Liane Brown

My practice focuses primarily on motor vehicle accident claims, as well as other serious injury cases, including slip and fall and product liability claims.

What makes my practice somewhat unique is my involvement in appellate advocacy and legal education. In addition to representing injured clients, I regularly speak and present on personal injury law, serve as Co-Chair of the Interventions Committee for the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and have developed a particular interest in appeals and precedent-setting legal issues.

I am also proud to serve on the board of the Compassionate Justice Fund, which helps provide resources and support to people with serious injuries who may not have access to insurance or other sources of assistance.

Whether at trial or on appeal, my goal is the same: to help injured people access the support, treatment, and compensation they need to move forward.

One of the most common questions I hear is, "What can I expect if I start a lawsuit?"

I always try to be realistic with clients. Serious injury cases are rarely resolved quickly and often take several years to work their way through the legal system.

In my experience, however, most clients are less concerned about a future settlement than they are about their immediate needs. They want to know how they will access treatment, whether benefits are available, and how they will support themselves and their families while they recover.

A significant part of my role is helping clients secure accident benefits, long-term disability benefits, and access to quality treatment providers. Often, those immediate supports can make the biggest difference in a person's recovery and day-to-day life.

One of the most memorable cases I worked on involved a young mother of three who tragically lost her life in a highly unusual accident on Christmas Eve.

The circumstances were devastating, and her husband had consulted several lawyers before coming to me. Many believed the case would be difficult to pursue because the incident appeared to be a tragic accident without a clear legal claim.

After carefully investigating the facts, I concluded there were viable issues to pursue and commenced a lawsuit. The case was vigorously contested, but we ultimately secured a significant settlement for the family.

What made the case particularly meaningful was being able to help a family that had initially been told there were no options available to them.

The most challenging aspect of personal injury litigation is the emotional toll that can come with working with people during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Many of our clients are coping with life-changing injuries, grief, financial uncertainty, or all three. It is important to be compassionate and supportive while also maintaining the objectivity needed to provide sound legal advice.

What helps is knowing that, during an incredibly difficult time, we can provide guidance, resources, and a path forward for people who may feel overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.

I have been fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors throughout my career. Working alongside lawyers such as Jim Vigmond and Brian Cameron has had a tremendous influence on my development as an advocate. They have not only been outstanding litigators, but also generous mentors who have encouraged and supported my professional growth.

More recently, my involvement with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association has given me the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the leading plaintiff-side litigators in the province. Watching their advocacy and commitment to injured people continues to inspire me.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. Much of my free time revolves around my children's activities, whether that's attending my daughter's competitive dance events or watching my son compete in jiu-jitsu.

My family also loves travelling. We rent a cottage every summer, regularly visit the East Coast where my husband is from, and enjoy taking family vacations whenever we can. Those opportunities to spend time together and make memories are incredibly important to me.