Lawyer Profile
Anne E. Spafford
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
With over three decades of experience, Anne Spafford is known for her extensive trial experience and empathetic approach to representing health professionals in various legal matters.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1987 (MS); 1990 (ON)
Professional Details
Education
LL.M. conferred, The University of Toronto (2000) Admitted to Ontario Bar (1990) LL.B. and B.C.L. McGill University Faculty of Law (1987) Called to the Massachusetts Bar (1987) B.Sc.(Nursing) Université Laval, (1983)
Awards & Recognition
Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading practitioner in the areas of Medical Negligence (represents defendants) (2012-2026) and Personal Injury (represents defendants) (2014-2017) Recognized in Chambers Canada in the area of Healthcare - Contentious (2020-2025) Benchmark Canada, Litigation Star (2015-2026) - Recognized in the following areas: Health and Insurance; Commercial Selected by her peers to be included in Best Lawyers in Canada for Administrative and Public Law, Healthcare Law, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Professional Malpractice Law Law Society Tribunal, Hearing Division, Legal Member Ontario Review Board, Legal Member and Alternate Chair University of Toronto Instructor Trial Advocacy Skills Instructor for The Advocates’ Society
Articles & Speeches
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
Selected Decisions
Gumbley v. Vasiliou, 2024 ONSC 4858 Penate v. St. Michael’s Hospital , 2022 ONSC 4939, 2024 ONCA 166 (trial counsel only) Lumaj v. St. Michael’s Hospital , 2021 ONSC 1603 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 Guiterrez v. Colman 2013, two-week jury trial involving the defence of an obstetrician Beldycki v. Jaipargus et al , 2012 ONCA 537 (trial counsel only) Aherne v. Chang , 2011, 106 O.R. (3d) 297 Goodwin v. Olupona , 2010 ONSC 5068 (CanLII), 2013 ONCA 259 (trial counsel only) Randall v. Lakeridge Health Oshawa , 2009 CanLII 6840 Repic v. Hamilton (City) , 2009 CanLII 60673 Wellwood v. Ontario Provincial Police , 2009 CanLII 1476, 2010 ONCA 513 (CanLII) Cass v. Lai , 2007 ONCA 507 CanLII (C.A.) Henhawk v. Brantford (2006), 79 O.R. (3d) 187 Burtch v. Barnes (2006), 80 O.R. (3d) 249 (C.A.) Worthman v. Grant et al (2006), 80 O.R. (3d) 365 (Div. Ct.) Housley v. Ontario