LEXPERT • December 2014 | www.lexpert.ca | 43
CLASS ACTION
Senior partner practicing civil litigation. Extensive trial and appellate experience at all
levels, including Supreme Court of Canada. Specializes in class proceedings; product lia-
bility, including design and manufacturing issues in automotive, aerospace and consumer
products industries; commercial disputes; complex multiparty litigation; and reputation
management. Elected to BLG's inaugural National Council and Toronto Management
Committee (2000–2008). Toronto Regional Leader of BLG's litigation practice (2005).
Toronto Regional Managing Partner (2006–2008). Chair of BLG's National Council
(2008). At forefront with innovative settlement techniques. Published widely. Created
and led advocacy training programs for LSUC, e Advocates' Society and University of
Toronto. Martindale-Hubbell AV rating. Selected by peers for inclusion in e Best Law-
yers in Canada and recognized as Toronto Product Liability Law Lawyer of the Year. Also
recognized in e Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Cana-
da, Who's Who Legal: Canada.
Sonia Bjorkquist has extensive experience defending class actions and commercial arbi-
trations, with a focus on advising clients on strategies for managing risks and cross-border
issues in multi-jurisdictional litigation. Bjorkquist defends complex product liability
claims involving manufactured products, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and medi-
cal devices, and she litigates business-critical issues related to commercial agreements, di-
rectors' duties and shareholder remedies. Bjorkquist is ranked among Canada's top litiga-
tors in Chambers Global, Lexpert® and Best Lawyers, and is a frequent speaker and author.
Called to the Ontario Bar in 1997.
Chair of Torys' Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. Trial and appellate counsel
litigation practice, acting as counsel on a wide range of leading cases before all levels of
court in Canada and in international arbitrations. Chair, Touching Tiny Lives Founda-
tion; President, Fox Education Fund; Trustee, Foundation for International Arbitration
Advocacy, Geneva; President's Council, University of Ottawa; and Advisory Board, Eth-
ics and the Law, University of Toronto. Ranked by Lexpert® as one of Canada's top 25 cor-
porate litigators. Taught advocacy in North America and Europe, New Zealand, El Salva-
dor, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Brazil, India and Singapore. Awards include: Law Society
Medal; Advocates' Society Medal; Laidlaw Medal for Advocacy; Toronto Lawyers' Asso-
ciation Award of Distinction; OBA Award for Excellence; Meritas Tabaret Award, Uni-
versity of Ottawa; Fellow, ACTL, ISOB. Member, Common Law Honour Society, Uni-
versity of Ottawa. LLB (Gold Medalist), 1972, University of Ottawa. Ontario Bar, 1974.
Honorary LLD, 2014, University of Ottawa.
Robert
B. Bell
Borden Ladner
Gervais LLP
Tel: (416) 367-6160
Fax: (416) 361-2757
Toronto
Sonia L.
Bjorkquist
Osler, Hoskin &
Harcourt LLP
Tel: (416) 862-5876
Fax: (416) 862-6666
Toronto
Sheila R.
Block
Torys LLP
Tel: (416) 865-7319
Fax: (416) 865-7380
Toronto
rbell@blg.com
sbjorkquist@osler.com
sblock@torys.com
CLASS ACTION
