Stephen M. Birman

Stephen M. Birman

Partner

Practice highlights

Biography

Stephen Birman graduated from the University of Toronto law school in 2007.

Stephen joined Thomson Rogers as an Associate in 2009, where his practice has focused largely on personal injury litigation and class action litigation.

Stephen has successfully litigated significant claims as lead counsel in the Ontario Superior Court and at the License Appeals Tribunal and Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

Stephen is relentless in pursuing claims against insurance companies on behalf of his clients. Stephen was most recently successful in 2022 in a 5 week jury trial over long-term disability benefits in the Ontario Superior Court, where the jury made the largest known punitive damages award and aggravated damages award against an insurance company in a disability claim. Stephen was also the first lawyer in Ontario to receive a maximum special award on behalf of his client at the License Appeals Tribunal in 2017.

Stephen has a long history of helping vulnerable individuals pursue class action litigation as well. He spent the first 3 years of his career working with residential school survivors and helped survivors advance compensation claims under Canada’s largest class action settlement. Stephen has been involved in numerous other class action decisions and is currently part of the Thomson, Rogers team pursuing claims arising out of alleged nursing home negligence and business interruption losses during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as significant claims regarding CPAP medical devices recalled by Philips Respironics.

Stephen prides himself on his ability to help clients understand and feel informed and in control throughout the various stages of the litigation process. Stephen is a Certified Litigation Specialist as recognized by the Law Society of Ontario. Stephen has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. Stephen has earned the highest peer rating of AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell® for his legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards.

Stephen is past Vice-Chair of the Community Head Injury Resource Services – an organization that provides services to improve the quality of life of persons living with an acquired brain injury.

Stephen is an avid tennis player and follower of all things related to Canadian Sports. When out of the office, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter.

Year of Call

2008

Education

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Queen’s University, 2004
  • Juris Doctorate, University of Toronto, 2007

Accreditations

  • Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation)
  • LEXPERT® Ranked Lawyer
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Ranked Lawyer, AV Preeminent®
  • Member of FAIR (Fair Association of Victims for Accident Insurance Reform)

Testimonials

Logan M.

They really went to bat for me in negotiations with the City. I am very happy with the settlement I received for the accident. The Lawyer Stephen Birman and his assistant Erinna and other staff are amazing and made me feel at ease considering I was quite nervous when I arrived in their office for negotiations. I can see why their Law Practice has been rated #1 in Canada. DP Scarborough, Ontario Stephen Birman and his team are second to none. I appreciated all the guidance they provided my brother as they assisted him with every step of the process. I would definitely recommend Stephen’s expertise. LM Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

Monica

My Lawyers; David MacDonald, Stephen Birman and Lucy Jacksonn, along with Senior Law Clerk Christina Chimonides, are an absolute, amazing legal team. My late brother, also a lawyer, was very impressed with them. I am very impressed with their knowledge, professionalism, quick responses, genuine compassion, and no-nonsense attitude in dealing with defendants in my case. I am very happy with the work done so far on my case. I highly recommend this legal team!!

Hal G.

Stephen Birman was very helpful and professional. He always made himself available to me whenever I needed to ask a question or discuss an issue with him. He was very good at resolving our case in a timely and efficient manner. He explained things very clearly when we didn’t understand and made us feel valued.

Jeremiah A.

My first meeting with Stephen Birman was on Friday May 17, 2013 at the 390 Bay Street offices of Thomson Rogers. Though in pain after a motor car accident, I was wowed by his courteous listening and tone reflected in his responses. His attitude and behaviour turned out to be therapeutic by the way he empathized and solved problems. Throughout our interactions, which went on till October 2016, Stephen was highly professional. He came across – borne out by results he obtained – as very competent, confident, and experienced in handling accident benefit and tort claims. He provided invaluable advice, set the right expectations and delivered beyond the set expectations. Stephen Birman is an excellent communicator. In being so, he allayed my fears, my anxieties and lowered my stress levels. The masterful way in which he orchestrated/coordinated referrals to/with various therapists went a very long way in providing me with the healing I needed. Stephen Birman is a natural, born into his profession. I was lucky to have met Stephen Birman of Thomson Rogers upon whom I cast all my accident benefit and tort claims cares. I could not have had any better!

