Thompson Tooze McLean & Elkin
7 lawyers · Established 1948 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 202 handling Insurance Law.
About Thompson Tooze McLean & Elkin
Thompson Tooze McLean & Elkin (TTME) is a litigation firm in downtown Toronto that traces back to 1948, when Joseph Thompson and Clair Tooze, both Queen's Counsel, opened a practice representing insurers in Toronto's business core. Richard McLean joined as a partner in 1963 and later became partner emeritus. Mark Elkin joined the firm in 1992 after starting a career as an insurance claims adjuster, made partner in 1996, and has served as managing partner since 2001. The firm moved to its current St. Patrick Street offices in 2000, and it's been there since, in a building close to Toronto's University Avenue courthouse.
TTME focuses on insurance litigation, acting for insurance companies and individual clients in motor vehicle accident claims, occupiers' liability, and coverage disputes. Its practice list also covers less common niches such as equestrian law and sports, leisure, and entertainment liability, alongside wills and estates, landlord and tenant matters, and wrongful dismissal claims. The firm's lawyers have appeared before every level of Ontario court, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Senior lawyers at the firm mentor junior lawyers and articling students coming up through the practice.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Joseph Thompson and Clair Tooze, both Queen's Counsel, founded the firm in 1948.
- Richard McLean joined as a partner in 1963 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1971.
- Mark Elkin joined the firm in 1992, became a partner in 1996, and has served as managing partner since 2001.
- The firm moved to its current St. Patrick Street, Toronto offices in 2000.
- A senior lawyer at the firm was called to the Ontario bar in 1964 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1982, and has practised at the firm ever since.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 7
Deborah Lewis
Associate
Donald G. Martin, Q.C.
Senior Counsel to TTME
Insurance LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Mark Elkin
Managing Partner
Personal InjuryCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Marrium Salim
Associate
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionPersonal Injury
Patti Case
Director, Legal Affairs/Trial Team
Richard D. McLean, Q.C.
Senior Partner
Insurance LawPersonal Injury
Russell Laing
Associate
Personal Injury
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1959–2020 · median 35 years in practice 5 of 7 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (3), Queen's University, University of Kent 5 of 7 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
TTME's offices are in St. Patrick Tower, an 11 storey office building on St. Patrick Street in downtown Toronto's Kensington-Chinatown area, a short walk from Grange Park and Nathan Phillips Square. For a litigation firm the location works well: the firm has described its offices as steps from Toronto's University Avenue courthouse, where its lawyers appear regularly across every level of Ontario court.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of law does Thompson Tooze McLean & Elkin practice?
- TTME is a Toronto litigation firm focused on insurance defence, including motor vehicle accident claims, occupiers' liability, and coverage disputes. Its practice list also covers wills and estates, landlord and tenant matters, and wrongful dismissal claims.
- Does TTME only act for insurance companies, or can individuals be clients too?
- The firm represents insurance companies, but it's not limited to them. Individual clients are represented as well, particularly in personal injury and liability matters.
- Does the firm handle sports or equestrian related liability claims?
- Yes. Equestrian law and sports, leisure, and entertainment liability are both listed among the firm's practice areas, alongside its more typical occupiers' liability and personal injury work.
- How long has TTME been practising in Toronto?
- The firm was founded in 1948 by Joseph Thompson and Clair Tooze and has operated in downtown Toronto since, moving to its current St. Patrick Street offices in 2000.
- Where is TTME located, and is it close to the courts?
- The firm's offices are at 30 St. Patrick Street, Suite 1100, in downtown Toronto, close to the University Avenue courthouse where its lawyers regularly appear.
- Does TTME hire associates or articling students?
- The firm has brought on lawyers and articling students over the years and runs a mentorship program pairing senior lawyers with junior members of the team. Current openings are posted on the firm's careers page.
Where to find them
30 St. Patrick Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3A3
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