Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP possesses an impressively well-rounded insurance practice that is well positioned to handle high-level litigation as well as transactional and regulatory matters. A popular choice for major domestic and international insurers and reinsurers, the group is frequently involved in the most headline-grabbing matters to hit the market. Among the names to note, Calgary-based David Tupper is highly regarded for contentious insurance work; he is representing a nuclear power mutual insurance company in a C$50m dispute with its reinsurer. Montreal-based Matthew Liben is also recommended for insurance litigation. On the regulatory side, Toronto-based department co-head Paul Belanger is sought after for his broad financial services expertise. Other key names on the non-contentious front include financial regulation specialist Bonny Murray as well as transactional-focused partners Jake Gilbert and Michael Elder – all operate from Toronto.
Insurance in Canada
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Practice head(s):
David Tupper; Paul Belanger
Other key lawyers:
Jake Gilbert; Bonny Murray; Matthew Liben; Michael Elder
Key clients
Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty
Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada
Canada Life Assurance Company
Chubb, Temple Insurance Company
Ensign Energy Services
Definity Financial Corp (formerly Economical Mutual Insurance Company)
Green Rise Foods
Hub International
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Intact Financial Corporation
Lloyd’s Underwriters and Lloyd’s Canada
Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada
Sagen MI (formerly Genworth MI Canada)
Standard Life
Starstone Underwriting
Zurich Insurance Company
Work highlights
- Advised Lloyd’s Underwriters, Lloyd’s Canada and Marc Lipman, in his capacity as Attorney in Fact for Lloyd’s Underwriters, on a series of high-profile class action matters relating to the issue of insurance coverage for business interruption losses sustained as a result of Covid-19.
- Advised HUB Financial on its acquisition of the BridgeForce companies, bringing together two of the largest independent managing general agents in Canada.
- Advised Definity Financial (formerly, Economical Mutual Insurance Company) on the first property and casualty demutualization in Canada.
Clyde & Co LLP
In a significant coup, Clyde & Co LLP hired five new partners over the past year, including a quartet of partners from McLennan Ross LLP (Don Dear KC, Alexis Moulton, Jeff Weidman and Cynthia Aoki) to launch its new Calgary office. Additionally, Charles Foucreault joined in Montreal from Norton Rose Fulbright. The insurance group now draws on 28 partners from the firm’s four platforms in key provinces across Canada and brings to bear growing capability in regulatory matters, alongside its signature strength in insurance litigation. In Toronto, John Nicholl is highly regarded for liability defence and coverage advice and litigation. In Montreal, global senior partner Carolena Gordon and class actions specialist Jo-Anne Demers are recommended. In Calgary, Jeff Weidman specializes in the defence of personal lines and commercial insurance disputes. In Vancouver, Don Smith is noted for construction and product liability litigation.
Practice head(s):
Carolena Gordon; Jo-Anne Demers; John Nicholl; Jeff Weidman; Don Smith
Other key lawyers:
Robert Emblem; Don Dear KC; Alexis Moulton; Jeff Weidman; Cynthia Aoki; Charles Foucreault
Testimonials
‘Clyde & Co Alberta is a close team. There is excellent collaboration and when we need something done, we can trust that there is appropriate staffing and delegation of tasks without the client having to be concerned about micromanaging or spelling things out.’
‘Cynthia Aoki is professional, reliable, and dedicated to her work for her clients. She is quick to respond to emails and attentive in setting out clearly what her client needs to know.’
‘Clyde & Co is truly an international firm which allows global clients to manage their vendors in an efficient manner while not compromising on the caliber of service.’
Key clients
Chubb Insurance Company of Canada
Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
Lloyd’s Underwriters
Axis Insurance Company
Work highlights
- Advised an international insurance company in an C$800bn class action regarding damages resulting from the opioid crisis and the access to the defence information in the insurance industry.
- Advised a North American insurance company insuring multiple school boards in a C$153m class action, in which the parents of students sought the reimbursement of allegedly illegal school fees and expenses.
