Jonathan Ptak

Partner

Jonathan Ptak’s practice focuses on class proceedings, professional liability defence and commercial litigation. He regularly appears before Courts at all levels in Ontario, including the Superior Court, Divisional Court and Court of Appeal.

Jon is counsel in class actions in a wide variety of areas, including product liability, public health (infectious disease outbreaks), consumer protection, securities misrepresentation, and pension matters. He was part of the counsel team in Lawrence v. Atlas, a securities misrepresentation case which settled for $40 million.

In Jon’s professional liability defence practice, he has acted for lawyers, home inspectors, dentists, financial advisors and other professionals. His commercial litigation practice includes complex commercial disputes, pension litigation as well as other matters such as employment.

A list of selected reported decisions in the class action and commercial areas is appended below.

Prior to joining Koskie Minsky in 2002, Jon practiced at a large international law firm. He was also previously a caseworker and division leader at Downtown Legal Services (a community legal clinic) doing criminal defence work.

Jon obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto, where he won numerous mooting prizes. He also spent a year abroad in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at a public health agency focusing on law reform.

Jon speaks and publishes regularly on issues related to class actions and commercial litigation. He is a member of the Advocates Society and Ontario Bar Association. He volunteers as duty counsel at Law Help Ontario, a free legal clinic run through Pro Bono Law Ontario.

Experience

• Caponi v. Canada Life
• Stewart v. General Motors of Canada Ltd.
• Healey v. Lakeridge Health Corporation

Memberships/Affiliations

• Member, The Advocates' Society
• Member, Ontario Bar Association