Anthony O’Brien

First Year of Call
2008 Ontario

Areas of Practice
Class Actions

Description
Anthony specializes in prosecuting complex class actions, with a focus on securities class actions on behalf of retail and institutional investors.

Anthony’s practice focuses on representing retail and institutional investors in securities class actions and other shareholder rights litigation. He has been counsel to the class in a number of domestic and cross-border securities class actions alleging misrepresentations in prospectuses, continuous disclosure and merger transaction documents, and other misconduct.

Anthony has been involved in numerous securities class actions that have resulted in settlements for the benefit of the class, including SNC-Lavalin Group ($110 million), Agnico-Eagle Mines ($17 million), Smart Technologies (US$15.25 million), Tahoe Resources (US$13.5 million), Canadian Solar (US$13 million), Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation ($6.5 million) and Donnybrook Energy/Donnycreek Energy ($5.5 million).

Anthony is passionate about his practice as a class action lawyer at Siskinds: “Since their introduction in Canada, class actions have been an enormously powerful tool in providing access to justice to Canadians. Class actions have resulted in compensation being paid to Canadians to rectify a wide range of harmful behaviour. I am extremely proud to be a part of the Siskinds team that has been at the vanguard of the development of this area.”

He understands the value of securities class actions to his clients. “All Canadians have an interest in ensuring that our capital markets operate in a fair and transparent manner. The value of their investments held in trading accounts, retirement savings plans and pension funds are impacted when companies in which they have placed their trust and money engage in misconduct. Class actions are vital in providing compensation when that happens and in deterring other companies from engaging in similar behaviour.”

Anthony volunteers his time at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Investor Protection Clinic, which provides pro bono legal services to individuals who have suffered investment losses.

Anthony brings a unique international perspective to his class action practice, having previously worked with Australia’s pre-eminent plaintiff class action law firm. While there, he was involved in a securities class action that resulted in a settlement of $132.5 million for the class. Prior to joining Siskinds, he also worked in the corporate and securities department of one of Canada’s leading law firms. He is admitted to practice in Ontario and Australia.

Anthony is based in the Toronto office of Siskinds LLP.