Speaker details

Biography

Cheryl is Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department and Co-Head of the firm's Class Actions practice group. She is an experienced litigator with a broad background who specializes in the defence of class and other multi-party actions in a variety of industries, often in the context of multi jurisdiction, high impact litigation. Cheryl has been counsel in a number of precedent setting decisions shaping the law that applies to consumer claims in Canada. She has defended clients in claims involving consumer products, automotive parts, drug and medical devices, securities, labelling and billing practices, and environmental contamination. She has both jury and non-jury trial experience and has appeared at all levels of court in Canada. Cheryl regularly presents on civil litigation, trial practice and advocacy, and class actions. She is chair of the CLE steering committee for the International Association of Defense Counsel and an active member of the Advocates' Society. Cheryl is adjunct faculty at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and a Co-Chair of the University of Toronto’s University Tribunal, Trial Division. Cheryl is recognized and ranked by numerous legal publications, both Canadian and global, including Benchmark Canada — The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys (Litigation Star, Ontario, for both class actions and product liability). She was also named Class Action Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada in both 2024 and 2018, and has been named in their lists of the Top 100 Women Litigators and Top 50 Trial Litigators in Canada. Cheryl holds impressive rankings in Chambers Canada 2024, securing Band 3 in Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) and Band 1 in Litigation: Product Liability, showcasing her exceptional expertise and proficiency in these areas. Cheryl clerked for Justice Allen Linden of the Federal Court of Appeal.