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Scott Maidment has over 20 years of advocacy experience before courts and arbitra-
tion tribunals throughout Canada. He is Co-chair of McMillan LLP's National Class
Action Practice and Co-chair of its Product Liability Group. Maidment has achieved
international recognition for his expertise in product liability litigation and class actions,
particularly in the life sciences sector. Reviewers have described him as a "quite brilliant
strategist" who "stands out" for his class-action work. He has appeared in the Chambers
and Partners Guide, e Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers
in Canada, Best Lawyers' Guide to the Legal Profession in Canada, e World's Leading
Product Liability Lawyers, e International Who's Who of Life Sciences Lawyers and e
International Who's Who of Product Liability Lawyers.
Michael Eizenga is Chair of Bennett Jones' Class Actions Practice. A fellow of the
ACTL, Eizenga is one of Canada's leading class-action litigators and is recognized
in Chambers Global, e Best Lawyers in Canada and e Canadian Legal Lexpert®
Directory, as well as e Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers
in Canada. Among other published works, Eizenga is co-author of Class Actions Law
and Practice. Eizenga is Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law,
teaching Class Actions. He has presented to organizations such as the International
Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, e Law Society of Upper Canada,
the Canadian Institute and e Advocates' Society. He was the former President of
e Advocates' Society and currently sits on the Board of the Toronto Rehabilitation
Foundation and War Child Canada.
Senior Partner in the Litigation Group. Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada
as Specialist in Civil Litigation. Many years' experience defending class actions and
serious product liability claims in Canada with cross-border issues, and working closely
with in-house and external lawyers from the US and other countries. One of a growing
but small group of lawyers that has led the defense of class-action common issues trials
in Canada. Recognized internationally as a leader in product liability (and life sciences)
defense: product liability "lawyer of the year" awards from Benchmark Canada (2013,
2014, 2015), LMG Life Sciences (2014, Canada) and Best Lawyers (2015, Toronto).
Currently lead counsel in Ontario and managing litigation nationally for some of the
world's largest manufacturers of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, medical
devices, consumer goods and transportation/construction vehicles. Frequent speaker
on class actions, life sciences and product liability matters, and guest lecturer on trial
advocacy. Member of PLAC, IADC and DRI.
Peter J. Pliszka acts as trial and appellate counsel before courts across Canada, including
the SCC. He is the Chair of Fasken's National Product Liability & Insurance Practice
Group. Pliszka's practice focuses on product liability and class actions, with extensive
involvement in cross-border litigation. Pliszka is regularly retained by US, European and
Asian companies sued in Canada, and works frequently with US counsel in parallel cross-
border lawsuits. His practice covers a wide array of products, including medical devices,
pharmaceuticals, food, cars, aircra, industrial machines, cell phones, sports equipment,
trains and various consumer products. He has substantial experience in international
jurisdictional disputes. Pliszka has acted as defense counsel in leading cases on the law
of jurisdiction over foreign parties, including the recent landmark SCC decision, which
established a new and beneficial (for defendants) test for determining when a Canadian
court may assume jurisdiction over a claim against a foreign defendant. He was called to
the Ontario Bar in 1989.
Scott
Maidment
McMillan LLP
Tel: (416) 865-7911
Fax: (416) 865-7048
Toronto
Michael A.
Eizenga
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (416) 777-4879
Fax: (416) 863-1716
Toronto
Gordon
McKee
Blake, Cassels &
Graydon LLP
Tel: (416) 863-3884
Toronto
Peter J.
Pliszka
Fasken
Martineau
DuMoulin LLP
Tel: (416) 868-3336
Fax: (416) 364-7813
Toronto
scott.maidment@mcmillan.ca
eizengam@bennettjones.com
gordon.mckee@blakes.com
ppliszka@fasken.com
PRODUCT LIABILITY
