From the firm’s humble beginnings 90 years ago, Thomson Rogers LLP remains a familiar name on the legal landscape. Not only are we one of Ontario’s leading personal injury firms, but we also continue to provide excellent legal services in the fields of family law, municipal, planning and expropriation, medical malpractice and class actions. Before we move ahead, let’s look back from where we came: here is the evolution of Thomson Rogers LLP.
1930s
Founded by Edson Haines
Founding member Edson L. Haines was called to the bar of Ontario in 1930. After a few years of practice he struck out on his own in 1935 practicing under the name of E. L. Haines and Co., working in the Federal Building in Toronto, and from these humble beginnings, Thomson Rogers LLP eventually emerged.
Edson was soon joined by his younger brother Douglas, who was called to the bar in 1937. Thus began an association of the two brothers, who in 1939, carried on business under the firm name of Haines & Haines.
1940s
A Time to Grow
After World War II and as the firm began to grow, Douglas developed a plaintiff’s personal injury practice, while Edson handled the insurance defence side.
William Park Rogers articled at Haines & Haines (1948) and became a close disciple of Edson. Berence James (B.J.) Thomson referred litigation files to Haines & Haines. Douglas and B.J. became friends, leading to him joining the firm (1950).
1950s
The Firm Continues to Grow
On or about September 15, 1950, the firm changed its name to Haines, Thomson, Rogers.
Ken Howie and Phil Benson became partners on March 1, 1953. The name changed to reflect the two additional partners and for a short time was known as Haines, Thomson, Rogers, Benson and Howie.
The name changed once again in 1954 to Haines, Thomson, Rogers, Benson, Howie and Freeman, following the admission of L.R. Freeman to the partnership.
Keith Gibson, Douglas Goudie and Ralph Howie became partners in 1958.
1960s
‘Thomson, Rogers’ Begins
With over two and half decades under its belt, in 1960, the firm now had over a dozen lawyers and continued to grow its reputation as preeminent leaders in advocacy.
In 1962, Edson Haines is appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of Ontario.
In1966, the firm, then known as Haines, Thomson, Macaulay, Howie & Freeman, shortened this sometimes-cumbersome recital to two names: Thomson, Rogers: the same two names it goes by today.
1970s
Full Service Law Firm
The 1970’s marked the beginning of a significant change in the firm’s direction and mission. The firm experienced a period of rapid expansion, growing to to 54 lawyers by 1972, of which Lawrence Mandel became a partner in 1970. Given the growth, in 1973 the firm moved to its current office at 390 Bay Street. The firm was indeed a “full service” law firm, one of the largest in Toronto, during the early 1970’s. At or about the same time, the early formation of today’s substantial plaintiff’s personal injury practice was developing. The municipal law section in the early 1970’s was and still is an integral part of Thomson Rogers LLP.
1980s
Milestones in Municipal and Family Law
“Thomson, Rogers” as it was now known, continued to prosper and grow. The firm continued to provide services to the insurance industry and had developed an expertise in the defence of negligence claims brought against municipalities. In 1986, several partners, including Alan Farrer, Richard Halpern, Leonard Kunka and Jeffrey Wilker under the leadership of Hillel David, collaborated in the writing of “Thomson, Rogers on Municipal Liability”, one of the first comprehensive textbooks written about this area of the law. Thomson, Rogers started family and matrimonial legal expertise with the arrival of Pat Schmidt in 1986.
1990s
Leaving Defence Behind
As the firm moved into the 1990’s it became more challenging for Thomson, Rogers to maintain a strong defence presence largely because of the increased strength of its plaintiff’s personal injury practice. Ultimately it was decided that Thomson, Rogers would leave the insurance defence practice area and concentrate on its core business, plaintiff’s personal injury work.
2010s
Making Headlines
The firm solidified its leadership in personal injury and class action litigation, handling numerous landmark cases and securing significant settlements.
At the end of the decade, Stephen D’Agostino became the Managing Partner, and still is today. George Karahotzitis became the head of the Family Law department.
2025
Thomson Rogers LLP
Ahead of the firm’s 90th anniversary, it becomes a LLP. The firm continues to grow from strength to strength.
No history would be complete without a very special thank you and acknowledgment of the many support staff, secretaries, law clerks, legal assistants, lawyers and many others who have helped the firm maintain its prominence over the past 90 years.
As Thomson Rogers LLP prepares for the opportunities that await us in the next 90 years, we will continue to reflect on the principles of integrity, honesty, humility, hard work and dedication to the needs of our clients. These core values have been and remain the pillars upon which the success of our firm not only rests, but also depends.
It is our strong belief that Thomson Rogers LLP will continue to succeed by providing excellent legal services for all those who place their trust in us to handle their legal affairs.