Canadian Lawyer Magazine Feature: Thomson Rogers LLP’s 90-Year Legacy

Canadian Lawyer Magazine spotlights the 90th anniversary of Thomson Rogers LLP in a feature article recognizing the firm as a trailblazer in personal injury law and litigation in Canada. Celebrated for its deep roots, forward-thinking vision, and a culture grounded in mentorship and innovation, Thomson Rogers continues to shape the future of legal advocacy.

Read the full Canadian Lawyer Magazine article.

Top 3 Takeaways from the Canadian Lawyer Feature 

1. A Legacy of Legal Leadership 
   For 90 years, Thomson Rogers has led the way in personal injury and civil litigation, built on a foundation of ethics, preparedness, and strategic advocacy. Its alumni include respected judges, political leaders, and some of the country’s top litigators. 

2. Mentorship with Impact 
   Thomson Rogers doesn’t leave mentoring to chance. Its strategic, purposeful approach ensures young lawyers gain meaningful experience, setting them up to lead the next generation of litigation. 

3. Ahead of the Curve 
   From early mass tort leadership to pioneering legal tech adoption, the firm continues to evolve just ahead of the industry — not chasing trends, but setting them. 

Since its founding in 1935, Thomson Rogers LLP has built a reputation not only for courtroom excellence but also for influencing generations of lawyers, landmark cases, and public policy. As the firm marks this milestone anniversary, its lawyers reflect on the values and vision that have defined nearly a century of legal service — and what comes next. 

For managing partner Stephen D’Agostino, the legacy is clear and foundational: 

“We’re the history of Bay Street litigation and continue to shape the field today.” 

That rich history is carried forward by lawyers like Ian Furlong, who credits the firm’s reputation with opening doors that former generations helped build: 

“I get these calls because somebody that was once sitting at my desk did a good job for them.” 

Deanna Gilbert illustrates how that legacy is actively passed down through intentional, hands-on mentorship: 

“There’s a baseline: you know what you’re getting when you’ve got a TR lawyer on a file.” 

The feature article traces the firm’s rich history while spotlighting the diverse departments that continue to shape its identity today, including personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, municipal planning, and expropriation.

Thomson Rogers’ 90-year journey is marked by landmark litigation, public policy influence, and a client-first mentality that transcends trends. From its role in major class actions like the residential schools case to its advocacy in pushing for insurance reform, the firm consistently operates with one foot in today’s legal challenges and the other in shaping tomorrow’s solutions. It is a firm that invests deeply — not just in winning cases, but in building people. 

The firm’s long-standing commitment to innovation has also set it apart. It was one of the earliest law firms to integrate computing technology in the 1980s, and today it is applying the same foresight to artificial intelligence — carefully testing tools through a collaborative working group of partners, associates, and legal staff to ensure only client-focused solutions make the cut. Innovation at Thomson Rogers is not about bells and whistles; it’s about better outcomes. 

As Canadian Lawyer’s anniversary profile makes clear, Thomson Rogers isn’t simply celebrating its past — it’s doubling down on the values that have carried it through nine decades: advocacy, integrity, mentorship, and excellence. Its lawyers are not only the stewards of a proud tradition, but the architects of its future. With a legacy that continues to inspire trust and a vision aimed squarely at what’s next, the firm’s best chapters may still lie ahead. 

Read the full Canadian Lawyer Magazine article.