Deborah Berlach
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Deborah Berlach

Tel: 416.594.4671

Central to Debbie’s practice approach is her ability to skillfully root out the key problems that require resolution by considering the issues, her clients’ views and opinions, the prevailing law and, ultimately, the desired outcome.

Informations about

Biography

DEBORAH BERLACH is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer currently focusing on professional liability matters and class actions. Central to her practice approach is her ability to skillfully root out the key problems that require resolution by considering the issues, her clients’ views and opinions, the prevailing law and, ultimately, the desired outcome.

She conducts her practice in a calm and collegial fashion, recommending mediated settlements when appropriate, while also recognizing that in some instances, the court room is necessary for resolution. As such, Debbie has conducted many trials, including jury trials, and argued many appeals, both from her own trials and others. In addition, she has advocated her clients’ rights before administrative tribunals including the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Debbie is a proud graduate of McGill Law School and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984. She has practiced continuously since her call. From very early on in her career she has enjoyed an insurance-based practice, which includes litigating professional liability claims, commercial disputes, monitoring and defending class action, and advising on and litigating coverage disputes. In later years, much of her trial work has been focused on complex medical malpractice claims, coverage applications and class actions.

Through the years, she has presented as a speaker and/or moderator at many client seminars, professional organization seminars, the Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, and most notably, the annual Stieber Berlach LLP Insurance Law Update.

Representative Work

  • Sandy Leather Fashion Ltd. v. Continental Insurance Company, [1997] O.J. No. 353 ONCA
  • Simpson v. Consumer Association of Canada, 1999 (ON SC) 14880, [2001] O.J. No. 5058 ONCA
  • Herbert v. City of Brantford, 2012 ONCA
  • Akey v. Encon Insurance, 2002 OAC 283
  • Degennaro v. Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, 2011 ONCA 319
  • Omerod v. Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, 2013 ONSC 1499
  • Pullano v. Hinder and Magna International, 2019 ONSC 2362
  • Pullano v. Hinder, 2021 ONSC 4714 (Div. Court)
  • Pullano v. Hinder, 2022 ONCA 418 (Court of Appeal)
  • Fisher v. Victoria Hospital, 2007 CanLII 3482 reversed 2008 ONCA 759
  • Fisher v. Victoria Hospital, 2012 ONSC 320
  • Oliveira v. Aviva, 2018 ONCA 321
  • Schneider v. St. Clair Conservation Authority, [2007] O.T.C Uned. R52, reversed on appeal (2009) 256 OAC 52
  • The Rep Room London Inc. v. Dr. Alexander Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Middlesex-London Health Unit, File 21-HPP-0042
  • Red Carpet Inn Inc v. Toronto Region Conservation Authority, 2004 Can LII 185 (CA)
  • Class Actions
  • Tony Di Paolo ats Lorriman, Court File No. CV-13-475050-00CP
  • Lina Rizzi v. Dr. Vivek (Vick) Handa et al. v. Fadwa Balestra et al., Court File No. CV-17-577970-00CPA1
  • Sondhi v. Deloitte, 2017 ONSC 2122
  • Sherry-Lynn Daniells v. North Bay Regional Health Centre et al., Court File No. CV-13-5565-CP
  • Katelyn Lowe et al. v. Dr. Meikle Dentistry Professional Corporation et al. v. Board of Health for the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit; Court File No. CV-17-579325-CPA1
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. OMNI Health Care et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Rekai Centre et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Holland Christian Homes et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Markhaven Inc. et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. ATK Care et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Kristus Darzs Latvian Homes et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Jarlette & Meadow Park London et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Salvation Army et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Sharon Farms & Enterprises et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Revera, Stoneridge & Carlingview et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. St. Demetrius (Ukrainian Catholic) Development Corporation et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Steeves & Rozema et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Lutheran Homes o/a Trinity Village Care Centre et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Responsive Group, Ina Grafton, Rykka et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Bethany Lodge et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. Vision ’74 Inc. et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • Kathryn Robertson et al. v. PeopleCare Inc. et al., Court File No. CV-20-00648597-00CP
  • George Head et al., v 859530 Ontario Inc. et al., Court File No. CV-21-00000142-00CP
  • John Murdock v. Sunnycrest Nursing Homes Ltd., Court File No. CV -230001103-0000
  • Jennifer Penney et al. v. Oakwood Park Lodge and Maryban Holdings Ltd., Court File  No. CV-2200691555-00CP

Education

  • L.L.B., McGill University, 1982
  • B.C.L., McGill University, 1982
  • B.A., McGill University, 1978
  • Admitted to the Ontario Bar, 1984