Linda R. Rothstein
Linda Rothstein is recognized as one of Canada’s most accomplished litigators and advocates, with a practice spanning class actions and commercial litigation, professional regulation and administrative law, appeals, and more. In 2021, she was awarded the Advocates’ Society Medal – the highest expression of esteem which the Society can convey to one of its members. She often works with other law firms to resolve internal disputes, and has acted as counsel on countless high-profile cases and public inquiries, including the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology. Linda is frequently engaged as a mediator and arbitrator in a range of disputes.
Linda has earned several other accolades throughout her career, and has been awarded the Toronto Lawyers Association Award of Distinction, and the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation. She has served in board and leadership roles at such professional organizations as the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, The Law Society of Upper Canada, and The Advocates’ Society.
Education
- University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, LL.B., 1980
Bar Admissions
- Ontario, 1982
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers: Fellow (2002 to Present)
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers: Fellow (2012 to Present); Member of Board of Directors (2012 to 2018)
- Litigation Counsel of America: Fellow (2011 to Present)
- Law Foundation of Ontario Board of Trustees: Chair (2016 to Present); Member (2014 to 2015)
- Public Health Ontario Board of Directors: Vice Chair (June 2019 to November 2021); Vice-Chair and Chair (2017 to 2021); Member (2014 to 2016)
- Harold G. Fox Education Fund Board of Trustees: Member (2013 to Present)
- The Law Society of Upper Canada: Toronto Regional Bencher (2007 to 2015); Vice-Chair, Hearing Division, Law Society Tribunal (2013 to 2015); Co-Chair, Mentoring and Advisory Services Proposal Task Force (2014); Co-Chair, Tribunal Committee (2010 to 2011); Vice-Chair, Finance Committee (2010-2011); Vice-Chair, Appeal Panel (2011); Chair, Professional Regulation Committee (2008 to 2010)
- The Advocates' Society: President (2005 to 2006); First Vice-President (2004 to 2005); Treasurer (2003 to 2004); Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Collegiality, Mentoring Membership (2003 to 2004); Board of Directors (1998 to 2003); Vice-Chair, Education Committee (2000 to 2002); Chair, Professional Conduct Committee (1998 to 1999); Faculty Member, The Advocates' Society Institute, Faculty Training Program (1993 to 1998)
- Law Society Compensation Fund: Referee (Adjudicator) (1994 to 2000)
- Intensive Trial Advocacy Course, Osgoode Hall Law School: Instructor and Team Leader (for practicing lawyers) (1988 to 2001)
- Osgoode Hall Law School: Lecturer and Instructor in Trial Advocacy (for law students) (1989 to 1994)
- The Law Society of Upper Canada, Bar Admission Course in Civil Litigation and Trial Advocacy: Instructor (for bar admission students) (1987 to 1990)
Practice Areas
- Appeals and Judicial Review
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Constitutional Litigation
- Defamation, Libel and Slander
- Employment Law
- Human Rights
- Judicial Inquiries and Inquests
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Professional Discipline and Regulation
- Public and Administrative Law
- Universities
Awards and Honours
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Lexpert Special Edition on Litigation - Recognized as a leader in Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Regulatory & Public Law, Class Actions - 2023
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Chambers Canada - Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Plaintiff) Nationwide – Canada, Litigation - Administrative & Public Law Ontario
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Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 - Administrative and Public Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Labour and Employment Law
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Benchmark Litigation - Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation - 2023
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Benchmark Litigation - Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation, Litigation Star - 2022
Representative Work
Linda has a diverse practice, encompassing many areas of civil and administrative litigation, with particular expertise in class actions, commercial litigation, professional liability, public law and appeals.
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Lead counsel to the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review – 2015 to 2016
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Commission Counsel to the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario (the Goudge Inquiry) – 2007 to 2008
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Lead counsel for the City of Toronto in the Computer Leasing Inquiry – 2002 to 2005
Publications
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Co-author – Lawyers’ Professional Liability, 3rd ed. – LexisNexis Canada – 2013 (with S. Grant and S. Campbell)
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Co-chair – Modern Law of Damages – Law Society of Upper Canada Special Lectures – April 2005
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Balancing Probabilities: The Overlooked Complexity of the Civil Standard of Proof – Law Society of Upper Canada Special Lectures – April 2003
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Co-author – Disposition without Trial: A Review of the Application of Ontario’s Rule 20 and 21 – National Annual Review on Civil Litigation 2001, M.G. Cochrane and Justice T. Archibald, eds. (Carswell, 2001), pp. 69-81 (with Megan Shortreed)
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Co-authored – Professional Liability(ch. 9) – in D. Lundy, G. MacKenzie and M. Newbury, Barristers & Solicitors in Practice Butterworths – 1998 (with S. Grant)
Presentations
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The Advocates’ Society podcast, May 2021
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Co-chair – Modern Law of Damages – Law Society of Upper Canada Special Lectures – April 2005
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Balancing Probabilities: The Overlooked Complexity of the Civil Standard of Proof – Law Society of Upper Canada Special Lectures – April 2003