Teresa Dufort Photo
Teresa Dufort Photo
Teresa Dufort Photo

Teresa Dufort is widely regarded as a top litigation and dispute resolution lawyer. Her practice focuses on product liability defence and products-related regulatory issues in the automotive, industrial manufacturing and consumer products sectors.

Acting as lead Canadian counsel to numerous Canadian, American, European and Asian manufacturers and distributors, Teresa has an exceptional record of success in defending individual and commercial product liability lawsuits, including class actions. She has acted for clients in disputes involving motor vehicles, fire and security products, medical devices, consumer products, recreational products, construction and industrial machinery, building materials and swimming pools. Teresa has significant experience in directing “same product” litigation across Canada, including the defence of standards development and certification bodies in pattern litigation.

In addition to providing regulatory advice in relation to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Teresa routinely handles product recalls, and works extensively on global recall teams with US and European counsel. She is a frequent advisor and advocate on behalf of consumer and commercial product manufacturers, advancing their interests with Health Canada, Transport Canada and Environment Canada (vehicle emissions), as well as Ontario’s Technical Standards & Safety Authority and Electrical Safety Authority.

Teresa was McMillan LLP’s CEO and Managing Partner from 2016 to 2021.



Speaking Engagements

Where and When in the World do We Report This? - ICPHSO

February 2015

Cross Border Automotive Class Actions and Settlements DRI Product Liability Conference

April 10, 2014

Conducting the Cross-Border Recall – Practical Considerations Canadian Institute

June 18, 2013

CCPSA – Trigger for Reporting – The "TWO DAY" Report ICPHSO

February 2012

News


Rankings & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2024 Whos’ Who Legal: Product Liability Defence Guide
  • Recognized in the 2024 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide
  • Recognized in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Litigation – Product Liability
  • Recognized in the 2023 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers as a Leading Litigation Lawyer
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Class Action Litigation and Product Liability Law
  • Recognized in the 2023 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as a Litigation Star
  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Global 2022 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2022 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Class Action Litigation and Product Liability Law
  • Listed in the 2022 Who’s Who Legal: Product Liability Defence Report
  • Recognized in the 2022 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as a Litigation Star
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Class Action Litigation and Product Liability Law
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Global 2021 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2021 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers as a Leading Litigation Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2021 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as Top 50 Women in Litigation
  • Recognized in the 2021 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as a Litigation Star
  • Recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Class Action Litigation and Product Liability
  • Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended lawyer in the area of Litigation: Product Liability
  • Recognized in the 2020 Benchmark Litigation: Canada Guide as a Litigation Star
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2020 as a leader in Product Liability Defence
  • Teresa is listed among the top lawyers in her field in numerous publications and rankings including Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, the Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada, Lexpert/ROB Litigation – Special Edition Guide, Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal Canada, the International Who’s Who of International Product Liability Defence Lawyers and Guide to the Leading Women in Business Law.

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Canadian Defence Lawyers Association
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute
  • International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization

Education & Admissions

1984
Called to the Ontario bar
1982
LLBOsgoode Hall Law School
1977
BA (Honours)Trent University

Publications

Insights (2 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Transport Canada driving forward with administrative monetary penalties under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Transport Canada releases an informal consultation as the latest step to creating the new Motor Vehicle Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations.

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Oct 22, 2020
Featured Insight

Motor Vehicle Safety Act Amendments Put Transport Minister in the Driver’s Seat with New Recall, Investigation and Penalty Related Powers

Canadian motor vehicle and equipment manufacturers and importers need to be aware of new powers given to Transport Canada.

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Mar 21, 2018