Ontario’s top Court dismisses class action against auditor
In its unanimous decision in Lavender v. Miller Bernstein LLP released on September 5, 2018, the Court of Appeal for Ontario made it clear that notwithstanding the liability imposed by the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) in the recent auditor’s negligence case of Livent v. Deloitte & Touche, the reasoning of the SCC in Livent will make it rare for an auditor on a limited retainer to be held liable to anyone other than its audit client, such as investors, clients or other stakeholders of the audit client. In Lavender, the Court of Appeal heard an appeal from Mr. Justice Belobaba’s summary judgment ... [more] Full article
Supreme Court of Canada (partially) upholds judgment against former Livent auditor
On December 20, Canada’s highest court released a hotly anticipated decision that is almost certainly the final act in the more than 20 year saga of a formerly pre-eminent theater ... [more] Full article
Supreme Court of Canada to hear landmark auditor’s liability case
Today, on June 9, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada granted former Livent auditor, Deloitte & Touche, leave to appeal from the decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, ... [more] Full article
Curtains for auditor’s arguments at the Court of Appeal in Livent case
Livent Inc. (“Livent”) has prevailed at the Court of Appeal in its auditor’s negligence claim against Deloitte & Touche (“Deloitte”) concerning Deloitte’s failure to detect an accounting fraud carried out by Livent’s senior management. In the result, the trial judge’s $84,750,000.00 damage award (plus interest) was upheld. [more] Full article
Professional Negligence and Discipline Hearings Contributors
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
