Bell Temple LLP

Coverage, accident benefits and priority disputes

Insurers and insureds retain the firm for coverage opinions on the duty to defend or indemnify, bad faith and policy exclusions, and it handles disputes over life, disability and critical illness coverage. Its accident benefits group, co-chaired by Lora Castellucci, defends claims at the Licence Appeal Tribunal and takes on priority and loss transfer matters heard in private arbitration.

Bodily injury defence

Bell Temple defends injury claims arising from slip and falls, car crashes, food poisoning, construction accidents and bar altercations. For restaurant, bar and pub chains it defends over-serving claims and claims over fights between patrons or with staff and security.

Property losses and subrogation

Through property and subrogation groups co-chaired by Joseph Baldanza, the firm takes on first-party subrogated claims, fire and flood losses, construction defects and negligence claims under commercial general liability policies.

Medical malpractice and health discipline

Lisa Hamilton leads the firm's medical malpractice and health disciplines group, which defends practitioners, facilities and institutions in malpractice suits from small injury claims up to class proceedings, and Hamilton assists regulated health professionals in reviews before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. Hamilton also defends institutions facing sexual abuse allegations, many of them historic, and helps health care employers meet mandatory reporting duties during a crisis.

Construction disputes

The firm acts across the construction industry, for developers, owners, contractors, subtrades, suppliers, design professionals and insurers. Many disputes are settled through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, and Trevor Buckley has run adjudications under the Construction Act's prompt payment provisions.

Employment litigation

Bell Temple acts for employers and for employees in wrongful dismissal, workplace harassment, termination negotiations and human rights matters.

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Municipal liability and appeals

Ontario municipalities retain the firm on public sector liability claims, including transit accidents and upkeep of parks and public grounds. Its appellate work runs through the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada.

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Class actions

A dedicated class action group handles several high-profile matters, using joint defence strategies where they fit to answer certification motions and reach multi-party settlements.

Professional liability

The firm defends errors and omissions claims, disciplinary hearings and regulatory inquiries for professionals such as lawyers, insurance brokers, real estate agents, architects and engineers.

Product liability

Manufacturers, distributors, retailers and suppliers turn to the firm on product claims ranging from failure to warn and breach of warranty to property damage, business interruption and personal injury.

Privacy and cybersecurity

Katherine Kolnhofer leads the firm's privacy, cybersecurity and technology law group and has Harvard training in cybersecurity risk management.

Shareholder and partnership disputes

Ryan Coughlin acts for companies, shareholders, partnerships and individuals in shareholder and partnership disputes and oppression claims.

Immigration matters

Ryan Truax's practice includes immigration and refugee law, and Tiffany Lan, licensed in both Ontario and New York, brings immigration law experience alongside civil litigation and corporate work.