Jennifer Beresford
Partner
Direct Dial: 416-640-2960
email: [email protected]
Year of Call: 2005
Jennifer received her J.D. from the University of Toronto Law School in 2004. She articled with Harry Brown and was called to the bar in 2005. Thereafter she returned to practice under the tutelage of Harry Brown. During this time, Jennifer regularly appeared in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and FSCO, and appeared as co-counsel in the Ontario Court of Appeal and at several private arbitrations. Her practice focused on tort claims (including automobile and slip and fall accidents, as well as the defence of professional negligence claims against other lawyers under Bill Scott), and accident benefits claims (including priority and loss transfer disputes).
In 2007, Jennifer decided to spread her wings. She assumed the role of coverage counsel with another prominent Toronto firm, practicing with the leading experts in the area. As coverage counsel, Jennifer provided major insurance companies with analysis and advice regarding their rights and responsibilities under a variety of polices, including CGL, auto, employer’s liability and home owner’s policies. Acting as co-counsel in the trial of a complex coverage action, Jennifer successfully thwarted an attempt to enforce a foreign judgment directly against a major insurer, reigniting her passion for litigation. She assisted with the preparation of the documentation for the appeal, which was heard during her maternity leave.
When Jennifer returned from maternity leave, she developed a hybrid practice incorporating both coverage and defence work. She maintained this balance when she accepted a position as in-house counsel for a major insurance company. While in-house, Jennifer familiarized herself with the inner workings of the company, gaining valuable insight into the needs of insurers.
In 2013, Jennifer came full circle, happily returning to practice with Harry Brown. With the expertise gained over the past 8 years, she continues to enjoy a hybrid practice encompassing the defence of tort and accident benefits claims, as well as coverage issues.
Jennifer has authored and co-authored many papers, including a publication in the Canadian Journal of Insurance Law. She contributed to the chapters on Advertising Injury and Personal Injury in the Annotated Commercial General Liability Policy. She enjoys speaking at various functions, including the Canadian Institute’s Advanced Litigation Law Clerk Summit and at the Insurance Institute.
Jennifer’s reported decisions include:
Unique Labelling v. Gerling Canada, [2008] O.J. No. 4090 (Ont. S.C.J.); [2009] O.J. No. 3610 (C.A.).
Johnston v. AXA Insurance (Canada), [2008] F.S.C.O. 1554.
Lombard Canada Co. v. AXA Assurance Inc., [2007] O.J. No. 601 (Ont. S.C.J.).
BMW Group v. Gilmore, 2007 CanLII 24072 (Ont. S.C.J.).
Smith v. Zenith Insurance Co., [2006] O.J. No. 4764 (Ont. C.A.).
Krivosija and Kittaneh and Kingsway General, [2006] F.S.C.O. 1737.
