Practice Area:
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Meet
Adam J. Patenaude
Specialty Risk and Insurance Lawyer
Practising in the area of insurance defence is a rewarding and challenging professional experience. The factual and legal scenarios change from day to day. We are able to pursue the defence of claims with the support of sophisticated clientele.
Phone:
Fax:
416.867.2410
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Executive Summary
Adam Patenaude is a partner in Lerners Toronto office and a member of the Health Law, and Specialty Risk and Insurance groups. When a dispute cannot be resolved outside of court, Adam draws on extensive trial experience in both the administrative arena and the civil courts to advance and protect the interests of his clients. “My favourite place to be is in the courtroom because I’m completely focused on winning the case,” he says.
Where a trial is not warranted, Adam builds strategies to reach favourable settlements for his clients in the quickest and least costly way possible.
Adam provides advice and representation on high stakes matters involving medical negligence, regulatory complaints, and disciplinary hearings. His insurance law practice focuses on coverage litigation, both defence and subrogated claims. Adam has also assisted clients on the plaintiff side with claims against government authorities.
“The constant challenge of learning new subject matter in the field of medicine, and working for clients you admire and respect, makes practising health law a tremendously rewarding experience,” says Adam. “I also enjoy the challenge of facing the new scenarios that arise day-to-day in my insurance defence practice.”
A father of three children, Adam has served the community as president of a local preschool for several years and as a competitive hockey coach.
Adam’s Services
General medical malpractice defence
College complaints and disciplinary defence
Municipality liability/public entity defence
Professional negligence claims
Property damage claims
General and commercial liability
Commercial insurance coverage
Noteworthy Cases
Regulatory Hearings and Civil Trials
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Wright, 2018. Defence of allegations of conduct unbecoming a physician related to use of social media.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Izzeldin, 2018. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Laity, 2018. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Beaney v. Lindsay Professional Building, 2017, Occupier’s Liability, jury trial.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Beairsto, 2017. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Chung, 2014. Defence of allegations of failing to maintain the standard of the profession, unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Singh, P. M., 2013. Defence of allegations of failing to maintain the standard of the profession in obstetrical care.
Watt v. Schwind, 2011, obstetrical malpractice, jury trial.
Dufferin v. Santos, 2011, allegations of negligent road design.
Divisional Court, Motion and Appeal Matters
Laity v. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, 2018. Mental Health Act Application.
Duggan v Lakeridge, 2017. Motion for further medical assessment, discovery and cross motion for summary judgment.
Mereweather v. Austin, 2011. Motion regarding application of Regulated Health Professions Act to production in civil actions.
Smyth v. Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, 2008, Divisional Court and Ontario Court of Appeal. Appeal on Hospital privileges dispute.
Achievements
Recognized in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in the area of medical negligence (2021-2025)
Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of medical negligence, health care law, and professional malpractice
Noteworthy Cases
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Tan, 2021. Defence of allegations of sexual abuse.
Graham v. Bridgepoint Health, 2025, defence of allegation of delay in diagnosis of infection.
Penate v. Martoglio, 2024, Obstetrical Malpractice jury trial and motion to discharge jury.
Newton v. Florence, 2025, Defence of allegation of delay in diagnosis of septic hip.
McKee v. Shahid, 2024, Motion to dismiss claim against psychiatrist, no duty of care.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Tan, 2024, Motion to Reopen hearing.
Kotorashvilli v. Lee, Defence of claim of surgical negligence.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Wright, 2018. Defence of allegations of conduct unbecoming a physician related to use of social media.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Izzeldin, 2018. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Laity, 2018. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Beairsto, 2017. Defence of allegations of unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Beaney v. Lindsay Professional Building, 2017, Occupier’s Liability, jury trial.
Duggan v Lakeridge, 2017. Motion for further medical assessment, discovery and cross motion for summary judgment.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Chung, 2014. Defence of allegations of failing to maintain the standard of the profession, unprofessional conduct and sexual abuse.
Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Singh, P. M., 2013. Defence of allegations of failing to maintain the standard of the profession in obstetrical care.
Watt v. Schwind, 2011, obstetrical malpractice, jury trial.
Laity v. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, 2018. Mental Health Act Application.
Mereweather v. Austin, 2011. Motion regarding application of Regulated Health Professions Act to production in civil actions.
Dufferin v. Santos, 2011, allegations of negligent road design.
Smyth v. Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, 2008, Divisional Court and Ontario Court of Appeal. Appeal on Hospital privileges dispute.
Selected Presentations/Publications
Memberships
The Advocates' Society
Law Society of Ontario
Canadian Bar Association
Ontario Bar Association
Education
Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2007)
Baccalaureate of Laws, Cum Laude, University of Ottawa (2006)
Bachelor of Journalism with Law, Carleton University (2000)
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Adam Patenaude is a partner in Lerners Toronto office and a member of the Health Law, and Specialty Risk and Insurance groups. When a dispute cannot be resolved outside of court, Adam draws on extensive trial experience in both the administrative arena and the civil courts to advance and protect the interests of his clients. “My favourite place to be is in the courtroom because I’m completely focused on winning the case,” he says.
Where a trial is not warranted, Adam builds strategies to reach favourable settlements for his clients in the quickest and least costly way possible.
Adam provides advice and representation on high stakes matters involving medical negligence, regulatory complaints, and disciplinary hearings. His insurance law practice focuses on coverage litigation, both defence and subrogated claims. Adam has also assisted clients on the plaintiff side with claims against government authorities.
“The constant challenge of learning new subject matter in the field of medicine, and working for clients you admire and respect, makes practising health law a tremendously rewarding experience,” says Adam. “I also enjoy the challenge of facing the new scenarios that arise day-to-day in my insurance defence practice.”
A father of three children, Adam has served the community as president of a local preschool for several years and as a competitive hockey coach.
Executive Summary
Adam Patenaude is a partner in Lerners Toronto office and a member of the Health Law, and Specialty Risk and Insurance groups. When a dispute cannot be resolved outside of court, Adam draws on extensive trial experience in both the administrative arena and the civil courts to advance and protect the interests of his clients. “My favourite place to be is in the courtroom because I’m completely focused on winning the case,” he says.
Where a trial is not warranted, Adam builds strategies to reach favourable settlements for his clients in the quickest and least costly way possible.
Adam provides advice and representation on high stakes matters involving medical negligence, regulatory complaints, and disciplinary hearings. His insurance law practice focuses on coverage litigation, both defence and subrogated claims. Adam has also assisted clients on the plaintiff side with claims against government authorities.
“The constant challenge of learning new subject matter in the field of medicine, and working for clients you admire and respect, makes practising health law a tremendously rewarding experience,” says Adam. “I also enjoy the challenge of facing the new scenarios that arise day-to-day in my insurance defence practice.”
A father of three children, Adam has served the community as president of a local preschool for several years and as a competitive hockey coach.
Adam’s Services
Adam’s Services
Adam’s Services
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
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.