Department profile
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
Canada Guide 2027 : Nationwide - Canada
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Class actions remain top of mind for most businesses with operations or interests in Canada — and Blakes is at the forefront of class actions defence with one of the most experienced teams in the country. Spanning nearly four decades, we have defended clients in more than 400 class actions across the country, including precedent-setting cases with industry-wide implications and multi-jurisdictional cases requiring global coordination. We are also among a small number of Canadian firms with notable class action success at trial and on dispositive applications and motions.
Our trial and appellate lawyers defend clients at all levels of courts and are skilled in preparedness, strategic planning, mediations, arbitrations and negotiated settlements. A key advantage is the experience of our integrated and coordinated national team of leading litigators who have deep knowledge and experience within each of the major Canadian jurisdictions. This platform ensures that we are able to expertly advise on class actions across the country.
We work alongside U.S. and international law firms, advisers and experts to ensure effective coordination of claims that are international in scope and extend into Canada. Through our cross-border experience, strong communication and collaboration, we help ensure the best representation for our clients.
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Blake, Cassels & Graydon defended Air Canada in a class action brought on behalf of Québec consumers alleging it misrepresented prices for airline tickets.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Blake, Cassels & Graydon's team is meticulous and always extremely well prepared.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaBlake, Cassels & Graydon understands product liability and consumer law issues thoroughly. The team has a client-driven approach and is available to us as needed.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaBlake, Cassels & Graydon's bench is so deep. The team provides exceptional insight and advocacy, and understands nuance.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaBlakes, Cassels & Graydon has subject matter experts who are responsive and give great practical and strategic advice.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaBlake, Cassels & Graydon handles our most complex and sensitive matters. The team tailors both its advice and its work product to fit with our company's approach.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 Gordon McKee
Gordon McKee maintains a stellar reputation for his handling of class actions nationally, with notable experience acting for clients in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries. He is particularly well regarded for his role in high-stakes product liability class proceedings.
Gordon is smart, knowledgeable and represents his clients' best interests.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaGordon's depth of legal knowledge in this field is unmatched.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 2 
Band 2 Catherine Beagan Flood
Catherine Beagan Flood is well regarded for her representation in product liability and privacy-related class actions. She also has experience in high-stakes antitrust class proceedings. Catherine has deep subject matter knowledge.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaCatherine is an amazing litigator. She is very smart, has very good judgement and is very strategic. She sees the whole picture, and I really trust her judgement.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 2 
Band 2 Robin Reinertson
Robin Reinertson enjoys a strong reputation for her litigation practice and is particularly active in competition and product liability cases.
Robin is exceptional. She knows the British Columbia court and the system, and provides excellent work product.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaRobin has a thriving practice, incredible experience, is a brilliant strategist and is great with clients.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 3 
Band 3 Andrea Laing
Andrea Laing is a Toronto-based lawyer with a strong track record of advising accounting firms and investment managers. Her class action practice is complemented by wider experience in securities litigation and investigations. Andrea is very thorough and knowledgeable, and very clear on the substantive legal path forward when arguing the case.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaAndrea is very strategic and a strong technical expert in securities litigation. She has a real mastery of the issues at play, knows the landscape well and has tremendous technical strength.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 3 
Band 3 James Sullivan
James Sullivan KC offers his clients wide-ranging class action expertise, including before the Supreme Court of Canada.
James is a great strategic litigation lawyer. He thinks outside the box, considers all issues and is practical.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 5 
Band 5 Ariane Bisaillon
Ariane Bisaillon capably advises clients on major class actions in the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. She is based in the firm's Montréal office. Ariane is an expert. She is practical, very strategic in her approach, mindful of the risks and always takes into account our needs and best interests.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaAriane is an excellent partner.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaAriane is very pragmatic, skilled and experienced with the plaintiff lawyers.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaAriane is smart and eloquent. She is a great litigator, and her work product is excellent.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Band 5 
Band 5 Robin Linley
Based in Toronto, Robin Linley has a growing reputation in the disputes space based on his adept handling of class actions involving product liability issues.
Robin provides strategic guidance and resolves matters pragmatically.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanadaRobin is very responsive, practical, a deep thinker and very knowledgeable.
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) respondentCanada
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming Nicole Henderson
Situated in Toronto, Nicole Henderson has a growing practice in the class actions and disputes space. Her areas of specialism include competition and product liability matters.
Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (8)
Nationwide - Canada
Gordon McKee
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Catherine Beagan Flood
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Robin Reinertson
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Andrea Laing
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile James Sullivan KC
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Ariane Bisaillon
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Robin Linley
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile Nicole Henderson
Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence)
View profile
Members
Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Gordon McKee
View profile of Gordon McKeeRobin Reinertson
View profile of Robin ReinertsonAndrea Laing
View profile of Andrea LaingRobin Linley
View profile of Robin LinleyNicole Henderson
View profile of Nicole HendersonAriane Bisaillon
View profile of Ariane BisaillonCatherine Beagan Flood
View profile of Catherine Beagan FloodJames Sullivan
View profile of James Sullivan
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