Jessica Lam, a partner at the law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto, Ontario, accepted the invitation to join the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).
The IADC, established in 1920, serves as a global platform for legal professionals committed to the defense of corporate and insurance entities. It emphasizes developing legal skills and professionalism and fostering camaraderie among its members, contributing to the broader civil justice community.
Lam's legal practice is concentrated on defending class actions and mass torts, particularly within product liability and consumer protection. Her work predominantly focuses on the life sciences industry, where she has represented leading manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other health-related consumer products.
Holding a law degree from the University of Toronto Law School and a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, Lam brings legal and communicative skills to her profession. Her legal experience includes advising multinational corporations in various class action lawsuits related to medical and health products.
Lam has been involved in several notable cases throughout her career, including representing pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in class action litigation and advising a cannabis company in a negligence lawsuit. She has acted for a North American vehicle manufacturer in class actions alleging negligent design, testing and manufacturing and breaches of consumer protection laws.
Lam has experience advising a gaming facility and public-sector entity in successfully opposing the plaintiffs' motion for certification in a privacy class action arising out of a cyber-attack. She has also guided a multinational hotel franchise in a class action involving allegations of deceptive trade practices.
Her expertise extends beyond litigation to advising clients on risk management strategies related to product safety, recalls, and consumer warranties. During her articles, she completed a secondment in the legal department of one of Canada's largest medical device companies, where she worked on various litigation, regulatory, and commercial matters.
Lam's involvement in the IADC is expected to further enrich her contributions to the legal profession and facilitate international collaboration among defense attorneys.