Recent Legal Industry Moves in Canada

Prominent class-action litigator Margaret Waddell is making a significant move in her legal career by leaving the firm she co-founded over seven years ago to join Sotos LLP. Known for her work on high-profile social-justice cases involving allegations of institutional wrongdoing, Waddell’s decision to leave Waddell Phillips PC was not an easy one.

In an interview, Waddell expressed that while it was difficult to leave a firm with her name on the wall, she was drawn to the talent and resources that Sotos could offer. She emphasized that her priority is serving the class members on her cases and believes that joining Sotos will enable her to do an even better job for them.

During her time at Waddell Phillips, Waddell worked on a variety of cases, including consumer-protection cases and residential school survivor lawsuits. Notably, in 2022, she secured a $10-million settlement against the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in a case involving allegations of inappropriate conduct by a former instructor.

Waddell’s decision to move to Sotos also involved considerations of succession planning and the lengthy timelines often associated with class-action cases. She noted that the lawyers at Sotos are younger and positioned to carry on the work of resolving complex cases that can take years to reach a conclusion.

John Yiokaris, the co-managing partner at Sotos, expressed confidence in Waddell’s abilities and the value she will bring to the firm. He highlighted her experience in class-action and complex litigation, stating that she will elevate the firm’s commitment to excellence in advocacy and client service.

Waddell is set to start at Sotos on January 1, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her legal career. Her move is part of a series of significant changes in the legal world at the end of 2024, including other notable lawyers making moves to different firms to further their careers and expertise in various practice areas.