Over recent years Dentons has positioned itself as a key contender for insurance work in Canada, leveraging its broad national platform and global network to bring ‘deep understanding of complex regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions’. On the non-contentious side, Toronto-based department head Laurie LaPalme is highly regarded for her expertise in corporate and regulatory matters. The corporate and regulatory insurance practice also includes Montreal-based Nathalie Durocher, who additionally advises on insurance litigation; Toronto-based next-generation partner Marisa Coggin; and talented senior associate Taschina Ashmeade. Group co-head Douglas Stewart specializes in insurance disputes, with a particular focus on professional liability.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘It demonstrates exceptional technical competence in insurance regulatory law. I rely on its deep understanding of complex regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. It is exceptionally well-plugged in with current regulations and legal matters affecting insurers, brokerages and MGAs.’
- ‘The team has a unique approach in that it embeds the litigation team as part of the core insurance practice. This approach allows for a robust assessment of issues and provides a great client experience.’
- ‘The Dentons insurance team is by far the most seasoned and has extensive expertise and excellent contacts with the regulators. Nathalie Durocher and her Quebec team in particular is the best in the country, especially when it comes to regulatory knowledge, distribution and French capabilities.’
- 'Deep knowledge of the regulatory environment, legal ramifications of product coverages, required compliant wordings for Terms and Conditions, and structuring of inter-company brokering, claims and product administration agreements.'
- 'I appreciated the firm's global capabilities, which were important for a recent deal we did, and their insurance industry expertise was also a critical factor in our selecting them for this recent work.'
- ‘It has extensive knowledge in this area of expertise. For us specifically, its in-depth experience on the Canadian P&C Insurance industry is key to helping us navigate regulatory inquiries and relationships. Their versatile knowledge also helps using the team as a sounding board for key business plan changes.’
Key clients
- Lloyd’s Canada Fenchurch General Insurance Company Arch Insurance Canada AON South Western Insurance Group AIG Insurance Company of Canada Southampton Financial Chubb Insurance Company of Canada Assicurazioni Generali, Europ Assistance
Work highlights
Acted for Southampton Financial on its acquisition of all of the shares in the capital of Onlia Agency, a digital provider of insurance products in Ontario.
Represented the Ontario School Board Insurance Exchange in a dispute that arose when two individual subscribers terminated their membership as subscribers in the reciprocal.
Advised Lloyd’s and Accelerant on matters arising from the disclosure of fraud at TruStar.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Taschina Ashmeade
Practice head
Laurie LaPalme; Douglas Stewart
Other key lawyers
Nathalie Durocher; Arthur Hamilton; Marisa Coggin; Taschina Ashmeade; Derek Levinsky; Chloe Snider; Laurie Livingstone; Camila Maldi