Toronto boutique Roy O’Connor has, since its genesis in 2004, etched itself a position as an independent player in the market, free to straddle a mix of plaintiff and defense capacities. In particular, David O’Connor receives a pronounced level of praise for his role in some of the most hotly contested class-action matters in Ontario. “David is basically running the firm these days from the plaintiff
class-action perspective,” observes a peer. “He has a great combination of youthful energy and beyond-his-years experience, which greatly behooves him in taking on cases that involve real risk, particularly in the plaintiff role. Many others have tried to do what he does and ended up looking like complete fools, just shooting in the dark and hoping their weak arguments take root. David, meanwhile, takes a very creative tack and it works.” O’Connor triumphed in his key position in the class-action claims of unpaid overtime against several banks and has more recently been working with a consortium of
leading plaintiffs’ counsel firms across Canada in the Volkswagen emissions class actions. Another peer observes, “David has certainly been fearless in taking on the banks, but he also has taken on cases of a much more diverse nature.” In one such recent example, in late 2020, O’Connor launched a case against the City of Thunder Bay for the use of sodium hydroxide in the water that allegedly led to pipes leaking. O’Connor also initiated a case against Bell concerning internet service plans in rural areas, for which the price paid is the same as those in urban areas while the service provided is alleged to be vastly inferior. Peter Roy continues to generate plaudits for his work in commercial and directors and officers liability insurance
work. “Peter Roy is a true trial lawyer,” voices a competitor. “He has made a name for himself as someone who attracts clients who are not afraid to roll the dice and take matters all the way if they feel they are suffering an injustice.” Roy recently triumphed in a significant appeal
on behalf of a prospector for royalties concerning diamonds. While the
two name partners command the most visibility, peers also weigh in for Sean Grayson and Adam Dewar. Grayson maintains a diverse portfolio that includes D&O class-action defense work as well as some “under-the-radar securities regulatory work.” Dewar attends to primarily class-action work, in the defense and plaintiff capacities. “Sean is excellent,” insists a peer. “I have been opposite him and it was a great match, it was such a pleasure working with him and sparring with him. He is so rock-solid, with great judgment.”
