From precedent-setting class action defence to defamation law and commercial litigation, Sarah brings broad experience and skilled advocacy to her work with clients on all aspects of their disputes.
Sarah is the practice group leader for Torys' litigation department. Sarah maintains an active disputes practice with an emphasis on commercial litigation, class actions, employment law, and defamation. Sarah advises corporations in all stages of disputes, including complex governance disputes, shareholder arrangements, breach of contract claims, and transaction disputes.
Sarah advises clients in numerous class actions, including employment claims, product liability, competition law, mass tort and negligence disputes. She regularly represents clients in the banking, retail, and technology sectors, including acting as counsel in several leading and precedent-setting national class actions, acting for the Canadian Hockey League, Canada Cartage and Deloitte, as well as a Canadian Schedule I bank in its defence to the first common issues trial to proceed on the merits in an employment class action in Canada.
Sarah also has a robust defamation practice regularly representing media companies, authors, and individuals in various defamation matters.
She has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Québec, as well as in various administrative tribunals in Ontario (including the Human Rights Tribunal), the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Sarah is smart and provides quality work and advice.’
Chambers Canada, 2023
2023-2025 | Chambers Canada—Leading lawyer in dispute resolution: class action (defence) |
2024 | Benchmark Litigation—40 & Under Hot List |
2024 | Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys—Future Star |
2021-2024 | The Legal 500—Next Generation Partner in dispute resolution (Ontario) |
2023-2025 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in class action litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, and labour and employment law |
2023 | Lexpert’s Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40—One of Canada’s leading lawyers under 40 |
2023 | The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Leading lawyer in class action and corporate/commercial litigation |
Sarah is an instructor at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Trial Advocacy course. She is also a member of the Advocates' Society and the OBA's Class Action and Civil Litigation Executives. Additionally, Sarah is on the editorial board for the Class Action Defence Quarterly.
In the community, Sarah serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. She also volunteers as an instructor and mentor for Ontario’s Law Practice Program’s Trial Advocacy course. In addition, Sarah also co-chair's the University Tribunal, Trial Division at the University of Toronto.