Lawyer Profile
Brendan O’Grady
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Brendan O'Grady is a partner advising on complex business litigation and international commercial arbitration. He is a member of Baker McKenzie's North American Litigation & Government Enforcement Practice Group in Toronto.
Brendan is a trusted advisor to executive teams in high stakes disputes. Brendan received the Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyers Under 40 Award (2025) for outstanding contributions made in his careers thus far.
For more than a decade, Brendan has practiced in class proceedings with a special focus on defending cross-border competition matters. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, superior courts across Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. With a wealth of experience, Brendan understands the unique procedural landscape and significant business pressures inherent in class actions.
Crucial to resisting competition class actions in Canada is developing a coordinated defence with counsel in all jurisdictions where the client may be facing parallel civil, criminal or regulatory risk. Brendan works in lockstep with Baker McKenzie's highly integrated, global anti-trust defence practice to execute cross-border legal strategies.
Brendan has acted in major class proceedings across the country involving allegations of:
Brendan has also represented Fortune 500, private and state-owned companies in major commercial arbitrations seated in Canada and around the world.
Brendan’s arbitration practice is recognized in the Chambers and Partners Canada Guide (2024, 2025, 2026) and he was the sole recipient of the Lexology Client Choice Award for arbitration in Ontario (2024). These distinctions are based on client feedback. Clients have commented:
“Brendan has been exceptional to work with. He’s not only legally sharp but also commercially astute, which has made his guidance incredibly valuable in navigating both legal and business risks.” (Chambers)
“Brendan is an excellent litigator, intelligent and has strong client relationships.” (Chambers)
"He is a fantastic attorney—he is whip smart, has a very high IQ and is great in high pressure situations." (Chambers)
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2014 (ON)
Professional Details
Education
University of Western Ontario (JD)
Queen's University (MA)
Queen's University (BA, Honours)
Awards & Recognition
Brendan is a trusted advisor to executive teams in high stakes disputes. Brendan received the Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyers Under 40 Award (2025) for outstanding contributions made in his careers thus far.
Brendan’s arbitration practice is recognized in the Chambers and Partners Canada Guide (2024, 2025, 2026) and he was the sole recipient of the Lexology Client Choice Award for arbitration in Ontario (2024). These distinctions are based on client feedback. Clients have commented:
“Brendan has been exceptional to work with. He’s not only legally sharp but also commercially astute, which has made his guidance incredibly valuable in navigating both legal and business risks.” (Chambers)
“Brendan is an excellent litigator, intelligent and has strong client relationships.” (Chambers)
"He is a fantastic attorney—he is whip smart, has a very high IQ and is great in high pressure situations." (Chambers)
"I would gladly entrust Brendan in leading an international disputes case, especially one involving the management of information across jurisdictions and the synthesis of competing bodies of law." (Chambers)
Brendan is the vice-chair of the Advocates' Society Arbitration and Mediation Advocacy Practice Group. He has co-authored chapters published by Legal 500, Thomson Reuters Practical Law, Global Competition Review and Chambers & Partners.
Co-author, Legal 500 Key Developments in Canadian Class Actions, April 2025