- Advised a third excess insurer in a $60m class action instituted in Toronto involving one of Canada’s most well-known families and corporations regarding coverage considerations, capacities as trustees and other issues.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
A destination practice for regulatory and corporate insurance work, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s formidable transactional expertise ensures that it is a regular fixture on high-profile insurance M&A. In a recent example of its strength in this area, Toronto-based sector expert Stuart Carruthers advised Definity Financial Corporation on its acquisition of a majority stake in McDougall Insurance, in a deal that saw Definity increase its ownership in the company from approximately 25% to 75%. Toronto’s Meaghan Obee Tower is also recommended for transactional and regulatory insurance. On the contentious side, Montreal-based Éric Azran is representing Vigi Santé, and its insurer Aviva, in a class action stemming from Covid-19 concerning long-term care facilities. The group also draws on the insurance litigation experience of Montreal-based Pierre-Paul Daunais, Toronto-based Alan D’Silva, and Calgary-based Michael Mestinsek. Laurent Fortier recently retired.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Carruthers; Pierre-Paul Daunais; Éric Azran; Alan D’Silva; Michael Mestinsek
Other key lawyers:
Meaghan Obee Tower
Key clients
Definity Insurance (formerly Economical Mutual Insurance)
Desjardins Financial Group
People Corporation
Navacord Corp
Sagicor Financial Corporation
The Empire Life Insurance Company
Zurich Insurance Group
At-Bay Insurance
Reinsurance Group of America Canada
Aviva Canada Group
AXA XL
Lloyd’s Canada and Lloyd’s Underwriters
Veolia Water Technologies
Aviva Canada
IBI Group Architects (Canada)
United States Aviation Underwriters
Industrial Alliance Insurance
PTZ Insurance Brokers
Pethealth Services
Bondfield Construction Company
Torys
‘A key firm for expert insurance counsel’, Torys is primarily recognized for its dominant position in transactional and regulatory insurance. That being said, the team also benefits from its ability to draw on the wider firm’s deep bench of dispute resolution specialists to resource complex contentious cases. Blair Keefe is widely considered as a leader in financial services regulation, including insurance; he acted as insurance regulatory counsel to Intact Financial on its £7.2bn acquisition, together with Tryg, of RSA Insurance Group. Other key regulatory and transactional names include Jill McCutcheon; senior counsel Kelly Morris; and talented counsel Melissa Prado. On the litigation side, Linda Plumpton is representing Manulife in an application discussing the proper interpretation of the ‘tax-exempt’ status of a subset of its universal life insurance contracts.
Other key lawyers:
Kelly Morris; Melissa Prado; Eli Monas; Linda Plumpton; David Outerbridge
Testimonials
‘The team is closely connected to regulators and sees what is on the regulatory horizon. It fields a strong collaborative group of regulatory counsel and litigators, who all have significant experience in the field. A key firm for expert insurance counsel, whether you are dealing with regulation or litigation.’
‘I worked with David Outerbridge and Blair Keefe and both are outstanding, approachable and have the ability to make complex issues simple. They are both incredibly service-oriented. David in particular has some of the best written advocacy skills.’
Key clients
Sun Life Financial
Intact Financial Corporation
Covéa Société de Groupe d’Assurance Mutuelle
Vienna Insurance Group
Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services
Manulife
Gore Mutual Insurance Company
CPP Investments and Wilton Re
Work highlights
- Advised Sun Life on the sale of its sponsored markets business to Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company.
- Represented Manulife in an application before the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench over the proper interpretation of the ‘tax-exempt’ status of a subset of its universal life insurance contracts.
- Represented Vienna Insurance Group in a multi-contractual dispute between two reinsurers in the context of a global insurance program, which will result in the first pronouncement by a Canadian court on the extent of a reinsurer’s duty to follow settlements for business interruption losses under Canadian law.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s thriving insurance litigation group handles the full range of insurance defence claims, with a focus on national insurance programs for domestic and international insurers. The team also impresses with its public sector expertise, where it routinely acts as defence counsel to municipalities, school boards and hospitals. Toronto-based Rebecca Bush leads the insurance and tort liability group nationally and is recommended for her record in public authority litigation and tort litigation for large institutional clients. The group also includes Ottawa-based Larry Elliot, who focuses on civil litigation; Toronto-based Kevin McGivney, who frequently defends police services and municipalities; transactional and regulatory insurance specialist Donna Spagnolo; and specialized disputes head Graham Walker.
Practice head(s):
Rebecca Bush; Donna Spagnolo; Graham Walker
Other key lawyers:
Larry Elliot; Kevin McGivney; Patrick Heinsen
Key clients
Lloyds, including but not limited to the following syndicates: Aegis, Argo, Amlin, AXA XL, C.V. Starr, Beazley, Kiln, Brit Syndicate, QBE, Atrium, Pembrooke, Creechurch, Markel International, Ironshore, Apollo, Tokio Marine, Riverstone, Sompo and Acappella
City of Toronto
Chubb / ACE
Travelers
Hospital Insurance Reciprocal of Canada
Desjardins (State Farm, the Personal, Certas)
Cigna
Encon
The Cooperators
Sun Life
Trisura
Economical Insurance
Ecclesiastical
Work highlights
- Advised certain underwriters at Lloyd’s in an action relating to a large omnibus national class proceeding against 16 Canadian insurance companies alleging they breached their respective contracts with business owners, and other duties, by refusing to pay business interruption claims caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Retained by the City of Ottawa to advise on legal options to take steps to bring an end to the Freedom Convoy occupation in the City.
