ottawa skyline

Joseph Y. Obagi

smiling man with short brown hair and glasses wearing grey suit and striped grey and purple tie
OTLA Member 2022

Areas of Practice

  • Serious Personal Injury Litigation
  • Medical Negligence
  • Professional Liability

Education

  • 1993 LL.B. Osgoode Hall Law School
  • 1995 Called to the Bar of the Province of Ontario

Professional Affiliations

  • Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • County of Carleton Law Association
  • The Dewaan Foundation
  • Member of the Organizing Committee for the CCLA Civil Litigation
    Conference at Mont Tremblant
  • Law Society of Upper Canada

Papers, Publications & Presentations

  • April 2019, Electronic Trials: Connecting the Jury to your Case, OBA Conference
  • May 2018, Technology in the Court House, National Judicial Institute
  • April 2018, Electronic Personal Injury Trials, Advocates’ Society Conference
  • March 2018, LSUC MVA Summit, Panel Speaker
View More
  • November 2017, Panel on Developments in Personal Injury Litigation at CCLA Fall Conference
  • March 2017, Obagi, J. & Aldersley, A., The Digital Trial is Here, 2017 Oatley McLeish Guide to Motor Vehicle Litigation conference, (LSUC)
  • November 2016 – CCLA – “The Trembello Conference”, Personal Injury Update – Collateral benefits, PJI and SABS
  • Obagi, J. & Aldersley, A., The Digital Trial is Coming, presented by Joseph Obagi at the 2016 Oatley McLeish Guide to Motor Vehicle Litigation conference, (LSUC).
  • Obagi, J. & Aldersley, A., Med-Assess Corporations – Protecting Clients from Improper Influence, presented by Adam Aldersley at the Fall 2015 Conference of OTLA
  • November 2015 – CCLA – “Mont Ste. Trembello” Conference
    The Electronic Trial
  • October 2015 – OTLA Fall Conference
    Med-Assess Corporations – Protecting Clients from Improper Influence
  • May 2014 – SCJO (Judge’s Conference) Spring Conference
    Keeping Pace and becoming a “Court of the Future”
  • November 2013 – CCLA – The “Trembello” Conference
    COSTS – trends, explanations and the latest cases
  • November 2012 iPad in the Courtroom, OTLA Fall Conference & CCLA Mont Tremblant
  • November 2008 CCLA Montebello Conference
    Opening and Closing Statements: What are the Rules?
  • April 2008 Law Society Special Lectures on Personal Injury Law
    Jury Openings – Understanding the Rules
  • Fall 2007 Lawyers’ Weekly (Report on Favourable Decision w/ interview)
    Province Seeks Leave To Appeal Class Action Certification
  • Spring 2006 Canadian Institute on Mental Health
    Mental Health Assessments under section 672.11 of the Criminal Code:
    Are They Bad for One’s Mental Health?
  • November 2003 CCLA Montebello Conference
    Making the MVAC Fund Work for Québec Residents
  • August 2003 Lawyers’ Weekly (Article on Favourable Decision w/ interview)
    Court Denies Support to Impoverished Widow
  • July 2003 Lawyers’ Weekly (Article on Favourable Decision w/ interview)
    Ont. C.A. Removes Roadblocks for Non-Resident Accident Victims
  • December 5, 2002 Essex Law Association
    Seminar on Rule 77 – An Introduction to Case Management & Mandatory Mediation
  • July 2002 The Advocates’ Quarterly
    Whiten v. Pilot Insurance Co.: Fighting the Insurers From Hell
  • Spring 2002 O.T.L.A.
    Punitive Damages Revisited
  • September 2001 26th Annual CRIMS (Canadian Risk Insurance Managers) Conference
    Punitive Damages – An Overview
  • May 2001 Advocates’ Society Seminar
    Effective Use of Case Management
  • January 2001 The Advocates’ Quarterly
    Making a Claim for Punitive Damages against First Party Insurers
  • February 2000 Advocates’ Society Courthouse Series 2000
    Opening a Case with an Effective Statement
  • Spring 2000 O.T.L.A.
    Punitive Damages
  • November 1999 Ottawa Valley Adjusters Association
    Punitive Damages & Bad Faith Conduct
  • November 1999 CCLA Montebello Conference
    The Nuts and Bolts of a Claim for Punitive Damages
  • August 1999 The Globe & Mail (Article on Favourable Decision w/ interview)
    Khazzaka v. Commercial Union Assurance Company of Canada
  • Spring 1995 The Canadian Independent Adjuster
    What is Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Non-Disclosure

For further information regarding these publications and papers, please contact Joseph Obagi at joseph.obagi@connollyobagi.com

