ottawa skyline

Areas of Practice

  • Serious Personal Injury and Death Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice Litigation

Education

  • 1975 Called to Bar of Ontario
  • 1973 LL.B. University of Ottawa
  • 1970 B.A. Carleton University

Professional Affiliations

  • Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (Past President and Director)
  • Trial Lawyers for Veterans
  • American Association for Justice
  • Advocates Society
  • County of Carleton Law Association
  • Osgoode Society
  • Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Ottawa
  • Bertram Loeb Organ Donation Institute

Papers, Publications & Presentations

  • September 15 and 22, 2022, Will Davidson – CLE Webinar – Marshalling the Evidence for Trial
  • November 4, 2021, Gluckstein Lawyers – Medical Malpractice – Risky Business – A panel discussion on Electronic Trials
  • December 2021, Investment Portfolio v Structure Annuity (Rountable OTLA)
  • November 2021, Electronic Trials Panel Discussion (Gluckstein Conference)
  • September 2021, The Advantages & Challenges of Conducting a Zoom Trial, panelist (Will Conference)
  • May 2019, Dealing with Experts in Complicated Medical Negligence Claims, (OBA)
  • May 2018, Examination in Chief of Accountant in Jury Trial (OBA)
  • September 2016, Protecting Our Children in School from Dangerous Products (OBA)
  • November 2015, Ethical and Legal Challenges in Representing Children (LSUC)
  • October 2015, Complex Accounting Evidence with the Self-Employed Plaintiff
  • October 2015, Key Case Update for 2015
  • October 2015, Conference Co-Chair, Advocating for Damages (OTLA)
  • July 2014, Conducting a Paperless Trial Examination in Hospital Using IPAD and Apple TV (AAJ)
  • April 2013, Digging for Hidden Gold in Electronic Hospital Records
  • Fall, 2012, Conference Co-Chair, Playbook for Trial, Rolling Out Winning Strategies
  • Fall, 2011, Cases That Have Influenced the Way We Practice, co-author, The Litigator
  • May, 2010 Refusal to Settle Within Limits by Insurers
  • September, 2009 Infants and Contingency Agreements
  • April, 2009 Osborne and Jury Trials
  • November 2008: Contingency Fees – Access Road to Justice (panelist Montebello)
  • May, 2008 Liability Across the Seasons: Boats, Snowmobiles, ATV’s, Go-Karts, and More
  • April, 2008 How to Deal with Treating Doctors
  • January, 2008 Interviewing the Absent Expert & Healthcare Confidentiality
  • November, 2007 Pre-Trial Expert Issues (Advocates Society)
  • November, 2007 Court Approval for Parties Under Disability (Panelist Montebello)
  • October, 2007 Assault by a Doctor: Negligence or Intentional Act
  • April, 2007 Defendant’s Testimony in Medical Malpractice Litigation
  • March, 2007 Use of Demonstrative Aids & Working with Experts
  • November, 2005 The Monetary Threshold Barrier and Fatal Accidents in Ontario
  • May, 2005 Practical Strategies for Drafting Contingency Fee Agreements in Ontario
  • April, 2005 Moon v. Sher – Fixing Costs and the Test of Reasonableness
  • November, 2004 Bill 198 Amendments, the One Year Retrospective
  • February, 2004 Don’t Cut Insurance Rates on backs of injured
  • January, 2004 How to Get Co-operation from the Defence When Acting for the Plaintiff
  • January, 2004 Premium pretence threatens victims’ access to courts
  • January, 2004 Farmers and Phantom Automobile Insurance Coverage
  • January, 2004 Bill 198 Insurance Act Amendments
  • November, 2003 Bill 198 Insurance Act Amendments: The Next Mutation
  • November, 2003 Assessment of Damages in Personal Injury (Panelist Montebello)
  • September, 2003 Mrs. Snider and auto insurance premiums
  • August, 2003 Accident Victims pay for new Ontario auto insurance plan
  • August, 2003 Auto Insurance rates sustainable without taxing the innocent
  • October, 2002 Family Protection Endorsement O.P.C.F. 44R Updated
  • October, 2001 Accessing Background Information on Experts
  • January, 2001 Mandatory Mediation as a Tool to Settle Personal Injury Claims
  • January, 2000 Clearing the Fog that Hangs Over an Employer Derksen v. 539938 Ontario Ltd.
  • November, 1999 Ways to Level the Playing Field with the No-Fault Insurer
  • October, 1996 Does Your Claim Cross the Threshold – A Road Map to AIRS Bill 59

For further information, regarding these publications and papers, please contact Thomas Connolly at tom.connolly@connollyobagi.com.

