Best-in-class* lawyers are essential for companies facing class actions. That’s why some of the world’s leading companies turn to us when they face class proceedings in Canada. We have nationally ranked litigators with knowledge and experience in arguing of class actions, from certification through trials. While we have the experience to contest trials, our experience and reputation has given us success in defeating or narrowing actions at the earliest stages, to the benefit of our clients. We offer extensive class action§ expertise across the spectrum of proceedings and for clients in any industry: it’s what has earned us our clients’ trust. Our lawyers have acted in virtually every type of class action, including securities cases, price-fixing conspiracy class actions, product liability matters, professional negligence cases, and employment matters. We have has defended many of Canada's most closely-watched class action lawsuits over the past three decades. It’s how we provide such a depth of experience‡ : as one of the only firms in Canada to have repeatedly litigated on behalf of defendants at the trial level, we provide our clients the confidence to know their case is in good hands. That experience also means our lawyers have the judgment to think creatively, pursuing novel strategies to benefit our clients’ interests. Together, these traits have led to Lenczner Slaght’s reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced firms in defending class actions..

Our class actions practice is a recognized Canadian leader in defending complex class actions. Class action litigation can be expensive and time-consuming for businesses, creating significant reputational and financial risks. Our team provides the depth of advocacy experience and judgment, mastery of class actions procedure, and subject-matter expertise needed to successfully conclude class actions.

Comprehensive Expertise

Our team has litigated all kinds of class actions, including:

• Professional negligence claims
• Employment cases
• Securities cases
• Privacy cases
• Competition cases  
• Consumer protection claims
• Product liability cases

Our class action clients include major financial institutions, manufacturers, technology companies, professional services firms, multinational retailers, and life sciences organizations. We routinely call on other expert litigators at Lenczner Slaght, including those specialized in the life sciences, health law, professional services, and technology industries to best serve our clients’ needs.

National and International Reach

While we are based in Toronto, our class actions practice has national reach. Our team has litigated class actions across the country, including in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Federal Courts.

Many of our partners are called to the bar in multiple jurisdictions where we litigate most, including British Columbia. We also regularly partner with firms in Quebec to provide truly national coverage for our clients’ class action cases.

We routinely work with lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere on multi-jurisdictional cases. We understand that Canadian class actions are often just one part of a complex problem, and we work collaboratively and strategically with our partners to resolve those problems.

Defeating Claims Early

We know that the best result is often a quick resolution. We work closely with our clients to identify strategies for ending cases as early as possible, including at or before certification. We’ve successfully opposed or substantially limited certification in numerous high-profile cases. In other cases, we’ve leveraged our strong pre-certification position to negotiate favourable resolutions for our clients at an early stage.

Trial Experience

What sets us apart is not just our class actions experience and subject-matter expertise: it’s our trial experience. Lenczner Slaght lawyers take cases to trial. When our clients face the prospect of a long and complex trial, they have confidence that our team has the resources and courtroom experience necessary to successfully defend their case.