Class Actions

Our clients can count on a team of talented lawyers and support staff with recognized expertise in class actions. Our attorneys provide unique strategic insight, gained through representation of Canadian and international clients in all industries – from manufacturers to financial institutions, from retailers to transportation companies – across the spectrum of class action proceedings, including:

 

■ Antitrust, competition and price fixing
■ Product liability
■ Consumer protection law and misleading advertising
■ Securities law, misrepresentation and shareholder rights
■ Insurance law
■ Professional negligence
■ Environmental law

 

Class action litigation can be expensive and time-consuming for defendants. Hence the importance of taking full advantage of opportunities that can lead to the early dismissal of the action, narrow the issues raised or limit the scope of the proceedings or the size of the class. Our strategic skills and understanding of the key issues allow us to do so effectively.

 

When a class action is authorized, we have the experience to skillfully guide clients through the next steps. Regardless of the path taken by the litigation, our team has the experience and judgment to find the best solutions.

■ GE Railcar Services Corporation: Representation of General Electric, the lessor of certain oil tank cars involved in the July 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic.

 

■ Hydro-Québec: Representation of Hydro-Québec in a class action by a group of non-unionized employees alleging the right to maintain pre-determined premiums for their group life insurance.

 

■ Global Fuels Inc.: Representation of a distributor of gasoline at the pump in class actions against a series of defendants over their alleged involvement in a gasoline price-fixing scheme in several regions of Quebec.

 

■ Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF): Representation of Quebec’s financial markets regulator in a class action stemming from the Norbourg fraud case (claim exceeding $100 million).

 

■ Kaba Ilco: Representation of a push-button lock manufacturer in a class action raising issues of product liability and false and misleading advertising under the Consumer Protection Act.

 

■ Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ): Représentation of the FMSQ in a class action launched by plaintiffs who alleged damages stemming from training days taken by medical specialists.

■ PolyOne Canada Inc.: Representation of one of the largest polymer manufacturers and distributors in the world in a class action alleging the release of environmental contaminants.

 

■ Loto-Québec: Defence of Loto-Québec in the context of a class action instituted on behalf of individuals claiming to have become compulsive gamblers as a result of using video lottery terminals (VLTs).

 

■ L’Oréal Canada: Representation of L’Oréal in a class action alleging that certain shampoo for children contained hazardous ingredients.

 

■ Canaccord Genuity: Representation of a large wealth-management firm in class actions launched by secondary market investors claiming $140 million on the basis of alleged market manipulation and insider trading.

 

■ HSBC Securities: Representation of a brokerage firm in a class action alleging market-timing practices in the management of mutual funds.

 

■ Tokai Rika Co.: Representation of a major Japanese company that manufactures automobile parts in class actions alleging violations of the Competition Act in the automobile parts manufacturing industry.

SEE ALL OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Class Actions

Our clients can count on a team of talented lawyers and support staff with recognized expertise in class actions. Our attorneys provide unique strategic insight, gained through representation of Canadian and international clients in all industries – from manufacturers to financial institutions, from retailers to transportation companies – across the spectrum of class action proceedings, including:

 

■ Antitrust, competition and price fixing

■ Product liability

■ Consumer protection law and misleading advertising

■ Securities law, misrepresentation and shareholder rights

■ Insurance law

■ Professional negligence

■ Environmental law

 

Class action litigation can be expensive and time-consuming for defendants. Hence the importance of taking full advantage of opportunities that can lead to the early dismissal of the action, narrow the issues raised or limit the scope of the proceedings or the size of the class. Our strategic skills and understanding of the key issues allow us to do so effectively.

 

When a class action is authorized, we have the experience to skillfully guide clients through the next steps. Regardless of the path taken by the litigation, our team has the experience and judgment to find the best solutions.

■ GE Railcar Services Corporation: Representation of General Electric, the lessor of certain oil tank cars involved in the July 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic.

 

■ Hydro-Québec: Representation of Hydro-Québec in a class action by a group of non-unionized employees alleging the right to maintain pre-determined premiums for their group life insurance.

 

■ Global Fuels Inc.: Representation of a distributor of gasoline at the pump in class actions against a series of defendants over their alleged involvement in a gasoline price-fixing scheme in several regions of Quebec.

 

■ Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF): Representation of Quebec’s financial markets regulator in a class action stemming from the Norbourg fraud case (claim exceeding $100 million).

 

■ Kaba Ilco: Representation of a push-button lock manufacturer in a class action raising issues of product liability and false and misleading advertising under the Consumer Protection Act.

 

■ Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ): Représentation of the FMSQ in a class action launched by plaintiffs who alleged damages stemming from training days taken by medical specialists.

 

■ PolyOne Canada Inc.: Representation of one of the largest polymer manufacturers and distributors in the world in a class action alleging the release of environmental contaminants.

 

■ Loto-Québec: Defence of Loto-Québec in the context of a class action instituted on behalf of individuals claiming to have become compulsive gamblers as a result of using video lottery terminals (VLTs).

 

■ L’Oréal Canada: Representation of L’Oréal in a class action alleging that certain shampoo for children contained hazardous ingredients.

 

■ Canaccord Genuity: Representation of a large wealth-management firm in class actions launched by secondary market investors claiming $140 million on the basis of alleged market manipulation and insider trading.

 

■ HSBC Securities: Representation of a brokerage firm in a class action alleging market-timing practices in the management of mutual funds.

 

■ Tokai Rika Co.: Representation of a major Japanese company that manufactures automobile parts in class actions alleging violations of the Competition Act in the automobile parts manufacturing industry.

SEE ALL OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE