Practice Area:
Health Law
Health Law
Meet
Anne E. Spafford
Health Law Lawyer
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk - a quote from Doug Larson.
Phone:
Fax:
416.867.2437
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Professional History
Managing Partner, Lerners LLP Toronto office (2020 to present)
Partner, Lerners LLP (2003 to present)
Associate lawyer, Lerners LLP (2001-2002)
Partner, Litigation Group, Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais) (1990-2000)
Associate lawyer, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae in Boston (1987-1988)
Representative Work
Extensive jury and judge alone trial experience in the medical malpractice area.
Regularly represents physicians in proceedings involving the College of Physicians of Ontario and in Hospital privileges matters.
Noteworthy Cases
Tahir v. Mitoff, 2019 ONSC 7298
Lewin-Gillies v. York Central Hospital, 2018 ONSC 883
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons) v. RST, 2016 ONCPSD 35
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons) v. Ng, 2016 ONCPSD 12
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario re: Dr. S.C. Disciplinary Hearing for physician charged with unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse
Guiterrez v. Colman 2013, two week jury trial involving the defence of an obstetrician
Beldycki v. Jaipargus et al: Medical malpractice jury trial
Aherne v. Chang, 2011 ONSC 2067 (Can LII)
Aherne v. Chang, 2011, 106 O.R. (3d) 297
Hudson v. Dr. Richard Austin, 2010 ONSC 2789
Goodwin v. Olupona, 2010 ONSC 5068 (CanLII)
Randall v. Lakeridge Health Oshawa, 2009 CanLII 6840
Cass v. Lai, 2007 ONCA 507 CanLII (C.A.)
Todd v. Fook, 2008 CanLII 52307
Burtch v. Barnes (2006), 80 O.R. (3d) 249 (C.A.)
Worthman v. Grant et al (2006), 80 O.R. (3d) 365 (Div. Ct.)
Richards v. Catney, [2005] O.J. 1159
Oswald v. Kortan, [2004] O.J. No. 3668
Cote v. Peddle, [2003] O.J. 1359
Newton v. Ontario, [2001] O.J. 3471
Rath v. Hamilton Health Sciences Corp, WSIAB decision 321/99
Mercurio et al. v. Rizza (1998), 39 O.R. (3d) 728
Achievements
Recognized in Chambers Canada in the area of Healthcare - Contentious (2021-2022)
Benchmark Canada, Litigation Star (2015-2020) - Recognized in the following areas: Health and Insurance (2015-2020); Dispute Resolution (2020)
Recognized in Chambers Canada in the area of Healthcare law (2020)
Ranked in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Medical Negligence (represents defendants) (2014-2022)
Selected by her peers to be included in Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law, Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Professional Malpractice Law
Ontario Review Board, Legal Member and Alternate Chair
University of Toronto Instructor Trial Advocacy
Skills Instructor for The Advocates’ Society
Selected Presentations/Publications
The Advocates’ Society: Spring Symposium, Demonstration and Discussion on Expert testimony, 2019
"Demonstration & Discussion: What Category of Expert is Your Opponent Calling and Why Does it Matter?", The Advocates' Society 18th Annual Spring Symposium Program, April 24, 2019
The Advocates' Society: Exercising Professionalism and Civility, Co-Chair December 2018
The Law Society of Ontario: Best Practices in Medical Negligence Cases, Speaker, 2018
The Advocates' Society: Exercising Professionalism and Civility, Co-Chair December 2017
The Advocates’ Society: Administrative Tribunal Advocacy, Co-Chair and Speaker 2017
The Advocates’ Society: Objection Your Honour, June 2016
The Advocates’ Society: Trial from A to Z, February 2016
Ontario Hospital Association: Medico-legal aspects of Psychiatric Emergencies, 2016
The Advocates' Society: Women in Litigation Symposium, Co-chair 2015
The Advocates’ Society Courthouse Series: Marshalling the Evidence, February 27, 2014
Law and Mental Disorder: A Comprehensive and Practical Approach, Irwin Law 2013, Contributor
The Advocates’ Society, “Opening Statements”, demonstration and panel discussion, December 10, 2013
Osgoode Professional Programme, “Current and Emerging Issues on Medical Practice”, part of the Personal Injury Update, September 27, 2013
Osgoode Hall Law School Master’s Programme, Trial Advocacy, February 23, 2013
The Advocates’ Society, “Cross-Examination Strategies”, January 30, 2013
Osgoode Professional Programme, “Medical Malpractice”, January 22, 2013
Current and Emerging Issues in Medical Malpractice, Osgoode Hall Professional Development Fifth Annual Update on Personal Injury Law, 2009
Medical Directors and the Law, Annual Conference of Geriatric Medicine, 2009
Legal Risk Management for Nurses, 2007
Canadian Institute Obstetrical Malpractice, 2004 and 2007
Hospital Employment Law for the 21st Century, presented by the Ontario Hospital Association, April 1999
Hospital Liability-Hot Topics, presented by the Ontario Hospital Association, May 1999
Memberships
Member, Board of Directors, The Advocates' Society
Canadian Bar Association
Past Member, Board of Directors, Wychwood Park Ratepayers Association
Education
B.Sc.(Nursing) Université Laval, (1983)
Called to the Massachusetts Bar (1987)
LL.B. and B.C.L. McGill University Faculty of Law (1987)
Admitted to Ontario Bar (1990)
LL.M. conferred, The University of Toronto (2000)
Personal Information
Anne is bilingual (fluent in French)
Professional History
Professional History
Managing Partner, Lerners LLP Toronto office (2020 to present)
Partner, Lerners LLP (2003 to present)
Associate lawyer, Lerners LLP (2001-2002)
Partner, Litigation Group, Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais) (1990-2000)
Associate lawyer, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae in Boston (1987-1988)
Professional History
Managing Partner, Lerners LLP Toronto office (2020 to present)
Partner, Lerners LLP (2003 to present)
Associate lawyer, Lerners LLP (2001-2002)
Partner, Litigation Group, Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais) (1990-2000)
Associate lawyer, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae in Boston (1987-1988)
Representative Work
Representative Work
Representative Work
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
Achievements
Achievements
Achievements
Selected Presentations/Publications
Selected Presentations/Publications
Selected Presentations/Publications
Memberships
Memberships
Memberships
Education
Education
Education
Personal Information
Personal Information
Personal Information
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2025 Lerners LLP. All rights reserved.