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Practice Highlights

After 40 years with Thomson Rogers, Alan Farrer retired from the firm in March of 2019.

If you are seeking a consultation with another qualified lawyer in the following fields, click on the links:  Class Action, Commercial & Employment and Education Law.

Alan was called to the bar in 1981 and has been Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation for many years. His practice focused primarily on complex litigation and class actions. He had over 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer in Ontario and strived to use the skills developed over that time to resolve matters for clients quickly and economically.

Alan argued cases in all levels of Court in Canada, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Alan was the firm’s managing partner for over 20 years.

Education

  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law (1979)

Professional Accreditations and Affiliations

  • Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation)
  • American Association for Justice
  • Listed in The Best LawyersTM in Canada since 2013
  • Martindale-Hubbell Ranked Lawyer
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • The Canadian Bar Association
  • The American Association for Justice (Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
  • Past Executive Director of The Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Ontario

Additional Information

Alan and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of three adult children and have lived in Oakville, Ontario for over 30 years. When not practising law, Alan and Jennifer enjoy playing golf and travelling.

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  • The following are some of the more notable, precedent-setting trials and appeals that Alan Farrer has argued in the Superior Court of Justice, in the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada:

     

    Class Action Against the Manufacturers of Mirapex
    Certification of a National Class Action for persons suffering from impulse control disorders after taking Parkinson’s medication.

    Class Action Against the Directors of Farm Mutual Financial Services Inc.
    A Certification and Settlement Approval motion with respect to a class action against the directors of a bankrupt investment company that were alleged to have breached their duty to the customers of that company.  The $21.25 million settlement was approved. For details see: the reasons of Justice Perell.

    Haddad v. Kaitlin Group Ltd.

    In this Motion for Certification, Alan Farrer and Darcy Merkur persuaded the Court that the circumstances of this misrepresentation claim warranted resolution by way of a class action. In this case, home purchasers claim damages from a developer of a Subdivision for allegedly making misrepresentations about the nature of the Subdivision in its Marketing Materials. The case will now proceed as a class proceeding under the Ontario Class Proceedings Act. For details see: Haddad v. Kaitlin Group Ltd., 2008 CanLII 66627 (ON S.C.)

    Naylor Group v. Ellis-Don Construction 43 O.R. (3rd) 325(C.A.), [2001] S.C.J. 56 Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada (A tender, subcontractor action in which the courts awarded substantial damages for cancelling a subcontract after the contracts were awarded)

    Heald v. Toronto District School Board [2004] O.J. 714, Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal, Leave denied Supreme Court of Canada (Defence of a Defamation Claim for the Toronto School Board)

    Cowles v. ALS (2006) 83 O.R. 660, Ontario Court of Appeal (Liability for an animal attack)

    Zapfe v. Barnes [2003] O.J. 2856, 66 (O.R.) (3rd) 397 Ontario Court of Appeal (Limitation Periods)

    Ontario New Home Warranty Programme v. Chevron Chemical Co. [1999] O.J. 2245, Class Action – Superior Court of Justice (Class Action)

    LeCavalier v. Soreltex international [1991] O.J. 2554, Superior Court of Justice (Wrongful Dismissal)

    General Dynamics Corp. v. Velliotis [1987] O.J. 824, Superior Court of Justice (Contract for tender, bids)

  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2019

    We are proud to announce that 16 Thomson Rogers partners have been selected for inclusion in the 13th Edition of The Best LawyersTM in Canada. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Almost 87,000 industry … Continued

  • Thomson Rogers Takes the 2017 Summer Law Challenge – Canadian Blood Services

    Posted September 1, 2017

    On August 31, 2017, Thomson Rogers lawyers and staff proudly rolled up their sleeves and took part in the Canadian Blood Services 2017 Summer Law Challenge. Canadian Blood Services is looking to fill 25,000 appointments before Labour Day across Canada, to book an appointment, locate a clinic and to check eligibility, visit www.blood.ca  Related Posts: … Continued

  • RSM Canada Celebrates Canada’s 150 Anniversary by Interviewing a Number of Leaders in Canadian Business.

    Posted August 28, 2017

    Thomson Rogers’ Managing Partner Alan Farrer, discusses the importance of bringing Canadian values and a Canadian approach to law to achieve fairness for individuals affected by personal injury matters. “We bring those Canadian values into our day to day practice, the values of inclusiveness, of diversity, of social awareness and social liberalism. We like to … Continued

  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2018

    Posted August 22, 2017

    Published annually by Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in Canada is one of the country’s most highly regarded legal directories. Inclusion is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey and a thorough authentication process. We are proud to announce that the following 17 lawyers from Thomson Rogers were selected for inclusion in 12th Edition of The … Continued

  • Thomson Rogers presented with SCI Ontario’s John Gibbons Counsell Award

    Posted July 13, 2017

    Over the years we’ve worked with and supported many public and private agencies, which provide valuable and essential services to the public as well as many of our clients. Spinal Cord Injury Ontario is one of those agencies that we value and have a long and healthy relationship with. On June 22nd at the Spinal … Continued

