Articles

About Articles The following articles are published by the Insurance Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles. About Articles

Editors: Sudevi Mukherjee‐Gothi and Tracey Hamilton

Today
Today

The Ontario Court of Appeal Considers Insurance Policy Interpretation in Early COVID-19 Coverage Claim

  • September 29, 2022
  • Thomas Russell

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a scar upon numerous sectors in Canada, leaving many businesses reliant on their insurance coverage plans for the resulting business losses. 202135 Ontario Inc., et al v. Northbridge General Insurance, 2022 ONCA 304 appears to be the first COVID-relating coverage case to come before the Ontario Court of Appeal. In this case, the court considered how to interpret a limit of liability clause, ultimately finding in favor of the insured.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law 2020 Winner Profile: John A. Olah

  • September 23, 2022
  • Dennis Ong

John A. Olah was called to the bar in 1975 and since then has litigated complex tort litigation matters, ranging from product liability cases to high-profile sporting matters. John is a recognized national and international expert, acting for resorts and hotels across Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. John’s practice includes private international law cases, complex environmental law litigation as well as class action matters.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law 2020 Winner Profile: David F. Smye, Q.C.

  • September 23, 2022
  • Katie Di Tomaso

David F. Smye, Q.C. was called to the bar in 1972 after accelerating quickly through post-secondary education studying Economics and Political Science and obtaining a degree in Law in only five years. David’s pace remained swift while his legal career made a steep ascent to partner only one year after being called to the bar. David was a founding partner of Mackesy Smye in 1973 where he has continued to practice and lead the firm for nearly 50 years.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law Winner 2021 Profile: Richard H. Shekter

  • September 23, 2022
  • Katie Di Tomaso and Richard Shekter

Richard Shekter graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1973 as a Bronze Medallist. Following completion of his term of articles with Eddie Greenspan, Michael Moldaver and Alan Gold, he obtained an LL.M. from the University of California at Berkeley, summa cum laude, on a Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship, before being called to the bar in 1976. Richard served one year as law clerk to the Chief Justice of Ontario before entering private practice in 1977.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law 2021 Winner Profile: Todd J. McCarthy

  • September 23, 2022
  • Dennis Ong

Todd J. McCarthy was called to the bar in 1989 and since that time he has continually dedicated himself to advocacy, primarily as defence counsel. Todd is an intrepid and passionate advocate. The complete body of his contribution to the development of the common law is impressive in terms of substantive complexity, breadth, volume and scope.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law 2022 Winner Profile: Keith Smockum

  • September 23, 2022
  • Bronwyn Martin

Keith Smockum has practiced exclusively in the area of insurance law since he was called to the bar in 1986. He began his career at Lawson McGrenere LLP, where he became partner, followed by managing partner in 1991. He started his current firm, Smockum Zarnett LLP, in 2008. Over the course of his career, Keith has earned a reputation as one of the best insurance litigators in this province.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law 2022 Winner Profile: Jim Vigmond

  • September 23, 2022
  • Bronwyn Martin

Jim Vigmond has been practicing personal injury litigation on behalf of plaintiffs for over 30 years. He is former president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the Simcoe County Law Association. Jim continues to be a leading figure of Ontario’s personal injury trial bar. At Oatley, Vigmond, Jim leads a team of lawyers and support staff with broad expertise in spinal cord, brain injury and serious orthopedic cases.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

ONSC Provides Commentary on Standard of Care for Anatomic Pathologists in Cases of Delayed Diagnosis

  • August 22, 2022
  • Michael Valdez

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s April 2022 decision in The Estate of Mary Fleury et al v. Olayiwola A. Kassim is a noteworthy one. Not only does it provide a modern case study of the application of the common law principles surrounding delayed diagnosis, but it also provides new guidance regarding the standard of care, specifically, the standard of care for anatomic pathologists.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

Expert Reports and Pre-Trial Conferences

  • August 12, 2022
  • Laura Dowsley

Earlier this year, the Civil Rules Committee amended Rule 53.08(1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, which had previously provided for flexibility for counsel in producing expert reports at pre-trial conferences. The flexibility built into the old Rule was creating limitations for the effectiveness of pre-trial conferences and often resulted in adjournments of fixed trial dates. The amendment to the Rule aims to strengthen the value of the pre-trial conference.

Insurance Law, Student Forum

When Cryptocurrencies and Insurance Policies Collide: The D&O Securities Exclusion in the Blockchain Age

  • June 30, 2022
  • Nabil Mahmood

During the fall of 2020, when Ontarians were hunkering down for the second COVID-19 pandemic wave, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its decision in Kik Interactive Inc. v. AIG Insurance Company of Canada . The Court was tasked with interpreting whether the respondent insurer’s securities exclusion worked to preclude coverage for cryptocurrency sales to the public.

Insurance Law, Student Forum