Reported Judicial Decisions

  • Emond v Trillium Mutual Insurance Co., 2022 ONSC 7082
  • Carroll (Litigation guardian of) v Aviva Canada Inc., 2022 ONSC 6419
  • Emond v Trillium Mutual Insurance Co., 2022 ONSC 5519
  • Mulchan (Litigation guardian of) v. Evans, 2022 ONSC 5354
View More
  • Higashi v. Chiarot, 2022 ONSC 5182
  • Belec v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, 2022 ONSC 5098
  • Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co. v. Ridi (Litigation guardian of), 2022 ONCA 564
  • Belec v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, 2022 ONSC 3522
  • Belec v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, 2022 ONSC 3523
  • Carroll (Litigation guardian of) v. Aviva Canada Inc., 2022 ONSC 2931
  • Campbell v. Desjardins General Insurance Group, 2022 ONCA 128
  • Burwash v. Levy, 2022 ONSC 278
  • Higashi v. Chiarot, 2021 ONSC 8201
  • Burwash v Levy, 2021 ONSC 7196
  • Sabanadze v. Joseph, 2021 ONSC 6744
  • Nemchin v. Green; 2021 ONCA 573
  • McEwen (Re), 2021 ONCA 566
  • El-Khodr v. Northbridge Commercial Insurance Co, 2021 ONCA 440
  • Nemchin v. Green, 2021 ONCA 342
  • Nemchin v. Green, 2021 ONCA 238
  • Higashi v. Chiarot, 2021 ONSC 2399
  • Boone (Litigation guardian of) v. O’Kelly, 2021 ONSC 2308
  • Louis v. Poitras, 2021 ONCA 49
  • Campbell v. Desjardins General Insurance Group, 2021 ONSC 254
  • Louis v. Poitras, 2020 ONCA 815
  • Coban v Declare, 2020 ONSC 7537
  • Boone v O’Kelly, 2020 ONSC 6932
  • Louis v Poitras, 2020 ONSC 6907
  • Campbell et al v. Desjardins et al, 2020 ONSC 6630
  • Carroll v. Aviva Canada Inc. et al, 2020 ONSC 6388
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, 2020 ONCA 642
  • Higashi v. Chiarot, 2020 ONSC 5700
  • Coban et al v. Declare et al, 2020 ONSC 5580
  • Higashi v. Chiarot, 2020 ONSC 5523
  • Louis v. Poitras, 2020 ONSC 5301
  • Carroll v. McEwen, 2020 ONCA 562
  • M.C. & M.C. v. Pembridge Insurance Company, 2020 CanLII 80291 (ON LAT)
  • Belec v. Sun Life Assurance Company, 2020 ONSC 4961
  • Carroll v. McEwen, 2020 ONCA 511
  • Carroll v. Aviva Canada Inc., 2020 ONSC 4683
  • M.L. v. Primmum Insurance Company, 2020 CanLII 80283 (ON LAT)
  • Roy v. Primmum Insurance, 2020 ONSC 3886
  • Boone v. Kyeremanteng, 2020 ONSC 3253
  • Kossay El-Khodr v. Northbridge Commercial Insurance Company, 2020 ONSC 3160
  • Kossay El-Khodr v. Northbridge Commercial Insurance Company, 2020 ONSC 2319
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2020] O.J. No. 962 (S.C.J.)
  • Patterson v. Peladeau, [2020] O.J. No. 718 (C.A)
  • McEwen (Re), [2020] O.J. No. 737 (S.C.J. – Bankruptcy Court)
  • Boone (Litigation Guardian) v. Kyeremanteng, [2020] O.J. No. 100 (C.A.)
  • Roy v. Primmum Insurance Company, [2019] O.J. No. 5584 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2019] O.J. No. 5517 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2019] O.J. No. 5493 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2019] O.J. No. 5489 (S.C.J.)
  • McEwen (Re), [2019] O.J. No. 5309 (S.C.J. – Bankruptcy Court)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2019] O.J. No. 4004 (C.A.)
  • Hoveyda v. Habib, [2019] O.J. No. 3896 (S.C.J.)
  • Connolly (Litigation Guardian of) v. Riopelle, [2019] O.J. No. 3406 (S.C.J.)
  • Hoveyda v. Habib, [2019] O.J. No. 3576 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, [2019] O.J. No. 2187 (C.A.)
  • Elbakhiet v. Palmer, [2019] O.J. No. 2102 (C.A.)
  • Connolly (Re), [2019] O.J. No. 1358 (S.C.J.)
  • Siddiqui (Litigation guardian of) v. Saint Francis Xavier High School, [2019] O.J. No. 104 (S.C.J.)
  • Morrison v. Barzo, [2018] O.J. No. 6877 (C.A.)
  • Carroll (Litigation guardian of) v. McEwen, [2018] O.J. No. 6344 (C.A.)
  • Yakub v. Wal-Mart Canada Corp., [2018] O.J. No. 6159 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 5734 (S.C.J.)
  • Connolly v. Connolly, [2018] O.J. No. 5157 (S.C.J.)
  • Burwash v Levy, [2018] O.J. No. 4884 (S.C.J.)
  • Conklin v. Ontario, [2018] O.J. No. 4470 (C.A.)
  • Connolly (Re), [2018] O.J. No. 4162 (S.C.J.)
