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Ethan Z. Schiff

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Gina Azer

Associate

In Morrison v. Hatts Off Inc. et al., <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2025/2025onsc4320/2025onsc4320.html?resultId=8760cfe00fe74ba295dbd14a85eefd84&searchId=2025-08-07T10:20:54:326/6e00332474ec4055bfefdf0fc1a88e76&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQBTImNsYXNzIHByb2NlZWRpbmdzIiBPUiAiY2xhc3MgYWN0aW9uIiBPUiAiYWN0aW9uIGNvbGxlY3RpdmUiIE9SICJyZWNvdXJzIGNvbGxlY3RpZiIAAAAAAQ">2025 ONSC 4320</a>, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declined to order pre-certification discovery of sensitive Children’s Aid Society records in a proposed class action alleging systemic negligence and fiduciary breaches in children’s group homes

Ontario Superior Court Rejects Pre Certification Discovery

Ontario Superior Court Rejects Pre-Certification Discovery in Children's Homes Class Action

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Chief Executive Officer

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Cheryl M. Woodin

Commercial Litigation, Product Liability & Class Actions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

For 2025, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b8AABD48C-0C9A-4C2D-AB95-D9794F1BAD8A%7d%40en">Dominique Hussey</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bDBE7E2AD-D4AB-49E7-B071-5F10AEFB58A6%7d%40en">Melanie Teetaert</a> and <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bBB7E2F17-4898-4C5A-860E-BCC568DCF931%7d%40en">Cheryl Woodin</a> have once again earned a place on Benchmark Litigation's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://benchmarklitigation.com/Jurisdiction/Top-100-Women-Canada/Details/8904#lawyers" target="_blank">Top 100 Women in Litigation</a> list.

Dominique Hussey Melanie Teetaert and Cheryl Woodin Recognized Again Among Benchmark Litigations

Dominique Hussey, Melanie Teetaert and Cheryl Woodin Recognized in Benchmark's Top 100 Women in Litigation

Sean Assié

Regulatory, Environmental and Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Denise D. Bright

Public and Private Company Financial Transactions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

David Bursey

Regulatory, Environmental, ESG and Aboriginal Law Lawyer for Energy and Natural Resource Clients at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Clients across Canada and internationally rely on Bennett Jones for strategic legal guidance in the energy sector. Our inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy reflects our deep knowledge of our clients’ businesses in energy-related industries.

Twenty Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexperts Special Edition on Energy

Twenty-Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexpert's Special Edition on Energy

Mehak Kawatra

In Voltage Pictures v Robert Salna, <a href="https://canlii.ca/t/kd8qd">2025 FCA 131</a>, the Federal Court of Appeal addressed the preferable procedure criterion in the context of a defendants’ class proceeding. The plaintiffs sought to certify an action against a class of defendants and, despite objection, impose the burden on Mr. Salna to represent the interests of the defendant group (the representative defendant).

Federal Court of Appeal Dismisses

Federal Court of Appeal Dismisses Class Action Certification Due To Unavoidable Individualized Inquiries

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Product Safety Regulation in Canada

Authors


Bennett Jones Article Product Safety Regulation in Canada January 22, 2024 Authors Cheryl M. WoodinPartner Julia E. SchatzPartner Ethan Z. SchiffPartner Cheryl Woodin, Julia Schatz and Ethan Schiff authored a Product Safety Regulation in Canada Practice Note, published by Thomson Reuters. The Practice Note provides an overview of Canada's product safety and regulation for foreign retailers, distributors, manufacturers or suppliers of goods, offering information regarding product safety laws and regulations, industry-specific considerations, disclosure requirements and enforcement in Canada. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Cheryl M. Woodin, Partner • Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department Toronto • 416.777.6550 • woodinc@bennettjones.com Julia E. Schatz, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4665 • schatzj@bennettjones.com Ethan Z. Schiff, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5513 • schiffe@bennettjones.com