- Defended the City of Toronto and the Toronto Police Services Board in a dozen lawsuits arising from the Toronto Raptors parade and celebration at Nathan Phillips Square on June 17, 2019.
Fasken
Fasken’s practice is structured into two distinct groups dealing with transactional and regulatory insurance work, and insurance litigation, respectively. The firm is particularly well positioned in the former sphere, where Toronto-based financial services specialist Koker Christensen is highly regarded for his activity in M&A, reinsurance transactions and regulatory matters. Other recommended non-contentious insurance partners include Montreal-based Nicolas Faucher. On the contentious front, Michael Parrish is held up as ‘extremely detail-oriented and very tenacious’, while Jonathan Lim ‘has a strong passion for insurance defence’ — both are in Vancouver. Kathleen Butterfield recently left to join Air Canada.
Practice head(s):
Koker Christensen; Nicolas Faucher; Jonathan Lim
Other key lawyers:
Sylvie Bourdeau; Craig Bellefontaine
Testimonials
‘Michael Parrish is a no-nonsense litigator with an exceptional knowledge of the law and the nuances of the insurance industry — including both policy terms and claims procedures. it is rare to find a lawyer who is top-notch at the litigation part of the project and who understands policy mechanics.’
‘Michael Parrish is extremely detail-oriented and very tenacious.’
‘The team we work with specializes in, among other areas of the law, group STD/LTD litigation. They are a detail-oriented and strong insurance defence group.’
‘We work primarily with Jonathan Lim and his associate Gabriella Schauber. They have a strong passion for insurance defence. They are excellent researchers. I have every confidence in them representing our company.’
Key clients
Aviva
Green Shield Canada
Manulife
Foresters Financial
Arthur J Gallagher & Co
Allianz Global Assistance
Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada
Lloyd’s Underwriters
Cam Chain Company
FortisBC Energy
Industrial Alliance Auto and Home Insurance
Employers Insurance Company of Wausau
Marsh Canada
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Rogers Insurance (now Acera Insurance Services)
Work highlights
- Advising Rogers Insurance, a national insurance brokerage, on its merger with fellow insurer CapriCMW to form Acera Insurance Services.
- Acting for most life and disability carriers in the country, including: Sun Life, Manulife, Empire Life, Equitable Life, Canada Life / Great-West Life / London Life and others.
- Advising Intact Insurance Company, Novex Insurance Company and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada on their defence of a series of proposed class actions and individual actions across the country relating to business interruption insurance arising out of Covid-19 closures.
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault’s insurance practice is well-weighted between contentious and non-contentious work, with extensive experience in regulatory matters, corporate transactions, demutualizations, securities and dispute resolution. The group counts a broad range of industry participants among its clients, including insurers, reinsurers, brokerages, Insurtech companies and insured corporations, and is frequently involved in complex, multi-jurisdictional mandates. Regulatory and transactional insurance specialist Nancy Carroll ‘knows what is important to regulators’ and co-heads the group together with Hartley Lefton, who also specializes in transactional, commercial, governance and regulatory insurance work — both are based in Toronto. On the contentious side, insurance litigators William Scott and Aidan Cameron are recommended in Toronto and Vancouver, respectively. Hovsep Afarian recently joined Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP.
Practice head(s):
Nancy Carroll; Hartley Lefton
Other key lawyers:
William Scott; Aidan Cameron; Sonia Struthers
Testimonials
‘The firm is a leader in the financial services sector and one of the few go-to firms for insurance regulation/legislation.’
‘Nancy Carroll is the only member of the firm I work with. She is one of the top legal minds for financial sector law in Canada and has been of enormous assistance to us.’
‘McCarthy Tétrault has the expertise and specialists we need to handle our diverse business needs. From standard contract law, to M&A, to insurance, and other complex legal matters, it was able to help us navigate. The work is done quickly and within billable hour estimates.’
‘We highlight its experience and expertise in reinsurance. It provides advice you can rely on.’
‘Nancy Carroll is very knowledgeable and adept at speaking to regulators in their language. She knows what is important to regulators and what is not. On those rare occasions that issues can’t be resolved through discussion/negotiation, she has been able to call upon her litigation partners.’
‘Nancy Carroll is practical and responsive and always looking for new ways to add value.’
