Jessica Roher
Jessica Roher is a determined, practical, and client-centred litigator. Her diverse practice spans commercial litigation, employment law, professional discipline, and public law. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario as well as administrative tribunals.
Prior to joining Paliare Roland, Jessica honed her litigation skills at a prominent litigation firm in Toronto and as a clerk at the Ontario Court of Appeal. Jessica graduated as the silver medalist at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2015.
Jessica volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario and West Scarborough Community Legal Aid Services, where she previously served as a long-time board member. Prior to practicing law, Jessica worked on human trafficking issues for the International Organization for Migration during stints in Switzerland and Ghana, and sat on the board of Sojourn House, a refugee shelter.
Education
- LawVision Group, Legal Project Management, 2017
- Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D., 2015
- London School of Economics, MSc (Conflict Studies), 2009
- University of King's College, BA (Honours - International Development Studies), 2008
Bar Admissions
- Ontario, 2016
Professional Affiliations
- The Advocates' Society
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
Awards and Honours
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Ones to Watch in Canada 2024 - Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
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Best Lawyers in Canada - Ones to Watch - Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
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Osgoode Hall Law School - Silver Medal - 2015
Representative Work
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Abbasbayli v. Fiera Foods Company: Counsel to the respondent employer in an appeal of a decision on a motion to strike in a wrongful termination action. The appeal clarified the law concerning director liability for unpaid wages (2021 ONCA 95).
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Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Kunynetz: Counsel to the appellant physician in a successful appeal before the Divisional Court that overturned the revocation decision of the College of Physicians and Surgeons and reinstated the physician’s licence to practice medicine (2019 ONSC 4300).
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Rutman v. Rabinowitz: Counsel to the successful respondent (plaintiff) in an appeal concerning Internet defamation. The Court of Appeal clarified the law of concerted action liability and upheld a very large damages awards for what it characterized as a prolonged, persistent and vicious Internet campaign (2016 ONSC 5864).
Community Involvement
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Volunteer – Pro Bono Ontario – 2021 to present
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Former Board Member and Chair of the Board – Sojourn House – one of Toronto’s largest refugee shelters and settlement agencies – 2011 – 2017
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Former Board Member and Vice President – West Scarborough Community Legal Services – 2015 – 2021
Publications
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Co- author – Rule 53: Evidence at Trial – Noel Semple, ed, Civil Procedure and Practice in Ontario (CanLII, forthcoming in 2021)
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Zoning Out Discrimination: Working Towards Housing Equality in Ontario – 25 Journal of Law and Social Policy 26 – March 2016
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Co- author – Introduction: Symposium on Transnational Criminal Law – 6:1 Transnational Legal Theory 1 – September 2015