J. Adam Dewar

Partner

J. Adam Dewar is a partner in the firm and his practice focuses on both plaintiff and defence side class actions and commercial litigation.

Adam was named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark magazine in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

In the area of class actions he is part of the firm’s counsel team in:

  • Cunningham v RBC DS (Unpaid Vacation Pay – certified 2023)
  • Chiang v Toronto Dominion Bank (Unpaid Vacation Pay – certification to be heard September 2025)
  • Stadnyk v City of Thunder Bay (Pinhole Leaks – certified 2024)
  • Christiansen v Mettrum Ltd (Tainted Medical Marijuana – settled 2020)
  • Stibbe v Audi et al (Gasoline Emission Manipulations – settled 2021)
  • Quenneville et al v Volkswagen (Volkswagen Diesel Emission Manipulations – settled 2018)
  • Quinte v Eastwood Mall et al (collapse of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake Ontario – certified February 2014)
  • Bozsik v Livingston International (unpaid overtime – settled 2019)
  • Fantl v. Transamerica Life (management fee overcharges – settled Summer 2009)
  • Monckton v. Canadian Business College (private college class action – settled 2011)
  • Fulawka v. Scotiabank (unpaid overtime – settled 2015 & 2016)
  • Fresco v. CIBC (unpaid overtime – settled 2023)
  • Lipson v. Cassels Brock (negligent tax advice – settled 2023)
  • Sa'd v Remington Group (excess development fees – settled March 2013)

On the Defence side, Adam is part of the firm’s counsel team in several alleged defective goods class actions against a Fortune 500 technology company.

Adam is involved in a variety of corporate commercial matters dealing with oppression, derivative actions, regulatory matters and employment issues. As a result of his activities in various aspects of litigation, Adam has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Ontario.

Adam has written articles for a number of publications on a variety of class action, evidence and commercial litigation topics.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Civil Litigation

Admissions and Affiliations

  • Called to the Bar of Ontario 2002
  • Advocates' Society, Member

Education

  • B.A. – University of Western Ontario 1998
  • LL.B. – Queen's University 2001

Publications/Presentations

  • "Some Basis In Fact" Federated Press Commercial Litigation Journal 2009, Vol XIII, No. 3
  • J. Adam Dewar and Alexandra Carr, "The Enforceability of Mandatory Arbitration Clauses in Class Proceedings in Ontario", (2010) Federated Press, Commercial Litigation Section, Vol. XIII, No. 4, 734-736

Current Cases