Best Lawyers in Canada for Medical Negligence
Jan’s practice focuses on professional negligence matters with a particular interest in medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. Jan is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA). She is involved in their Interventions Committee, Litigator Editorial Board and the Practice Direction Committee. She is an active writer and contributor to the Litigator Magazine, OTLA Blog and Medical Malpractice Newsletter. She has acted as the chair o...
Donald Dow is a partner in Gowling WLG's Ottawa office practising in the Advocacy Department. Donald's practice is focused in the area of medical defence litigation, health law and professional disciplinary proceedings. Donald has over 25 years of experience in malpractice litigation and has handled numerous civil trials (both jury and non-jury trials). He acts as counsel for physicians and he heads our Ottawa-based Medical Defence Practice Group.
Taryn Burnett is a partner in firm's Calgary office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation and privacy related matters. In her civil litigation practice, Taryn's practice focuses on professional and product liability. Taryn acts on product liability cases in various industries, including the automobile industry, where she has been the trusted adviser to a large industry client migrating their risk, providing creative solutions and delivering dedicated client service. In addition, she regul...
Shelagh embodies the spirit of justice as a seasoned lawyer dedicated to guiding her clients through the legal system with empathy and skill, relishing the challenges of trial work and advocating for her clients in the courtroom. As a mother herself, Shelagh understands firsthand the importance of listening and empathizing with her clients, many of whom are also mothers, drawing from her own experiences to ensure their voices are heard throughout the legal process. Shelagh feels privileged to...
Barbara Legate is the founding partner of Legate. Barbara has engraved her vision of excellence in personal injury litigation and service to clients onto the firm. For Barbara, every case is personal. With every client, she asks, "what would I expect if I was sitting in his chair? How can I help my client get back what she has lost, or protect the future of this family?" After over 35 years of practice, Barbara has earned a high level of respect for her thoroughness, legal acumen and results ...
For over 25 years Lori has acted for patients, a broad range of health care providers, advocacy organizations and decision-makers across the Canadian health care delivery system. Lori brings a broad perspective to her work, careful attention to the needs of her clients and a passion for pursuing legal issues and cases that help to make access to health care safer, more accessible and more accountable. Lori has experience before administrative tribunals (including the Health Professions Appeal...
Chantelle is a member of the Insurance Law Team with a practice that focuses on the defence of medical malpractice claims involving hospitals and health regions, professional liability, commercial and construction claims. Chantelle’s practice focuses exclusively on insurance law and civil litigation, including defence of claims involving medical negligence, disability, personal injury, property damage, contract disputes, construction liability, fire losses, and insurance coverage disput...
Maria Damiano is a lawyer at the firm Harte Law Professional Corporation in Ontario. Since 2003 Maria’s practice has been restricted exclusively to the area of medical malpractice assisting victims of serious medical harm across Ontario and Canada. Maria has been actively involved in several high profile mass torts including litigation involving 225 patients of gynaecologist Dr. Errol Wai-Ping and 99 patients of former gynaecologist Dr. Richard Austin. Maria was called to the Bar of Ont...
Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein is a partner at Murphy Battista LLP, practicing out of the firm's Vancouver office. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ for his work in Medical Negligence, Alex has dedicated over 25 years to complex civil litigation, with a primary focus on representing individuals and families harmed by medical malpractice and substandard health care. Alex’s practice encompasses representing both adults and children who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries, seve...
For over 30 years, Valerie has assisted health care professionals facing a civil lawsuit or College complaint pursue fair process and the best possible outcomes. Valerie partners with her clients to ensure they understand what is happening to them and are involved in the strategic decisions being made. Valerie is a fearless advocate who doggedly pursues fairness for her clients. Valerie has extensive litigation experience, having successfully defended numerous contested discipline hearings at...
André Michael, a partner with Siskinds LLP since 1993, was called to the Bar in 1988. Born and raised in Antigua in the West Indies, André graduated from De La Salle College in Toronto in 1980 and received his B.A. (Psychology and Economics) in 1983 and his LL.B. in 1986 from the University of Western Ontario in London. André articled and practiced at the litigation firm, Haines, Livingstone, establishing an interest in medical malpractice that he continued to develop aft...
Kimberly N. Knight is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law and Medical Negligence. Kimberly N. practices law in London, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Kimberly N. Knight since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kimberly N. Knight is held by other lawyers.
James M.O. Miller is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Negligence and Professional Malpractice Law. James M.O. practices law in Ottawa, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized James M.O. Miller since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James M.O. Miller is held by other lawyers.
Michael began his legal career with Bennett Jones LLP. Michael joined Carbert Waite LLP in 2003. In 2020, Michael was appointed King’s Counsel by Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer. Appointments of King’s Counsel are awarded to lawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession and have demonstrated exceptional leadership. LITIGATION PRACTICE Michael is an accomplished advocate and maintains an active civil and commercia...
Maureen Murphy is a partner in the firm’s Ottawa office. She practices in the areas of medical law and privacy law. She has experience representing clients before the Federal Court, Superior Court of Justice, as well as various administrative tribunals. Maureen has a particular interest in information technology and privacy law issues that affect medical professionals. Maureen provides businesses with advice on how to comply with Canada’s privacy laws. She assists clients in devel...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
