We're* leaders in defending professional liability matters, representing clients in diverse fields across a broad landscape of civil and regulatory matters. We’ve defended professionals of all disciplines before all levels of court across the country, including in high profile class actions, hotly contested trials, and appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada. But our experience and insights aren’t just limited to the defence side: we also have experience prosecuting professional disciplinary cases for many regulators. We're not just experienced; we're professional liability§ groundbreakers, with our lawyers having acted in some of the leading cases in the area. We’ve done hundreds of trials, appeals, and administrative hearings on behalf of professionals, professional firms, regulators and partnerships of all kinds. This experience brings unmatched relevance to our strategic perspectives and practical advice, cementing us as liability and regulation pros‡ who understand the bigger picture. Beyond civil lawsuits, professionals need a sense of the broader landscape. That’s what we offer. Legal proceedings can have a profound impact on professionals’ careers. The impact of professional liability issues is equally significant for governing bodies, as they strive to balance the autonomy of the professions they serve with demands from government and the public for greater accountability, oversight, and discipline. Within this challenging context, we have the depth of experience to advise key stakeholders in all of Canada's professions..

Lenczner Slaght has one of the leading professional liability practices in Canada, representing clients in diverse fields across a broad landscape of regulatory, civil and quasi-criminal matters.

We defend professionals before disciplinary and regulatory tribunals and in all levels of the courts across the country. We also prosecute professional disciplinary cases for many regulatory colleges and governing bodies. In addition, we act as general counsel to several of those bodies, providing strategic advice, policy recommendations and counsel on drafting regulatory frameworks with regard to professional registration, fitness to practise, the handling of complaints and discipline.

Our Professional Clients

Lenczner Slaght's clients in the professional liability arena include a number of Ontario's regulated health profession colleges, along with several provincial law societies and various other bodies.

Our professional liability experience covers includes a wide range of disciplines, including:

• accountants/auditors
• architects
• dentists
• engineers
• lawyers
• actuaries
• investment advisors
• massage therapists
• nurses and nurse practitioners
• opticians
• physicians and surgeons
• psychologists

Through our frequent role as general counsel we have gained unique insight into the current and emerging issues facing Canada's professions. This first-hand knowledge brings unmatched relevance to our strategic perspectives and practical advice.

The Bigger Picture

The working environment is changing dramatically for professionals and their governing bodies across the country. As public scrutiny of self-regulating professions grows more intense, governmental oversight is evolving in step. For many professionals, the regulatory regime in which they practise – and the potential consequences of disciplinary or other proceedings – can have a profound impact on their careers.

The impact of professional liability issues is equally significant for governing bodies, as they strive to balance the autonomy of the professions they serve with demands from government and the public for greater accountability, oversight and discipline.

Within this context, Lenczner Slaght is uniquely positioned to advise key stakeholders in all of Canada's professions. We work every day on the front lines of professional regulation and liability – in the boardroom, in the hearing room and, when necessary, in the courtroom.