  • Lapierre v. Lecuyer, [2018] O.J. No. 2034 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie et al., (2018), 142 O.R. (3d) 719 (C.A.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, [2018] O.J. No. 1787 (Ont. C.A.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2018] O.J. No. 1774 (S.C.J.)
  • Burwash v. Levy, [2018] O.J. No. 1610 (S.C.J.)
  • Elbakhiet v. Palmer, [2018] O.J. No. 1439 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 1127 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 1089 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 933 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, [2018] O.J. No. 395 (Ont. C.A.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 344 (S.C.J.)
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2018] O.J. No. 342 (S.C.J.)
  • Dawson v. Halpenny Insurance Brokers Ltd., [2018] O.J. No. 330 (S.C.J.)
  • Graves v. Intact, [2018] O.J. No. 175 (S.C.J.)
  • M.L. v. Primmum Insurance Company, 2017 ONLAT 17-002915/AABS
  • Rolley v. MacDonell, [2017] O.J. No. 6961 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, 2017, S.C.C.A. No. 461 (S.C.J.)
  • Clatney v. Noel, [2017] O.J. No. 6532 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, [2017] O.J. No. 6525 (Ont. C.A.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie, [2017] O.J. No. 4828 (Ont. C.A.)
  • Dawson v. Halpenny Insurance Brokers Ltd., [2017] O.J. No. 3974 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 3329 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1839 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1754 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1731 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1513 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1444 (S.C.J.)
  • Nemchin v. Green, [2017] O.J. No. 1163 (S.C.J.)
  • Meehan v. Good. [2017] O.J. No. 588 (Ont. C.A.)
  • Lyons Estate v. Freeman, [2017] O.J. No. 414 (S.C.J.)
  • Lyons Estate v. Freeman, [2017] O.J. No. 413 (S.C.J.)
  • Lyons Estate v. Freeman, [2017] O.J. No. 361 (S.C.J.)
  • Van Galder v. Economical Mutual Insurance Co., [2016] O.J. No. 5623 (Ont. C.A.)
  • 16-000080 v. RBC General Insurance Company (2016), CanLII 67138 (ON LAT)
  • Intact Insurance Co. v. Beaudry, [2016] O.J. NO. 5623 (S.C.J.)
  • Meehan v. Good, [2016] O.J. No. 3486 (S.C.J.)
  • Lavecchia v. McGinn, [2016] O.J. No. 1750 (S.C.J.)
  • Carroll (Litigation Guardian) v. McEwen [2016] O.J. No. 2957 (S.C.J.)
  • CCC No. 449 v. 622294 Ontario Ltd. [2016] O.J. No. 1946 (S.C.J.)
  • Meehan v. Good [2016] O.J. No. 1570 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie et al, [2015] O.J. No. 4506 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie et al, [2015] O.J. No. 4037 (S.C.J.)
  • Dolan v. CCOC, [2015] ONSC 3369 (S.C.J.)
  • Van Galder v. Economical Mutual Insurance Company, [2015] O.J. No. 2650 (S.C.J.)
  • El-Khodr v. Lackie et al, [2015] O.J. No. 2167 (S.C.J.)
  • Ottawa Community Housing Corporation v. Foustanellas (Argos Carpets), [2015] O.J. No. 2015 (C.A.)
  • McClatchie v. Rideau Lakes (Township), [2015] O.J. No. 1737 (C.A.)
  • Dolan v. CCOC, [2015] O.J. No. 1698 (S.C.J.)
  • Narouz v. Desjardins Financial Security, [2015] O.J. No. 283 (S.C.J.)
  • Burwash v. Williams, [2014] O.J. No. 5626 (S.C.J.)
  • Burwash v. Williams, [2014] O.J. No. 5460 (S.C.J.)
  • Gray v. Guerard, [2014] O.J. No. 5366 (C.A.)
  • Lacroix v. Federation Insurance Co. of Canada, [2014] O.J. No. 4857 (S.C.J.)
  • Elbakhiet v. Palmer, [2014] O.J. No. 3302 (C.A.)
  • Gray v. Guerard, [2013] O.J. No. 4745 (S.C.J.)
  • Feinstein v. Freedman, [2013] O.J. No. 1220 (S.C.J.)
  • El Dali v. Panjalingam, [2013] O.J. No. 1035 (C.A.)
  • Ottawa Community Housing Corp. v. Foustanellas (c.o.b. Argos Carpets), [2013] O.J. No. 765 (S.C.J.)
  • El Dali v. Panjalingam, [2013] O.J. No. 208 (C.A.)
  • Cain v. 1150320 Ontario Inc. (The Antique Shoppe), [2012] ONCA 920
  • Duchesne v. St-Denis, [2012] O.J. No.4877 (Ont. C.A.)
  • Henry v. Gore Mutual Insurance Co., [2012] O.J. No. 2928 (Ont. S.C)
  • Elbakhiet v. Palmer, [2012] O.J. No. 2890 (Ont. S.C)
  • Cain v. 115032 Ontario Inc. (c.o.b. The Antique Shoppe), [2012] O.J. No.2268 (Ont. S.C))
  • Veolia ES Industrial Services v. Brulé, 2012 ONCA 173.
  • Forbes v. NET Ministries of Canada, [2011] O.J. No. 4538 (Ont.S.C)and No.5340