  • Thomson Rogers gives back to organizations helping trauma victims

    InsideToronto.com | November 16, 2016

    After 80 years helping people who have been injured in accidents, personal injury law firm Thomson Rogers has given back to several organizations that provide support services for those same victims. Thomson Rogers marked its 80th anniversary by donating $80,000 to charities including the Ontario Brain Injury Association, The War Amps, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario … Continued

  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2017

    August 10, 2016

    Published annually by Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in Canada is one of the country’s most highly regarded legal directories. Inclusion is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey and a thorough authentication process. We are proud to announce that the following 14 lawyers from Thomson Rogers were selected for inclusion in 11th Edition of The Best … Continued

  • PIA Law Lawyers Launch Innovative New Personal Injury Module

    December 11, 2015

    Recently, lawyers representing all three of the PIA Law firms worked alongside LexisNexis Canada to help create the Lexis Practice Advisor’s Personal Injury (Ontario) module. The module was designed as a comprehensive guide on how to prepare a personal injury case. Lawyers from across Canada will now have an opportunity to access documents prepared for … Continued

  • PIA Law honoured at MADD Canada’s Sponsor Recognition Dinner

    Posted October 16, 2015

    On September 25, PIA Law attended MADD Canada’s Sponsor Recognition Dinner, kicking off their annual National Leadership Conference. During the dinner, PIA Law was recognized by MADD Canada for their ongoing support and commitment to MADD Canada and Strides for Change.

  • Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program

    Posted September 24, 2015

    Thomson Rogers lawyers and staff proudly support The Law Society Foundation’s Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program. The Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program has been providing hot, healthy community meals to some of Toronto’s neediest residents since 1998. Meals are served in the Law Society of Ontario’s cafeteria at 130 Queen Street West, Toronto. … Continued

  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2016

    August 24, 2015

    Published annually by Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in Canada is one of the country’s most highly regarded legal directories. Inclusion is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey and a thorough authentication process. We are proud to announce that the following 14 lawyers from Thomson Rogers were selected for inclusion in the 10th Edition of The … Continued

  • Potential Class Action lawsuit against striking teachers in Durham

    CityNews | May 20, 2015

    The Durham district high school teachers’ strike has frustrated many students and parents, prompting some to consider a class-action lawsuit against the teachers. Alan Farrer, managing partner at Thomson Rogers, comments on the legality of the strike and the chances of parents and students securing a successful outcome. See the full story here.  

  • TR Lawyers Feed the Hungry

    Posted September 25, 2014

    Thomson Rogers lawyers served breakfast this morning as part of the Toronto Lawyers Feed the Hungry program operated through the Law Society.

    If you would like more information about the program or would like to donate, please visit: Lawyers Feed the Hungry Toronto.

  • Funny… We Don’t Feel 75

    We’re extremely proud to announce that 2011 marks our 75th year in business. As any company will tell you, by the very nature of longevity alone, getting to this ripe old age is quite an achievement. But it also speaks volumes about the quality of the several generations of lawyers who have populated our firm … Continued

  • Moore v. Getahun – Experts, Reports and Consultations with Legal Counsel

    January 29, 2015

    The Ontario Court of Appeal released its much anticipated decision in Moore v. Getahun. The case dealt with circumstances surrounding allegedly negligent medical care following a motorcycle accident. However, it was the rulings by the trial judge about the legal effect of communications between trial counsel and an expert witness that made this case of … Continued

  • New PIA ads dispel misconceptions about personal injury lawyers

    Advocatedaily.com | October 13, 2013

    A series of new ads by the Personal Injury Alliance (PIA Law) are part of a marketing campaign, but are also aimed at dispelling some of the misconceptions people might have about personal injury lawyers as a result of flashy ads run by U.S. firms, Toronto lawyer Alan Farrer tells Lawyers Weekly. “It is, in large … Continued

  • Employment Issues Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

    Presented at the Back to School Conference with Thomson Rogers | September 30, 2010

    Questions relating to wrongful dismissal, applicable notice periods, mitigation and damages are generally legally well-defined and understandable. For the most part, employers have long recognized that getting in front of the wave by proposing a reasonable severance package avoids costly litigation and enhances the morale and productivity of remaining employees. For some reason, once disability issues are superimposed … Continued

  • Certification Not the Holy Grail Anymore

    Law Times | by Gretchen Drummie | April 6, 2009

    The certification stage in class ac­tion lawsuits has traditionally been considered the Holy Grail, signaling to successful plaintiffs that a settlement is probably just around the corner. But now, an increasing number of defendants aren’t rolling over at that point — instead they’re pushing cases towards trial. Article: Certification not the Holy Grail anymore

  • When Tigers Attack

    Ontario Trial Lawyers Association | June 15, 2007

    This paper discusses strategies for personal injury lawyers and other litigators to use in motions to strike jury notices in complex litigation. Sources include the Cowles v African Lion Safari case in which the plaintiff suffered catastrophic personal injuries in a tiger attack. Bengal Tigers are ferocious carnivores. They typically weigh 250 kilograms and stretch (from … Continued