Defamation Law and Reputation Management
Control your narrative
In today’s cyber world of internet publications and social media, coupled with the disinformation generated by artificial intelligence, the number of defamation actions in Canada has exploded.
What do you do with a notice of libel alleging you defamed someone causing millions of dollars in damages to their reputation? Or what steps do you take when a video has gone viral on social media accusing your company and management of fraud and other wrongdoing?
Our experienced defamation law and reputation management team provides the advice you need to make strategic choices — whether you’re defending a libel action or commencing a claim to restore your reputation. You benefit from our command of the highly technical and complex law governing libel actions and procedures.
Acting as counsel for defendants and plaintiffs, we bring the expertise you need to move forward with confidence, built on a long history of litigating trials (jury and judge-alone) and appeals in high-profile defamation actions and precedent-setting freedom of expression cases under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Creating new defamation law: We acted as counsel in the seminal Supreme Court of Canada appeals in Cusson v Quan and Grant v Torstar, which upheld a new defamation defence of responsible communication on matters of public interest. The defence was created for the first time by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in Cusson v Quan, a libel action in which we were defence counsel for journalist Doug Quan and the Ottawa Citizen, a daily newspaper—a case that continues to shape how we advise clients today.
Grounded in credibility: When your reputation is on the line, credibility counts. Our work has been consistently recognized by respected peer review publications, including Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada. Above all, it’s the trust our clients place in us that speaks loudest.
Litigation insight from both sides: The strongest strategy comes from seeing the whole picture. We have acted for defendants and plaintiffs in high-stakes defamation actions. This dual perspective provides us with an advantage in anticipating what the other party is going to do and how the proceedings are likely to unfold. It’s experience that helps us approach your matter with greater precision, efficiency, and foresight.
“We’ve been counsel in leading defamation and Charter cases, including the creation of the responsible communication defence—a game changer in Canadian defamation law. We’ll always have your back, whether you’re defending a libel action or protecting your most cherished asset: your reputation.”
– Richard Dearden, Partner and Leader of the Defamation Law and Reputation Management Group
Key areas of expertise
When legal challenges escalate quickly, you need clear direction and fast, practical solutions. Here’s how we support you:
Defamation litigation: Defendants
A response to a notice of libel requires careful consideration—as does the Statement of Defence to a Statement of Claim seeking millions of dollars in damages from you. We will work with you to assess the viability of various defences to a libel action, such as truth, fair comment or responsible communication on matters of public interest. We also have extensive experience litigating motions to dismiss libel actions under Ontario’s legislation targeting Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
