Christopher Horkins

Partner

 | Toronto

Chris Horkins is a partner in the Litigation Group at Cassels. Chris is the Chair of the firm’s Product Liability Group and a key member of the firm’s Franchise Law Group and Commercial Litigation and Arbitration team.

Chris has been recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in Canada, Lexpert, Who’s Who Legal, and Benchmark Litigation, which has repeatedly named Chris to its prestigious “40 & Under List” honouring the top emerging litigators in Canada aged 40 and under.

Chris maintains a broad commercial litigation practice including franchise law, product liability, securities litigation, and class actions. Some of his recent representative mandates include:

  • Acting for the successful franchisor in Raibex Canada Ltd. v ASWR Franchising Corp., 2018 ONCA 62, a leading case on franchise disclosure and the rescission of franchise agreements under Ontario’s franchise statute, the Arthur Wishart Act.
  • Securing a rare dismissal for delay of a product liability claim on behalf of an automotive manufacturer in Fazal v ABC Corporation, 2022 ONSC 4358, with over $100,000 in costs awarded against the plaintiffs.
  • Defending six former directors and officers of Sears Canada in multiple complex claims seeking over $500 million in damages arising from the company’s insolvency.
  • Defending a major Canadian bank in a $1 billion class action alleging price-fixing in the foreign currency exchange markets contrary to the Competition Act.
  • Defending a publicly traded licensed cannabis producer in a national shareholder class action alleging secondary market misrepresentation claims.

Chris also has experience assisting regulated professionals in complaints and discipline matters and has represented clients before various regulatory tribunals including the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada, Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario, and College of Early Childhood Educators.

Chris is a member of the International Association of Defence Counsel, an invitation-only global legal organization for lawyers who represent corporate and insurance interests. Chris is also an active member of the Advocates’ Society, where he has served as the past Chair of the Young Advocates’ Standing Committee and is currently a member of the Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee. He also serves on the Canadian Franchise Association’s Law Day Committee and the leadership of the Product Liability Committee of the Defence Research Institute.

  • Benchmark Litigation (Future Star, 40 & Under List: Canada)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada (Class Action Litigation, Franchise Law)
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Franchise Law: Franchisor, Litigation: Corporate Commercial, Litigation: Product Liability)
  • Who’s Who Legal: Canada (Franchise)
  • Who’s Who Legal: Franchise
  • Certificate (Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop), Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development, 2018
  • Certificate (Business Essentials for Lawyers), University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, 2014
  • J.D., Queen’s University, 2011
  • B.A. (Hons.) (Political Science and English), Queen’s University, 2008
  • Ontario, 2012
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Defence Research Institute
  • International Association of Defence Counsel
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • The Advocates’ Society, Member, Mid-Career Advocates Standing Committee; Past Chair, Young Advocates Standing Committee