Key clients
Aon Canada Inc; Brown & Brown
Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc; Brown & Brown; Aon Canada
iA Financial Group
Siemens Canada
Sunwing Travel Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
True Wind Capital, Novacap
Vale Canada
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
The increasingly prominent insurance practice at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP added a string of new clients over the past year, including multinational names such as Sompo Japan Insurance, Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services and Generali Global Assistance. The group focuses on non-contentious insurance matters, with strong recent experience in incorporations, policy issues, corporate transactions and regulatory compliance, among other areas. The department is led jointly by Toronto-based insurance and reinsurance specialists Gordon Goodman and Rick Da Costa.
Practice head(s):
Gordon Goodman; Rick Da Costa
Key clients
Zurich Insurance Company
Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company
Munich Re Digital Partners US Holdings Corporation
AXA XL
Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario
Amtrust Management Services
MAX Insurance
Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
CNA Canada
Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company
Canadian Premier General Insurance Company
Assumption Mutual Life Insurance Company
Homesteaders Life Company
Extend
Valeyo
Catlin Underwriting Agencies
Convex Re
Complex Risk and Insurance Associates
Dealer Loyalty Protection
Sompo Japan Insurance
Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services
Generali Global Assistance
Lydia.ai
Platform Insurance Management
Insurance Brokers Association of Durham Region
SCM Insurance Services GP
Dentons
Dentons’ national insurance practice remains in growth mode. Following the hire of a large team from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP in February 2022, the practice was further enhanced in December 2022 with the hire of Montreal-based insurance specialist Nathalie Durocher, who has a focus on professional liability and regulatory compliance. The arrival of Durocher, who joins from a lawyers collective, provides the group with a valuable Quebec platform. The national department continues to be led from Toronto by corporate and regulatory insurance expert Laurie LaPalme and insurance litigator Douglas Stewart.
Practice head(s):
Laurie LaPalme; Douglas Stewart
Other key lawyers:
Arthur Hamilton; Derek Levinsky; Nathalie Durocher; Marisa Coggin
Key clients
AXA XL Insurance
Arch Insurance Canada
Wawanesa Life Insurance Company
Aviva Canada
AIG
Lloyds of London
NFP Canada Corp
Greenstone
Accelerant Holdings
Lockton
Work highlights
- Advising multiple insurance carriers in Canada on compliance with the new requirements of the French Language Charter under Bill 96.
- Advising Till Capital on the sale of Omega Insurance Holdings and its two wholly owned subsidiaries (Omega General Insurance Company and Focus Group) to Accelerant Holdings.
- Representing Arch Insurance in all actions brought against it relating to the cancellation of educational tours due to the global pandemic.
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG’s multidisciplinary insurance practice acts for a broad mix of industry clients — including insurers, other financial institutions, brokers and agents — on regulatory matters, corporate transactions and litigation. Toronto-based Belinda Bain heads the national insurance and professional liability group and is noted for contentious work. The team additionally draws on Calgary-based litigator Paul Stein KC. Michael Garellek departed in November 2022. Partner Filomena Frisina retired from the firm in October 2023.
Practice head(s):
Belinda Bain
Other key lawyers:
Paul Stein KC; Parna Sabet-Stephenson
Testimonials
‘Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge in insurance law. My go-to resource when needed. The team provides excellent assessments, recommendations, and resolutions to matters.’
Key clients
Sodexo Canada, HDI Global SE Canada Branch
Siemens Canada
A H Stucco, Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Keyera Corporation, QBE Services
Dresser-Rand Canada Inc. Siemens D-R Holdings
Billyard Insurance Group
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s
Ford
Volante
Ally
Lenczner Slaght
As a specialist litigation boutique, Lenczner Slaght packs a punch in contentious insurance work, where it handles a significant volume of policy, coverage and defence disputes. Frequently involved in challenging, high-profile cases, where it can bring its unique dispute resolution platform to bear, the group’s experience covers class action defence, D&O, product liability, and environmental and property damage claims, among other areas. Group head Nina Bombier is particularly sought after for insurance coverage disputes. Mark Veneziano is also noted for insurance litigation.
Practice head(s):
Nina Bombier
Other key lawyers:
Mark Veneziano
Key clients
Law Society of Ontario
AIG Insurance Company of Canada
ACE INA Insurance Company of Canada (Chubb)
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Work highlights
- Representing the Law Society of Ontario in an action for coverage and indemnification under liability policies issued to it by the defendant insurers (Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company and Catlin Canada).
- Representing AIG in a duty to defend and coverage application related to opiate class proceedings.
- Representing ACE/Chubb in an action commenced by XL Insurance Company claiming for defence and coverage arising from various environmental professional proceedings.