Elizabeth Bowker

Elizabeth prioritizes listening to her clients, understanding their needs and point of view and telling their stories in a persuasive and compelling way.

She represents clients involved in wide-ranging issues including class actions, professional liability, products liability, medical malpractice, municipal liability, employment practices and insurance coverage.

ELIZABETH BOWKER is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer, with a diverse and complex practice. It is important for her to listen to her clients, to understand their needs and point of view, and to tell their stories in a persuasive and compelling way. She has a measured and calm approach to problems, seeking mediated settlements when possible, but is just as comfortable in a courtroom advocating for her clients at trial and all the way up through levels of appeal.

She has argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Courts of Appeal in both Ontario and New Brunswick, Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, as well as before multiple administrative tribunals. She represents clients involved in wide-ranging issues including class actions, professional liability, products liability, medical malpractice, municipal liability, employment practices and insurance coverage.

Elizabeth serves on the Class Proceedings Committee as a jointly appointed member by the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Attorney General of Ontario.

She is recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada™ for her expertise in both Class Action Litigation and in Insurance Law, and was recently named one of Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers of 2026 in the Human Rights, Advocacy, and Criminal category.

Elizabeth is a frequent speaker at various conferences and seminars for professional organizations and insurance companies. She is a member of the Advocates’ Society and the Ontario Bar Association. Prior to articling, she was a legal intern with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva.

- Successfully responded to appeal on behalf of forensic mental health hospital in proposed class action arising out of the use of seclusion and restraint of patients. Stolove v. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, 2025 ONCA 376.

- Successfully resisted certification of a proposed class action against all Ontario children’s aid societies alleging privacy torts as a result of birth alerts regarding pregnant individuals. G. v. Ontario, 2025 ONSC 3011; under appeal.

- Successfully resisted certification on behalf of forensic mental health hospital in proposed class action arising out of the use of seclusion and restraint of patients. Stolove v. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, 2024 ONSC 3639.

- Successfully resisted certification on behalf of certainlong-term care homes in various proposed class actions and mass torts, including actions arising out of Covid-19 pandemic and allegations of inadequate care in homes. Pugliese v. Chartwell et al, 2024 ONSC 1135.