  • Ottawa Community Housing Corp. v. Peter Foustanellas (c.o.b. Argos Carpets), [2011] O.J. No. 3896 (Ont.S.C)
  • El Dali v. Panjalingam, [2011] O.J. No. 3324 (Ont.S.C)
  • Duchesne v. St-Denis, [2011] O.J. No. 1848 (Ont. Div Ct)
  • Elle Mortgage Corp. v. Roscoe, [2011] O.J. No. 1509 (Ont. C.A)
  • Lahaie v. Canada (Attorney General)[2010], 101 O.R. (3d) 241 (Ont. C.A)
  • Nicholson (Litigation guardian of) v. Whan, [2011] O.J. No. 149 (Ont. C.A)
  • Ontario v. Phaneuf, (2010) 104 O.R. (3d) 392 (Ont. C.A)
  • Poplawski v. McGrimmon, [2010] O.J. No. 4243, [2010] I.L.R. I-5057 (Ont.C.A)
  • Ottawa Community Housing Corp. v. Foustanellas (c.o.b. Argos Carpets), [2010] O.J. No. 3366 (Ont.S.C
  • Hashem v. 2069513 Ontario Ltd. (BLVD III), [2010] O.J. No. 1476 (Ont. DivCt)
  • 1483677 Ontario Ltd. v. Crain [2010] O.J. No. 886 (Ont. S.C
  • Ontario v. Phaneuf (2009) O.J. No. 5618 (Div. Ct.)
  • 1483677 Ontario Ltd. v. Crain (2009) O.J. No. 5342 (S.C.J.)
  • Limlaw v. Ryan (2009) O.J. No. 4962 (C.A.)
  • Duchesne v. St-Denis (2009) O.J. No. 2999 (S.C.J.)
  • Ben-Choreen v. Freedman (2009) O.J. No. 2888 (C.A.)
  • Hashem v. 2069513 Ontario Ltd. (2009) O.J. No. 1202 (S.C.J.)
  • Lahaie v. Canada (Attorney General) (2008) O.J. No. 5276 (S.C.J.)
  • 1561860 Ontario Ltd. v. Hashem (2008) O.J. No. 3945 (S.C.J.)
  • 1561860 Ontario Ltd. v. Hashem (2008) O.J. No. 3217 (S.C.J.)
  • Cumis General Insurance Co. v. 1319273 Ontario Ltd. (c.o.b. Done Right Roofing) (2008), 91 O.R. (3d) 147 (C.A.)
  • Jenkyns et al. v. Kassam et al. (2006), [2006] O.J. No. 5495 (S.C.J.)
  • Jenkyns et al. v. Kassam et al. (2006), [2006] O.J. No. 5495 (S.C.J.)
  • Lahaie v. Canada (Attorney General), [2006] O.J. No. 3909 (S.C.J.)
  • 1258816 Ontario Inc. (c.o.b. Ottawa Train Yards) v. Business Depot, [2006] O.J. No. 1007 (C.A.)
  • 1514904 Ontario Ltd. v. Mississippi Mills (Town), [2005] O.J. No. 4711 (S.C.J.)
  • 1258816 Ontario Inc. (c.o.b. Ottawa Train Yards) v. Business Depot, [2005] O.J. No. 3948 (S.C.J.)
  • Campeau v. Robert Campeau Foundation et al., [2005] O.J. No. 1091 (S.C.J.)
  • Toronto-Dominion Bank v. Ardovini, [2004] O.J. No. 5722 (S.C.J.)
  • Jalakh (Litigation Guardian of) v. Zimmerman, [2004] O.J. No. 4144 (C.A.)
  • Hanna-Harik v. Ontario (Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund), [2004] O.J. No. 2081 (C.A.)
  • McClenehan v. Clarke (c.o.b. Clarke & Wright), [2004] O.J. No. 287 (S.C.J.)
  • Maddoloni v. ING Groupe Commerce, [2004] O.J. No. 461 (S.C.J.)
  • Phillips-Renwick v. Renwick Estate (2003), 229 D.L.R.(4th) 158 (S.C.J.)
  • Hanna-Harik v. Ontario (Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (2003), 65 O.R.(3d) 337 (C.A.)
  • Khazzaka v. Commercial Union Assurance Company (2002), 66 O.R.(3d) 390 (C.A.)
  • Pretty v. Ontario (2001), 44 C.E.L.R.(N.S.) 80 (S.C.J.)
  • Jordash Co. Ltd. v. R.E.D. Restaurant Equipment Distributors of Canada, [2001] O.J. No. 3981 (S.C.J.)
  • A.L.F.T., Inc. v. Guardian Insurance Company (2001), 31 C.C.L.I.(3d) 207 (S.C.J.)
  • Hanna-Harik v. Waters, [2001] O.T.C. 446 (S.C.J.)
  • Montreal and Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orth. Church v. Holy Virgin et al. [2001] O.J. No. 528 (C.A.)
  • Montreal and Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orth. Church v. Holy Virgin et al., [2001] O.T.C. 130 (S.C.J.)
  • Marleau v. Savage (2000), 34 R.P.R. (3d) 277 (S.C.J.)
  • Synod of Bishops of ROCOR v. Sever et al. [2000] O.J. No. 2424 (Div.Ct.)
  • Synod of Bishops of ROCOR v. Sever et al., [2000] O.T.C. 70 (S.C.J.)
  • Khazzaka v. Commercial Union Assurance Company [1999] O.J. No. 3583
  • Barber v. Sauvé [1999] O.J. No. 5456
  • Grenier v. Canadian General Insurance Company (1999), 43 O.R. (3d) 715 (C.A.)
  • 670685 Ontario Inc. v. Ottawa (City of), [1999] O.J. No. 3583 (S.C.J.)
  • Marleau v. Savage (1998), 22 R.P.R.(3d) 70 (S.C.J.)
  • Larose v. Osgoode (Town of), [1998] O.J. No. 3189 (C.A.)
  • El-Chakar v. Johnston (1998), 59 O.T.C. 1 (S.C.J.)
  • Guardian Insurance Company of Canada v. Askari, [1997] O.J. No. 3222 (S.C.J.)
  • Grenier v. Canadian General Insurance Company (1997), 32 O.R.(3d) 343 (Gen.Div.)
  • 839356 Ontario Inc. v. 156170 Canada Ltd.(1995), [1995] O.J. No. 687 (Gen.Div.)

