ORP Law
6 lawyers · Established 1994 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 202 handling Insurance Law.
About ORP Law
ORP Law is a Toronto insurance defence litigation firm founded in 1994. The firm is based at 180 Dundas Street West in the city's downtown core and has six lawyers. Its practice centres on coverage opinions, professional liability defence, general liability, and environmental and property claims, mostly acting for insurers and insured professionals rather than for plaintiffs. The firm also maintains a media law practice, which it describes as one of the few in Canada dedicated specifically to that area, advising news organizations, publishers, and broadcasters on pre-publication review, defamation, and publication bans.
Founding partner Mark O'Donnell was called to the bar in 1984 after a commerce degree from McMaster University and a law degree from York University, and has practised insurance coverage and professional liability defence since. Senior partner Steven Canto, called in 2006, focuses on tort, occupiers' liability, and construction claims, while partner Doug Richardson was called to the Ontario bar in 1996 and has over 20 years of experience in media law. Partner Cameron Foster moved to Toronto after practising insurance defence and commercial litigation at a Halifax firm, and was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 2014 and the Ontario bar in 2016. Associate Shernaz Patel joined in 2022 after practising at an insurance defence firm in London, Ontario.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm was founded in 1994 and has practised insurance defence litigation in Toronto since.
- Senior litigation law clerk Donna Kelly has been with the firm since it was founded in 1994, and holds an Associateship (A.I.I.C.) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.
- One of the firm's partners holds the Certified Insurance Professional designation.
In the community
- Founding partner Mark O'Donnell serves as President of the Oakville Short Track Speed Skating Club.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 6
Brendan Hughes
Partner
Insurance LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Cameron Foster
Partner
Insurance Law
Doug Richardson
Partner
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionIntellectual Property
Mark O'Donnell
Founding Partner
Insurance LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Shernaz Patel
Associate
Insurance LawPersonal Injury
Steven Canto
Senior Partner
Insurance LawConstruction Law
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1984–2016 · median 20 years in practice 5 of 6 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Western Ontario (2), Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, University of British Columbia, University of Windsor, York University 6 of 6 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
ORP Law's office is in 180 Dundas Street West, a downtown Toronto office building within walking distance of Dundas Square, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the University of Toronto campus. The block sits near Chinatown and the Discovery District, an area better known for research institutions and university buildings than for law offices, and it's served directly by the Dundas and St. Patrick subway stations.
Frequently asked questions
- Does ORP Law represent injured plaintiffs or is it a defence firm?
- ORP Law works on the defence side of insurance litigation. It represents insurers and insured parties, including professionals such as brokers and real estate agents, rather than acting for plaintiffs bringing personal injury claims.
- Does ORP Law handle media law matters?
- Yes. The firm's practice includes a media law area, which it describes as one of the few in Canada dedicated specifically to that field. It advises news organizations, publishers, and broadcasters on pre-publication review, defamation defence, and publication bans.
- What is a coverage opinion, and does ORP Law provide them?
- A coverage opinion is legal advice on whether an insurance policy responds to a particular claim. ORP Law's lawyers provide coverage opinions and advice to insurers on complex coverage questions.
- How long has ORP Law been practising in Toronto?
- The firm was founded in 1994 and has operated from Toronto since then, focused on insurance-related defence work.
- Where is ORP Law's office located?
- ORP Law's office is at 180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1500, in downtown Toronto, near Dundas Square and the University of Toronto.
- Does ORP Law defend insurance brokers and real estate agents against professional liability claims?
- Yes. The firm's lawyers defend errors and omissions claims brought against insurance brokers and real estate agents, along with other professional liability matters.
Where to find them
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8 · 416-214-0606
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