The Law Foundation of Ontario community is saddened by the passing of Wendy J. Earle.
Wendy was a remarkable class actions advocate and leader on the Foundation’s Class Proceedings Committee for 17 years. Wendy joined the Committee in 2006 and served as Chair from 2015 until 2020.
The Class Proceedings Fund experienced a significant amount of growth under Wendy’s leadership and careful stewardship. The Class Proceedings Committee benefited greatly from Wendy’s legal acumen, warmth, kindness, and unwavering commitment to access to justice. Wendy was a fierce advocate for the vulnerable and disenfranchised, always reminding the Committee members she served with of the importance of taking a risk when the public interest demands it.
Wendy owned her own firm where she was a dispute resolution strategist and designer, specializing in real property litigation. She was a senior litigation counsel, mediator, and arbitrator with significant experience and expertise in the areas of commercial real estate disputes, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and arbitration and is the author of the leading text in Canada on the subject of drafting arbitration and ADR clauses in commercial contracts. Previous to this, Wendy was a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP with 30 years of experience specializing in commercial litigation. She made appearances before all levels of the Ontario Superior Court, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.
We extend our sincere condolences to Wendy’s family, friends, and colleagues. Her presence will be sorely missed by the Foundation and the class action communities.
