Canada
Practice Areas
Gillian is a Partner in the Toronto Litigation group, but she practices nationally. Her practice focuses on class actions, privacy and tech litigation, and complex commercial disputes.
Gillian is a leader in the tech industry. Her client list includes Meta, Uber, Intuit, Shopify and Netflix. Clients trust her with their most complex cases, which often involve cross-border or global issues. For example, she is counsel to Meta in its Cambridge Analytica litigation with the Canada’s Privacy Commissioner; counsel to Meta in all of its Canadian AI class actions; counsel to Meta in all of its “teen mental health” litigation (alleging Facebook and Instagram are addictive and harmful to youth); counsel to Uber in various misleading advertising class actions and its taxi/limo class actions; counsel to Intuit in its “free, free, free” misleading advertising class action; and counsel to Shopify in a high profile dispute with the Canadian Revenue Agency, which engages important privacy issues.
Gillian is an experienced trial lawyer, having argued before both judges and juries. She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Professional Memberships
Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, Advocates Society, Toronto Lawyers Association
Publications
"Data Breach Class Actions – Key Developments and Emerging Risks: 2025 Privacy Breach Insights – Part 2", by Gillian Kerr, Michelle De Haas, Natasha Petrof, and Isabelle Vendette
"Ontario’s top court may have raised the bar to have defamation actions dismissed at an early stage as “SLAPP” proceedings", by Gillian Kerr, Dorothy Charach, and Lauren Weaver
"Mitigating Dispute Risks: The Need to Navigate AI Privacy Issues" by Gillian Kerr, Connor Bildfell, and Nico Rullmann
Personal
Gillian is actively involved in improving legal community, and helping her community more broadly.
Gillian co-chairs McCarthy Tetrault’s United Way committee, which raises significant funds for community members in need.
At McCarthy Tétrault, Gillian spearheaded a diversity and inclusion project, Mentorship Plus, which delivers mentoring and support for diverse associates within the firm.
Gillian is also Law Firm Leader in the Hospital for Sick Children’s fundraising campaign.