John W.

In April 2014 I was involved in a traffic accident on the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto. I was hit from behind while at a dead stop by another driver travelling at roughly 90 Kms/hour. As a result of the accident I was left with head, neck, shoulder and back injuries. A good friend recommended that I speak with Thomson Rogers and specifically with Stephen Birman one of the Partners of the firm. Stephen took the time to meet with me to discuss the details of my accident and together with a diary that I kept from the day of the accident, he took copious notes of the event and laid out the approach that he would take to represent me. Due to the nature of my injuries, I regularly met with doctors and specialists to address my medical condition over a period of more than 2 years and I met with Stephen on a regular basis to discuss my medical condition and to obtain updates on the status of the work being done by the Firm to as part of the preparation of the Statement of Claim that was being prepared on my behalf. The attention to detail, the communication and the approach used by Stephen was first class and exceeded my expectations. Over a period of more than 2 years, Stephen represented me and my Statement of Claim eventually resulted in mediation taking place in late 2016. Stephen fully briefed me before the mediation and he outlined the process and what I should expect to take place on the day of the mediation. The result, an acceptable settlement was reached in late 2016. If you are looking for a first class firm to represent you in the event you are in an accident, I recommend that you contact Thomson Rogers and Stephen Birman. Many thanks to the firm for representing me during this difficult time in my life.


Press


Blog

I Am Receiving Long Term Disability, Should I Apply For CPP Disability Benefits?

I Am Receiving Long Term Disability, Should I Apply For CPP Disability Benefits?

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TR Law Big Win Blue Cross

Thomson Rogers Legal Team Secures Largest Known Punitive Damages Jury Award in an LTD Claim on Record

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Resist Discussing Legal Advice With Your Rehabilitation Providers

Resist Discussing Legal Advice With Your Rehabilitation Providers

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How Car Insurers Can Help Accident Victims During The COVID-19 Crisis

How Car Insurers Can Help Accident Victims During The COVID-19 Crisis

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Thomson Rogers Office Meeting

What to Expect at the Mediation of your Personal Injury Claim – One Lawyer’s Perspective

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TR Law

ABR Updater: Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule Discriminates Against Chronic Pain Victims And Violates Charter Rights

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Presentations

December 06, 2019

Discharge Planning and Financial Considerations Following a Traumatic Injury

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May 31, 2019

Best Practices for Vocational Evaluators in Preparing Expert Reports and Testifying in Court

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December 05, 2017

Tips for Plaintiffs When Pursuing Pre-judgment Interest Claims in Settlement Negotiations and Beyond

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March 10, 2016

Then and Now: Recent Changes in Automobile Insurance Legislation in Ontario

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September 27, 2011

How to Succeed before the Financial Services Commission of Ontario: Practice Tips from Mediation to Arbitration – The Insured’s Perspective

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October 21, 2010

The 3 Most Important Changes to the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule From the Perspective of Hospital Trauma Workers

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Team Members


Resources

November 30, 2020

Navigating ethical issues facing healthcare providers

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August 02, 2016

Your Uber Ride is Now Covered by Insurance But Further Coverage is Recommended

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April 18, 2016

Major Accident Benefits Changes Come into Effect on June 1st, 2016

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March 29, 2016

Sexual Assault Victims No Longer Face Limitation Periods for Advancing Civil Claims

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December 07, 2015

Eugenie Bouchard initiates personal injury claim against the US Open

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June 01, 2015

CROSSING THE THRESHOLD: WHEN DOES THE LIMITATION PERIOD CLOCK START TO TICK?

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March 03, 2014

Client of Thomson Rogers succeeds in long fight over weekly benefits claim at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO)

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April 11, 2008

Feints and Flanks: The Winning Conditions for Motions as Effective Manoeuvres

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