cross-Border Expertise
Seven Lenczner Slaght lawyers are ranked as leaders by peers and senior members of the legal profession for their cross-border experience.
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42nd Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop
Risa M. Kirshblum and Shara N. Roy were invited to Osgoode Professional Development's 42nd Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop as expert faculty.
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Preparation Series: Examination-in-Chief
Risa M. Kirshblum is co-chairing The Advocates' Society program Preparation Series: Examination-in-Chief. The program will provide insights into how to properly and thoroughly prepare yourself and your witnesses to deliver credible evidence at trial, with a special focus on remote preparation.
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Cross-Examination Skills Workshop
Risa M. Kirshblum was an instructor at The Advocates' Society's Cross-Examination Skills Workshop. The workshop focused on how to conduct effective cross-examinations in a virtual setting.
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Clinical Negligence, Liability Claims and Litigation
Risa Kirshblum shared her expertise at OsgoodePD's certificate program in Clinical Risk, Negligence & Claims Management in Healthcare. Risa presented on the module "Clinical Negligence, Liability Claims and Litigation".
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40th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop
Risa Kirshblum, Monique Jilesen, Shara Roy, and Dena Varah taught at Osgoode Professional Development's 40th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop on July 7-13, 2019.
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Risa Kirshblum shared her litigation expertise at The Advocates' Society's intensive two-day workshop Summer Trial Advocacy College. The workshop tests and refines your skills in case analysis, opening statements and closing arguments, examination-in-chief and cross examination.
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39th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop
Monique Jilesen, Risa Kirshblum, Shara Roy, and Dena Varah taught at Osgoode Professional Development's 39th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop on July 8-14, 2018.
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Pleadings Should Be Useful and Not Pro Forma
Risa Kirshblum spoke at the Law Society of Ontario's Best Practices in Medical Malpractice Litigation day on the "Pleadings Should Be Useful and Not Pro Forma " panel.
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Risa Kirshblum spoke at The Advocates' Society's "Cost Submissions Advocacy" program. This program taught how one can maximize cost recovery for clients after a motion or trial.
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Matthew Sammon and Risa Kirshblum spoke at the 2018 National Conference & World Summit. This panel of employment litigators and experienced in-house counsel shared practical tips on topics including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, confidentiality obligations, employees duties’ to former employers and steps to respond to and manage improper departures.
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2014-2022)
Health Care Law, Medical Negligence, Professional Liability (2017)
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2018)
Toronto "Lawyer of the Year" in Medical Negligence
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2020)
Toronto "Lawyer of the Year" in Health Care Law
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2012-2021)
Medical Negligence (Most Frequently Recommended), Professional Liability (Consistently Recommended)
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Chambers Canada (2020-2022)
Healthcare: Contentious (Nationwide – Canada)
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada (2018-2019)
Dispute Resolution
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Health Sciences Lawyers (2021)