Government Submissions and Consultations

  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor on Submission to the Ontario Government and the Financial Services Commission on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association called “Ontario Auto Insurance Five-Year Review: Access to Justice and a Balanced System dated July 14, 2008”.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submission to the Ontario Government on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in reference to the Government’s Proposed Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Regulation Consultation, January 28, 2005.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor on Submission to the Ontario Government on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in reference to the Government’s Proposed Elimination of Designated Assessment Centres, January 6, 2005.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated October 7, 2004, regarding the Cost Grid.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated October 1, 2004, on Discovery Reform and Confidentiality of Mandatory Mediation.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor on Submission to the Ontario Government on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in reference to the Government’s Proposed Customized Auto Insurance Policy, September 25, 2004.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to Attorney General for Ontario on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated September 24, 2004, on Taxation and Payment of Personal Injury Damage Awards.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to Attorney General for Ontario on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated April 22, 2004, on New Proposed Regulation under the Solicitors Act on Contingency Fees.
  • Tom Connolly, Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Insurance Stakeholder’s Meeting, Co-representative on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyer’s Association, North York , Ontario , April 6, 2004.
  • Tom Connolly, Contributor of Submission to the Ontario Government on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in reference to the Government’s Proposed Expert Assessor Network March 31, 2004.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated September 26, 2003 in response to Request for Comments on the Cost Grid proposal.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated September 25, 2003 in response to Request for Comments on proposed amendments to Rule 49 “Offers to Settle”.
  • Tom Connolly, Submissions to the Liberal Auto Insurance Reform Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association on July 10, 2003 at Queen’s Park, Consultations on White Paper “Lower Rates for a Change; the Liberal Plan for Auto Insurance”.
  • Tom Connolly, Submissions to Ontario Minister of Finance Janet Ecker on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association on July 10, 2003, Queen’s Park, regarding the Government’s White Paper “Automobile Insurance Affordability Plan for Ontario, Next Steps”.
  • Tom Connolly, Lead Contributor of Submission on behalf of Ontario Trial Lawyer’s Association to The Honourable Mr. Justice Colin Campbell, Task Force on the Discovery Process in Ontario, for the Attorney General and the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario, January 24, 2003.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated January 15, 2003, in response to Request of Associate Chief Justice O”Connor for comments on the Cost Grid.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor, Response of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) dated March 13, 2003 to the Government’s Proposed Regulations to Accompany “The Promise for a Strong Economy Act Budget Measures, 2002” which received Royal Ascent on December 9, 2002.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to Attorney General for Ontario on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated October 30, 2002, on Courts of Justice Act Amendments Restricting Jury Trials.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submission to the Ontario Government on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association called “Maintaining Integrity in the Ontario Auto Insurance System” dated October 7, 2002 in reference to the Government’s Proposed Auto Insurance Legislative Changes dated September 25, 2002.
  • Tom Connolly, Co-Contributor of Submissions to the Ontario Civil Rules Committee on behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association dated January 21,2001 on Consultation regarding the Cost Grid.
  • Tom Connolly, Submissions to Ontario Government Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on Auto Insurance Reform, Ottawa Hearing, called “One Voice for Innocent Victims”, February 28, 1996

About Tom

Tom Connolly founded Connolly Obagi LLP with Joseph Obagi in 2008 to pursue his vision of a personal injury firm dedicated to service to clients involved in serious personal injury claims, including disability, death and medical malpractice claims. That has led to creating a client-centred team approach focused on getting to know each client, and providing clients with educational material to make them feel in charge of his or her own case. With over 47 years of practice, Tom is known for extensive experience and strength in obtaining results for his clients. He is personally involved in every case he accepts, with the help of an outstanding team of associate lawyers, law clerks and assistants.

Tom is a Past President and a current director of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, which is an association of leading civil trial lawyers in Ontario. He plays an active role in continuing legal education involving presentations to lawyers and law students. In addition, he has written many articles on various aspects of civil litigation and in particular on personal injury and insurance issues.

On May 22, 2008, Tom was presented with the John McLeish Award, one of the top awards of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, for his outstanding contribution and leading role in furthering excellence in advocacy skills for trial lawyers. Tom is the fourth recipient of the Award which is awarded to a person, association or group making an outstanding contribution to the goals of a fair trial and access to justice.

On November 17, 2023 Tom was awarded the OTLA Distinguished Trial Lawyer Award at the Celebration of the Personal Injury Bar gala dinner held in Toronto. Tom was chosen as the Plaintiffs Distinguish Trial Lawyer for the year 2023. This award is given to recognize exceptional contribution and achievement as a Trial Lawyer.

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory lists Tom as a repeatedly recommended practitioner in the area of personal injury law, as recommended by his peers in the legal profession.

Tom is a director of the Bertram Loeb Organ Donation Institute. This charitable institute undertakes projects to support organ and tissue donation and to contribute to a sustainable increase in the rate of organ donation in Canada. The Institute supports a Chair in organ and tissue research at the University of Ottawa.

Tom Connolly’s Awards

john mcleish award

Recipient of the John McLeish Award on May, 22, 2008
This Award is granted by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. For outstanding contribution and a leading role in furthering excellence in advocacy skills for trial lawyers.

Recipient of the OTLA Distinguish Trial Lawyer Award on November 17, 2023.

This Award was presented at the Celebration of the Personal Injury gala dinner in Toronto

exterior of supreme court building in ottawa ontario

Tom is a power house lawyer who is professional and knows his stuff which resulted in a successful lawsuit outcome for me and my family.

Deena Addis • Read More Testimonials

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