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Glenn Zakaib

Senior Counsel and Co-Chair, Class Actions Group

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6664

Expertise

Mary Kate Puopolo

Practice Assistant

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6581

Glenn has a strong track record of defending a diverse group of clients in a wide range of class action proceedings and product liability claims, as well cases involving life insurance, consumer misrepresentation and competition law.

Glenn is the national co-chair of the Class Actions Group, providing strategic direction and coordination across Canada.

Testimonials

Chambers Global

"[Glenn] is very bright, practical and willing to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions."

Chambers Global

He is a "very good lawyer who brings good judgement to the table. He is a thoughtful lawyer who will provide practical advice and take reasonable positions that will be a success in the long run."

Chambers Global

"I've not seen a better strategist in terms of overseeing national litigation. I'm really impressed with his clients, he really gets the big picture issues and he's at the top of my list for handling nationwide matters."

Chambers Canada

"A first-class lawyer...he doesn't take unreasonable stances or approaches."

Who's Who Legal

"A fantastic lawyer" who is "very experienced" and possesses "great insight on product liability matters."

Experience

  • Defended manufacturers of automotive, aviation, industrial equipment, power tools, and home appliances in a wide array of class action proceedings and product liability cases related to alleged product defects, failure to warn and other competition law violations.
  • Regarding Goodridge v. Pfizer Canada Inc., defended drug manufacturer in a class action related to allegations of off-label marketing, adverse events, and inadequate product warning and labelling.
  • Defended public and private corporations with respect to alleged Competition Act violations related to price fixing.
  • Regarding Anderson v. Canada (Attorney General), represented Moravian Union (third party) in a class action related to residential schools in Labrador.
  • Regarding Hamilton v. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., represented defendants in a class action proceeding related to alleged sudden unintended acceleration.
  • Regarding Voutour v. Pfizer Canada Inc., represented defendants in a class action alleging increased risk of adverse events related to the use of Cox-II NSAIDs.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association, class actions, insurance and civil litigation sections
  • Member, Toronto Lawyers Association
  • Member, The Advocates' Society
  • Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers Association
  • Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Member, Defence Research Institute (DRI), (actively involved in the product liability, drug and medical device, commercial litigation and international committees)
  • Member, DRI Law Institute
  • Prior DRI positions; former Canadian regional director; former chair of the Automotive Specialized Litigation Group (SLG) and the International SLG of the Product Liability Committee; and former chair of DRI International
  • Member, Trial Law Institute
  • Member, Diversity Law Institute

Awards & Recognitions

  • Selected as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the Who's Who Legal: Thought Leaders Global Elite 2024 report. Also selected as one the world's leading practitioners in the Who's Who Legal: Life Sciences 2024.
  • Senior fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2016) of Chambers Canada — Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence) (Nationwide); Litigation: Product Liability).
    • Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence): Glenn Zakaib has considerable product liability experience and represents both the public and private sectors. He acts as the national co-chair of the group from the Toronto office.
    • Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence): "Glenn Zakaib is a knowledgeable and sophisticated professional who is able to break down complex matters into manageable bite sizes."
    • Litigation: Product Liability: Glenn Zakaib is a prominent Toronto litigator who is widely recognised as one of the market's top product liability and class action lawyers. He garners recognition for his work concerning medical devices. 
    • Litigation: Product Liability: "Glenn is a highly skilled and diligent lawyer - his expertise and experience is valued."
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in the 2025 (and since 2018) editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Class Action Litigation; Product Liability Law).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2020) of Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation
  • Recognized in the 2024, 2023, 2022 (and 2008-2019) editions of The Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Litigation - Product Liability).
  • Recognized and Peer Rated in the 2021 edition of Martindale-Hubbel as "Preeminent" and "Distinguished".
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2004) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Class Actions; Litigation: Product Liability)
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition of Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2018) of Who's Who Legal: Canada (Life Sciences; Product Liability Defence).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2023) of Who's Who Legal as a Global Elite Thought Leader in North America
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition of Benchmark Litigation — The definitive guide to litigation firms and attorneys in Canada.
  • Recognized in the 2019 edition of the Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-border Lawyers in Canada.
  • Recognized in the 2018 edition of IFLR - The Best of the Best Global Guide as one of the top 30 product liability practitioners worldwide.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 1983
  • LLB, McGill University, 1981
  • BA, York University, 1978