A class action can have devastating economic consequences for a business. At Dentons, our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to formulate and execute the most effective responses to class litigation. Our strong national and global presence enables us to deliver comprehensive, effective and seamless support to our clients who deal with multi-jurisdictional disputes, both within Canada and around the world.

Our experienced litigators have appeared before all levels of court across Canada, and have contributed to some of the country's leading class action jurisprudence in the Common Law provinces and Québec. We cater our legal services to each client – to successfully protect their business and preserve their reputation – by employing a range of defence strategies that reduce or eliminate the exposure of our clients, including:

• Managing risks to avoid a potential class claim even before litigation is commenced;
• Opposing motions for class action certification in a focused and strategic manner, including initial challenges to jurisdiction, preliminary attacks on unfounded claims, narrowing the proposed class composition, and limiting the scope of common issues;
• Developing defendant-sponsored preferable procedures that enable a defendant to both control the process and tailor it to the operations of its particular business; and
• Devising and implementing innovative settlement strategies.

Why choose Dentons

We know complex class actions. Over the years, our team has built a solid track record of navigating Canadian class action minefields and has developed in depth experience defending complex class actions involving many jurisdictions. We tailor our defence strategy to fit your interests.

We know class counsel. Our extensive experience in the defence of class actions across Canada gives us insight into how Canadian plaintiffs’ lawyers manage their cases in all provinces. Our familiarity with the plaintiffs’ lawyers in these actions in particular allows us to provide effective tactical and aggressive counsel to our clients and use alternative strategies that benefit their operations.

We deliver unparalleled client service. Class actions are lengthy and clients appreciate counsel that is attentive, business focused, communicative, and upfront on case developments. Our team consistently receives high marks for our approach to client service and case management. Clients are never left wondering about the status of their matter or document. We always give ample time for review and consideration and provide feedback in business language that can be easily shared with executives.

National and international expertise: Dentons Canada offers comprehensive geographic coverage in all of Canada’s major business centers and in over 200 locations around the world. Clients who need help maneuvering through additional proceedings initiated in other provinces or other countries can count on us to provide seamless representation in other jurisdictions, handled by experienced Dentons partners who are familiar with local court practice, well known to the local bench, and directly accountable to you.

Dentons is proficient in the practice areas that are frequently the subject of class actions and represents clients in all of these areas, including: 

• Product Liability and Complex Torts
• Sales Practices
• Competition and Antitrust Litigation
• Securities and Shareholder Litigation
• Employment Disputes
• Pensions and Benefits Disputes
• Environmental Litigation
• Aboriginal Law

Members of our class action team have spoken and written extensively on class actions and are highly ranked by legal directories, such as Lexpert, Practical Law Company, Chambers Global, Martindale-Hubbell and Best Lawyers in Canada.

Recognition

Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution group: Steadily growing as a Canadian powerhouse

August 1, 2024

Described by clients as “brilliant, focused and incredibly skilled,” and praised for their “ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters,” Dentons Canada’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution lawyers are increasingly being recognized as powerhouses in the Canadian legal landscape.

Dentons earns top awards in corporate and commercial litigation

August 23, 2017

Dentons proudly announces that it has been named “Corporate and Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year” in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada, adding another “Law Firm of the Year” accolade to our global list of recognitions.

Insights

Five things you need to know about internal investigations to mitigate securities litigation risk

May 1, 2024

Internal investigations present an opportunity for a company to get ahead of and reduce securities, criminal and class action risk. However, there are many ways in which these investigations could be easily mismanaged. Here are five things corporations should be aware of to mitigate risk.

Do you “know-how” to distinguish confidential information from professional know-how?

March 8, 2024

What happens when a seasoned professional with specialized knowledge and expertise is engaged by competing firms to do similar work, or moves to a competing firm? Absent a nondisclosure agreement defining what information is subject to confidentiality obligations, are there any restrictions on what information professionals can or cannot use in their later work?

Litigation and Dispute Resolution 2024 Outlook

February 13, 2024

Global financial instability, high inflation, central bank rate hikes and geopolitical uncertainties have significantly impacted the Canadian legal landscape, giving rise to new industry trends and a noticeable increase in litigation cases filed across the country.

View all insights for Class Actions in Canada

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons continues to bolster litigation and alternative dispute resolution capabilities in Québec with addition of partner Ioana Jurca

September 3, 2024

Dentons, Canada’s Global Law Firm, welcomes Ioana Jurca as a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. Based in Montréal, and with more than a decade of experience handling complex domestic and international litigation and arbitration matters, Ioana has a broad practice that encompasses civil and commercial litigation, class actions, commercial arbitration, professional liability and insurance litigation.

Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution group: Steadily growing as a Canadian powerhouse

August 1, 2024

Described by clients as “brilliant, focused and incredibly skilled,” and praised for their “ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters,” Dentons Canada’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution lawyers are increasingly being recognized as powerhouses in the Canadian legal landscape.

Dentons expands litigation and dispute resolution team in Calgary with new partner Matthew Epp

May 22, 2024

Dentons, Canada’s Global Law Firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Epp as a partner in the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group in Calgary. Matthew is a highly skilled litigator with more than 25 years of experience with complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, class actions and white-collar crime matters.

View all press releases for Class Actions in Canada