Defence Class Actions
Practice Area:
Defence Class Actions
Meet
Nada Nicola-Howorth
Defence Class Actions Lawyer
You have to know the facts. You have to know the substantive law. That's a given. In a class action you also have to stay on top of evolving law. The reward is finding new strategic options that others fail to see while looking at the same set of facts.
Phone:
Fax:
416.867.2436
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Finding Creative Solutions
Nada Nicola-Howorth is a partner in Lerners Toronto office with a practice focused on health law, professional regulation, and public entity defence.
With significant experience in litigation of all forms, Nada has worked in the defence of professionals before regulatory and administrative bodies. Nada represents clients in discipline, fitness to practise, and conduct matters at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. She has appeared before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Consent and Capacity Board, and has acted for parties with standing at coroners’ inquests. Having appeared at various levels of court in Ontario, Nada has extensive experience at trial and in appeals, with a particular interest in the defence of class action proceedings.
In her work for municipalities and other public entities, Nada has acted in matters involving claims relating to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, road non-repair, and other infrastructure issues, including class actions and mass tort litigation. She enjoys advising and representing clients on matters involving judicial review and is sensitive to the unique challenges that can present themselves in matters of public interest.
Nada is committed to finding creative solutions that advance the best interests of her clients. “I’m mindful of how every step in the process can impact the client — from a legal, financial, and reputational perspective,” says Nada. “This holistic approach informs my practice and allows me to provide my client with advice and recommendations that that they can be confident in.”
As a firm leader in the Health Law Group, Nada’s dedication to client and lawyer wellness has led to a number of initiatives focussed in this area. She is also committed to supporting women in the legal profession, and is involved with Life in Law, a free resource for all lawyers in Canada who self-identify as women and are seeking help balancing life and law.
Nada’s Services
Class action proceedings
Professional negligence
Administrative law
Municipal liability
Public entity defence
Property damage claims
Motor vehicle claims
Statutory accident benefits
Insurance fraud
Commercial general liability
Achievements
Selected by peers for inclusion in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for expertise in the areas of Medical Negligence & Professional Liability (2021-2025), Professional Regulation (2021-2023)
Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for Health Care Law, Medical Negligence, Professional Malpractice Law
Centennial Scholarship (1995-1996)
Patrick A. A. Ryan Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Trial Advocacy (1996-1997)
Represented the University of New Brunswick at the Laskin Moot Court Competition (1995-1996)
Dean's Honour List
Noteworthy Cases
Pugliese v. Chartwell, 2024 ONSC 1135 - Successfully defended the Regional Municipality of Durham in a class action certification motion arising from COVID-19 deaths and infections at long-term care homes during the pandemic.
Norman v Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, 2015 ONSC 3252 - Successfully defended physicians in a class action certification motion arising from the use of a chemotherapy drug.
Upchurch v. City of Oshawa, 2013 ONSC 3375; 2014 ONCA 425 - Successfully defended the City of Oshawa in the Superior Court and on appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal in this action involving by-law and building code issues.
Lancaster (Litigation guardian of) v. Santos [2011] O.J. No. 3706 (ON SC) - Successfully defended the County of Dufferin in this multimillion-dollar Third Party Action, involving issues of road design and signage.
Goodwin v. Olupona (2010, S.C.J.) - Successfully defended physicians in an action arising from the birth of an injured infant.
Nadolny v. The Region of Peel 2009 CanLII 51194 (ON SC) - Successfully defended the Region of Peel in the defence of a potential class action commenced on behalf of a group of retired and non-unionized employees of the Region of Peel. Among other things, the plaintiffs alleged breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligent misrepresentation arising from the Region’s implementation of a cost sharing plan with respect to health benefit premiums. Nada successfully defended the plaintiffs’ attempt to have the action certified.
Virgilio v. Watson (2003, S.C.J.) - Successfully defending a physician in this action arising from a death following abdominal surgery.
Selected Presentations/Publications
“Owners liable when injuries happen at the cottage,” AdvocateDaily.com, May 23, 2013
“Court rejects ‘certify now, worry later’ approach,” The Lawyers Weekly, October 30, 2009
Memberships
The Advocates' Society
Ontario Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Education
Admitted to Ontario Bar (1999)
Bachelor of Laws, University of New Brunswick (1997)
Bachelor of Commerce (Majors in Marketing and Management), Saint Mary’s University, (1994)
Finding Creative Solutions
Finding Creative Solutions
Nada Nicola-Howorth is a partner in Lerners Toronto office with a practice focused on health law, professional regulation, and public entity defence.
With significant experience in litigation of all forms, Nada has worked in the defence of professionals before regulatory and administrative bodies. Nada represents clients in discipline, fitness to practise, and conduct matters at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. She has appeared before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Consent and Capacity Board, and has acted for parties with standing at coroners’ inquests. Having appeared at various levels of court in Ontario, Nada has extensive experience at trial and in appeals, with a particular interest in the defence of class action proceedings.
In her work for municipalities and other public entities, Nada has acted in matters involving claims relating to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, road non-repair, and other infrastructure issues, including class actions and mass tort litigation. She enjoys advising and representing clients on matters involving judicial review and is sensitive to the unique challenges that can present themselves in matters of public interest.
Nada is committed to finding creative solutions that advance the best interests of her clients. “I’m mindful of how every step in the process can impact the client — from a legal, financial, and reputational perspective,” says Nada. “This holistic approach informs my practice and allows me to provide my client with advice and recommendations that that they can be confident in.”
As a firm leader in the Health Law Group, Nada’s dedication to client and lawyer wellness has led to a number of initiatives focussed in this area. She is also committed to supporting women in the legal profession, and is involved with Life in Law, a free resource for all lawyers in Canada who self-identify as women and are seeking help balancing life and law.
Finding Creative Solutions
Nada Nicola-Howorth is a partner in Lerners Toronto office with a practice focused on health law, professional regulation, and public entity defence.
With significant experience in litigation of all forms, Nada has worked in the defence of professionals before regulatory and administrative bodies. Nada represents clients in discipline, fitness to practise, and conduct matters at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. She has appeared before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Consent and Capacity Board, and has acted for parties with standing at coroners’ inquests. Having appeared at various levels of court in Ontario, Nada has extensive experience at trial and in appeals, with a particular interest in the defence of class action proceedings.
In her work for municipalities and other public entities, Nada has acted in matters involving claims relating to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, road non-repair, and other infrastructure issues, including class actions and mass tort litigation. She enjoys advising and representing clients on matters involving judicial review and is sensitive to the unique challenges that can present themselves in matters of public interest.
Nada is committed to finding creative solutions that advance the best interests of her clients. “I’m mindful of how every step in the process can impact the client — from a legal, financial, and reputational perspective,” says Nada. “This holistic approach informs my practice and allows me to provide my client with advice and recommendations that that they can be confident in.”
As a firm leader in the Health Law Group, Nada’s dedication to client and lawyer wellness has led to a number of initiatives focussed in this area. She is also committed to supporting women in the legal profession, and is involved with Life in Law, a free resource for all lawyers in Canada who self-identify as women and are seeking help balancing life and law.
Nada’s Services
Nada’s Services
Nada’s Services
Achievements
Achievements
Achievements
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
Selected Presentations/Publications
Selected Presentations/Publications
Selected Presentations/Publications
Memberships
Memberships
Memberships
Education
Education
Education
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.