About Joseph

Joseph is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in Civil Litigation. He practices primarily in the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He has been involved in a number of court cases which have had a significant impact on the development of jurisprudence in the Province of Ontario. His cases have been reported widely in the Law Times, The Lawyers’ Weekly and both national and local newspapers.

Joseph’s outstanding contribution as an advocate in the Superior Court and Court of Appeal earned him the Regional Senior Justice Award in 2004. He was the award’s inaugural recipient.

In addition to his extensive experience before the courts, Joseph has been invited to speak at numerous conferences sponsored by the Law Society of Upper Canada, the County of Carleton Law Association, the Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association and others. His papers have been distributed as part of the educational materials provided at these conferences and published in the Law Society’s Special Lectures and the Advocates’ Quarterly.

Joseph Y. Obagi was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada for his work in Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation.

Joseph Y. Obagi’s Awards

east regional senior justice award

Recipient of the East Regional Senior Justice Award
(Feb. 12, 2004)

best lawyers logo

Joseph Y. Obagi was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada for his work in Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation.
(2015-2022)

Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
exterior of supreme court building in ottawa ontario

Joseph is very honest, kind and caring, trustworthy and effective. He has a big heart.

Johnny L • Read More Testimonials

Injured? Get the compensation you deserve.

We offer a free initial consultation. Please contact us today to set up an initial meeting to discuss the particulars of your case.

Book a Free Consultation