Brown & Burnes
6 lawyers · Established 1998 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 202 handling Insurance Law.
About Brown & Burnes
Brown & Burnes is a Toronto law firm that limits its practice to insurance related litigation, acting mainly for insurers. Its history goes back to 1964, when E. Lyle Brown, Q.C. began a career with an insurance litigation firm before founding Brown & Forbes in 1980. John Burnes joined that firm as a partner in 1988, and in 1998 the two lawyers formed the partnership of Brown & Burnes. The firm still practices from a Bay Street office in downtown Toronto.
The firm's lawyers handle motor vehicle accident, occupiers' liability, product liability, professional negligence, condominium liability, and insurance coverage matters, and they've appeared before the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, and other Ontario tribunals. Senior partner John Burnes completed the Harvard Mediation Workshop through the Advocates' Society in 1995, and the firm also offers mediation services alongside its litigation practice. Outside the office, lawyers at the firm have taken on volunteer roles with organizations including the Banting Research Foundation, Mary Centre, and the East York Foundation.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- E. Lyle Brown, Q.C. was called to the bar in 1964 and began a career with an insurance litigation firm.
- Lyle Brown founded the law firm of Brown & Forbes in 1980.
- John Burnes joined Brown & Forbes as a partner in 1988.
- Lyle Brown and John Burnes formed the partnership of Brown & Burnes in 1998.
- John Burnes completed the Harvard Mediation Workshop through the Advocates' Society in 1995.
- John Burnes chaired the Insurance Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association in 2007 and 2008.
- Adrian King has served on the Council of the Ontario Bar Association for three consecutive terms since 2008 and chaired its Awards Committee in 2011 and 2012.
In the community
- Senior partner John Burnes served as Chairman of the Banting Research Foundation from 2000 to 2009.
- John Burnes served as President of Mary Centre, a non-profit that supports adults and seniors with developmental challenges, from 2007 to 2009, and continues as an active volunteer there.
- Adrian King has served as a Director of the East York Foundation since 2005, an organization dedicated to protecting the culture, assets, and heritage of the former Borough of East York.
- Grant Walsh served on the Ontario Bar Association's Insurance Law Section Executive from 2008 to 2011 and has spoken at continuing legal education programs on occupiers' liability claims.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 6
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1985–2024 · median 20 years in practice 5 of 6 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Windsor (2), Osgoode Hall Law School, Queen's University, University of Ottawa, University of Western Ontario 6 of 6 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office sits at Bay and Richmond in Toronto's Financial District, inside a 33 storey building connected to the city's PATH network. The Ontario Court of Justice is among the building's near neighbours, which suits a firm whose lawyers spend much of the week in litigation. With PATH and Queen subway station close by, clients and claims handlers arriving from outside the city can reach the office without a car.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Brown & Burnes represent people who've been injured, or only insurance companies?
- Brown & Burnes acts primarily for insurers. The firm's litigators defend motor vehicle accident, occupiers' liability, product liability, and other insurance related claims rather than represent injured plaintiffs.
- What kinds of claims does Brown & Burnes handle?
- The firm's practice covers motor vehicle accident and tort claims, occupiers' liability, product liability, professional negligence, condominium liability, builder's risk and construction disputes, environmental issues, and insurance coverage and subrogation matters.
- How long has Brown & Burnes been practising insurance litigation?
- The firm's roots go back to 1980, when Lyle Brown, Q.C. founded Brown & Forbes. John Burnes joined as a partner in 1988, and the two formed Brown & Burnes in 1998.
- Does Brown & Burnes offer mediation services?
- Yes. Senior partner John Burnes completed the Harvard Mediation Workshop through the Advocates' Society in 1995 and mediates personal injury, property damage, and construction claims. Appointments can be booked online through the firm's mediations page.
- What courts and tribunals does Brown & Burnes appear before?
- The firm's lawyers have appeared before the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and the Landlord and Tenant Board, among other Ontario tribunals.
- Where is Brown & Burnes located?
- The firm's office is at 390 Bay Street, Suite 1400, in Toronto's Financial District, at Bay and Richmond.
Where to find them
390 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y2 · 416-366-7927
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