Secretary (Sections)
Ethan Z. Schiff he/him
Bennett Jones LLP
Associate
Ethan Z. Schiff
Biography
Ethan Schiff has a general litigation practice with significant experience in multi-jurisdictional class actions alleging product liability, systemic negligence and competition offences. Ethan has worked on cases alleging defects and/or conspiracies with respect to motor vehicles and their components, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, airfare, household appliances and other consumer products. Among other experience, Ethan acted at the Ontario Court of Appeal in successfully upholding the dismissal of a $1.85-billion proposed class action alleging negligent inspection of a building at the certification stage. Ethan is Co-Newsletter Editor of the Ontario Bar Association's class actions law section.Newsletter Editor
Matthew Wade Taylor
Sotos LLP
Associate
Matthew Wade Taylor
Biography
Matthew is an associate at Sotos Class Actions. He has experience in investor protection, professional liability, institutional abuse, and pharmaceutical & medical device product liability, and professional liability litigation. Prior to joining Sotos, Matthew practiced at a leading plaintiffs’ class action firm where his practice was devoted entirely to complex class action and multi-plaintiff litigation. Matthew has been counsel on multiple trials, including a common issues trial and various motions, including summary judgment, certification pursuant to the Class Proceedings Act, and leave to proceed under Part XXIII.1 of the Securities Act. He has appeared before the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Commercial List. He sits on the executive of the class action section of the Ontario Bar Association.
Matthew is accepting clients in financial services professional liability (investment advisor, financial advisor, etc. negligence) matters and commercial litigation matters, including minority shareholding disputes.
Regional Representative
Chelsea Smith she/her
McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP
Lawyer
Chelsea Smith
Biography
Prior to joining the highly experienced class actions team at McKenzie Lake, I worked at the firm as a summer student and articling student. During this time, I assisted with several class actions and developed a keen interest in class action litigation. Through strength in numbers, class actions provide access to justice for those who might otherwise be unable to pursue their claims. I am committed to providing access to justice in both official languages. Although London is my hometown, I have also lived in Quebec (Trois-Pistoles, Alma, and Quebec City) and in France (Ornex). Living in Quebec and France allowed me to transform my passion for the French language into fluency. During law school, my passion for the French language continued and led me to pursue a Diplôme de français juridique and an LL.B. in Quebec civil law in addition to my Juris Doctor degree. Outside of the office, I enjoy reading, volunteering, and cheering on the Western Mustangs football team. I stay active by swimming with the London Silver Dolphins masters swim team. Please contact me about new or current class action claims. Professional Associations: American Association for Justice; Canadian Bar Association; Law Society of Ontario; Middlesex Law Association; Ontario Bar Association; Richard J Schmeelk Canada Fellow; The Advocates' Society; Western Law Adjunct Professor Education: - Honours Bachelor of Arts, English Language and Literature and French, Huron University College at Western University, 2011 - Juris Doctor, Western University, 2015 - Diplôme de français juridique, Western University, 2015 - LL.B. in Quebec Civil Law, Université Laval, 2016 Year of Call: 2017 (Ontario); 2024 (Quebec)Member-At-Large
Nathalie Gondek she/her
Law Foundation of Ontario, Class Proceedings Committee
Associate Counsel
416 595 1425
Email