A nationally recognized litigator in commercial and class action disputes and product liability litigation, Deborah is known for representing global corporations in their most complex, high-stakes matters.
- Toronto:416.865.1115
Overview
Deborah is a versatile advocate who leads teams in complex, bet-the-company disputes with domestic and global implications. She practices nationally in commercial litigation, with a focus on product liability, mass tort, and class action matters.
Deborah maintains one of the preeminent product liability practices in Canada. She has deep experience defending domestic and foreign-based companies in multijurisdictional class actions, including aggregated cost recovery lawsuits brought by governments stemming from alleged mass toxic torts and public harms, and related pre‑litigation matters.
Deborah’s experience spans a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, consumer and food products, telecommunications, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, and financial services. Her commercial practice focuses on contractual claims, economic torts, and shareholder remedies, including the oppression remedy.
Deborah has acted in significant litigation for Philip Morris International, 3M Company, Juul Labs, Novartis, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Masco, Diageo Canada, Bacardi Canada, Corby Spirit and Wine, Bell Canada, Molson Coors, and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges.
Deborah is the Chair of Pro Bono Ontario’s board of directors, a director of The Advocates’ Society, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Class and Derivative Actions Subcommittee (Business and Corporate Litigation Section), and a member of the International Association of Defence Counsel (IADC).
Deborah is an outstanding litigator and a widely trusted adviser.’
Chambers Canada, 2026
Featured Work
Recognition and Awards
| 2021-2026 | Chambers Canada—Leading lawyer in product liability litigation |
| 2021-2026 | Benchmark Litigation: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys—Litigator Star (commercial, product liability, securities) |
| 2021-2026 | The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Leading lawyer in commercial arbitration, corporate commercial litigation, class actions, and product liability |
| 2021-2026 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in class action litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, and product liability law |
| 2015 | Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award |
Insights
News
Professional Involvement
Deborah is committed to advancing access to justice and supporting her community through extensive pro bono service and leadership roles:
- Chair of Pro Bono Ontario’s board of directors
- Elected director of The Advocates’ Society
- Honoured with the Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award (2015) based on her work in launching a medical-legal clinic at Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
- Represented The Advocates’ Society before the Supreme Court of Canada in Groia v. Law Society of Ontario, a case concerning significant ethical issues for litigators
- Currently serves as a cabinet member of the United Way Greater Toronto’s Major Individual Giving Cabinet
- Served on the board of directors of Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke (2009-2018), a shelter and outreach centre for women and children escaping violent relationships; acted as chair of the board for six years (2012-2018)
Deborah is a frequent contributor to legal education and professional development programs within the legal community:
- Elected director of The Advocates’ Society
- Faculty member for Osgoode Hall Law School’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Law Practice Program Trial Advocacy training program
- Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Class and Derivative Actions Subcommittee (Business and Corporate Litigation Section), Co-Chair of the Programs and Planning Committee, and member of the Business Law Section Bar Coordination Committee
- Frequent speaker for The Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and the American Bar Association on topics including trial advocacy, professional responsibility and ethics, and practice management
- Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor
Education and Bar Admissions
- JD, 2005
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Law
- Ontario, 2006
- British Columbia, 2025