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Phone: 416-868-3243
Admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1974 and Certified by the LSUC as a Specialist in Civil Litigation
*David R. Neill Law Professional Corporation
Practice Highlights
Clients with catastrophic injuries can count on a sympathetic, but objective, appraisal when they meet David Neill, one of Canada's most experienced personal injury litigators. David has a distinctive background, having defended insurance companies during the first 15 years of his practice. Now, he works almost exclusively to help the injured, mostly motor vehicle accident victms, secure compensation for their pain and suffering.
"Most of my clients can never recover all that they have lost, but I feel great personal satisfaction in helping them get a financial settlement that will make their lives somewhat easier," says David, who has been with Thomson, Rogers since 1974.
"I am prepared to take on cases that have high risk," adds David, "but I would rather refuse a case that has no hope than put a client through the further ordeal of an unsuccessful law suit. But if there is merit in the case, I'm inclined to take the risk."
Among David's specialities are cases involving traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
David takes pride in helping people who really need it, especially since access to the justice system is so difficult for so many people."
David's years defending insurers makes him a more effective litigator. "I know what makes for a successful claim," he says. As well, David hasn't "burned any bridges" with the insurers he once helped, a factor that can help facilitate a successful negotiated settlement.
David has the honour of having been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2011 in the field of personal injury litigation (Copyright 2009 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.).
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Guelph (1969)
- Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School (1972)
- ADR Workshop, University of Windsor Faculty of Law/Stitt Feld Handy Houston ADR Ltd. (2000)
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability
- Municipal Liability
- Insurance Policy Interpretation and Coverage Opinions
Professional Activities and Affiliations
- The Advocates’ Society
- The Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
- The Medico-Legal Society of Toronto
- Past Director of The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA)
- Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
- Best Lawyers® in Canada
- Thomson, Rogers has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 5 Personal Injury Law Firms by Canadian Lawyer Magazine
- Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
David R. Neill and Stacey Stevens, Developing Best Practices for Dealing with Experts, presented at an In-House CLE Seminar on January 26, 2011.
David R. Neill, Injurious Falls on Stairways: A Major Public Health Problem Deserving a New Approach by Lawyers, at the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association's "2010 Fall Conference" on October 28-29, 2010.
David R. Neill, Litigating Personal Injury Damages, panel member at the Canadian Institute's "What is the Injury Worth" seminar on February 23 and 24, 2006..
David R. Neill, Current Developments in Material, presented at the Canadian Institute's "Misrepresentation Insurance Litigation" seminar on June 22, 2005.
David R. Neill, Cross Canada update on Damage Awards, presented at the Canadian Institute's "Insurance Litigation" seminar on June 24, 2004.
David R. Neill, Latest Developments in Damage Awards, presented at the Canadian Institute's "Insurance Litigation" seminar on June 16, 2003.
David R. Neill, Innovative, Tactical and Practical Discovery strategies to make the case for Punitive Damages, panelist at the Canadian Institute's "Litigating Damages" seminar on September 19 -20, 2002.
David R. Neill, Sidewalks, Pools, Arenas and Other Public Facilities: Trends, Developments and Strategies for Minimizing Exposure, presented at the "Eighth Annual Provincial/Municipal Government Liability" seminar on February 21 -22, 2002, .
David R. Neill, Police Department Liability - What Municipalities Need to Know, presented at the Canadian Institute's "Seventh Annual Provincial/Municipal Government Liability" seminar in 2001 .
David R. Neill, Policing in Ontario, Strategy for the New Millennium, panelist at the "Sixth Annual Provincial/Municipal Government Liability" seminar on February 21 22, 2000.
David R. Neill, New Issues for Police Force Exposure, presented at the Canadian Institute's "Fifth Annual Provincial/Municipal Government Liability" seminar on February 25 -26, 1999. Joint presentation with Jordan Solway, Counsel, Federal Department of Justice, Ontario Regional Office.
David Neill & Caroline Meyer successfully represented a driver of a motor vehicle who lost control of his vehicle and collided with a utility pole. Liability was apportioned 50% against the municipality and contractor for failure to maintain the road in good repair. This resulted in a damage award of $850,000.00 to the plaintiff.
Dear Counsel:
The above captioned lawsuit was recently the subject of a private mediation. When the session ended, this litigation was resolved. Minutes of settlement were executed by both parties, reflecting the state of affairs. I have complete confidence that this will come to pass.
I cannot leave this case, without re-iterating, that this was the most professionally negotiated mediation that I have been privileged to conduct. I have the highest esteem for good lawyers. I respect those lawyers who are not afraid to talk to each other, and who are not afraid to tell each other what they think the case is about. I congratulate everyone.
I thank you for giving me the privilege of mediating this case with you and I certainly look forward to mediating with you again in the near future.
Yours truly,
P. Iacono, Q.C.
Dear David,
I don't know what most people feel when something like this ends, but for us it is a mixture of relief but also a finality of the injuries and permanence of all that goes with it.
Much of what you have done went behind the scenes making it difficult to realize just what you have done for us.
I believe that all the people we worked with were sent to us for a reason. Out of all the lawyers that could have been assigned to us, you were the one chosen.
I thank you for your work, patience and time. In this day and age people forget to say thanks thinking instead that people are paid for what they do, and that somehow replaces the courtesy of saying how much their work has meant.
I hope this card is some small acknowledgement of our appreciation for your work and the chance to get to know you over the past 7 years.
No matter who is at fault when someone is injured, especially a child, to the people who love them it only matters that someone cares enough to fight for them.
Thanks for being one of those people
- Lorente Family
Dearest David,
Thank you very much for your advice, and assistance in the past years. Our family truly appreciates your time & thoughts. May God bless you and your family.
- G. K.
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