Brenda Hollingsworth

Partner Areas of Practice * Personal Injury * Civil Litigation * Employment Law * Administrative Law * Class Actions * Criminal Defence

Profile

Brenda Hollingsworth is a personal injury and commercial litigation lawyer based in Ottawa. She is a founding partner in the law firm of Auger Hollingsworth. See Brenda Hollingsworth at a speaking engagement in this video.

Educational Distinction: Brenda graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa Law School, graduating 10th in her class of more than 200.

Practice Areas: Brenda's personal injury practice helps clients who have been injured or have died as the result of an accidental injury, a medical mistake made by a doctor or nurse, a slip and fall, a dangerous or defective product, nursing home abuse or neglect, or a crime.

Brenda is also a seasoned commercial litigator. She has handled significant business disputes, including winding-up applications, breach of contract matters, breaches of non-competition agreements, debt collection and many other types of business claims.

In-Depth Experience: Brenda has aggressively represented clients who have suffered serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents (ranging from orthopedic to brain injuries), cycling accidents, boating accidents and sexual assaults. In addition, Brenda represented a woman who injured herself in a slip and fall accident, from which the woman became a quadriplegic. Brenda was also one of a team of lawyers who represented a man who suffered a severe injury in a boating accident, and whose wife died in the same accident. Brenda represented clients in a large class action lawsuit that involved defective heart valves. See more of the positive results Brenda has won for her clients here.

Currently, Brenda represents many accident victims who are pursuing claims against the other drivers, as well as accident benefits from their own insurers.

Unusual Perspective: Brenda's experience representing criminal accused is often useful in civil court. When she recently represented the victim of sexual assault, her knowledge of criminal law was a major advantage because she knew how to use criminal proceedings to her client's full benefit. In addition, Brenda's experience defending insurance companies has given her insider knowledge that now helps her prosecute her plaintiff clients' claims effectively.

Education and Honors: In 1991, Brenda earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in English at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. In 1992, she earned a Master of Arts Degree in English at the University of Ottawa. Then in 1995, Brenda earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.) graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa Law School. In her class of 248 students, Brenda graduated 10th. In addition, Brenda won the Nelligan Power Award for mooting.

Court Admissions and Memberships: Brenda is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. She is admitted to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, all levels of Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition, Brenda is a member of The Advocates' Society, The County of Carleton Lawyers Association, The Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, and The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.

Legal Training and Experience: Brenda gained experience as a lawyer by working in the top Bay Street law firm Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, in both its Toronto and Ottawa offices, where she worked alongside Canada's elite litigation lawyers. Brenda also worked at a leading personal injury boutique in Toronto, Genest Murray, where she practiced both plaintiff and defence-side personal injury and class action law. Brenda ensures that her legal skills and knowledge remain current by attending many continuing legal education programs every year. She is also regularly published in well-respected legal journals and magazines.

Commitment to Legal Excellence: In addition, Brenda is a keen advocate who believes that all of her clients deserve a lawyer who is informed, prepared and committed to their case. Brenda's attention to detail and ability to strategize help her clients get favorable results in all areas of law. She is pleased to work with clients in the official language of their choice, French or English.

Community Service: Brenda is currently teaching trial advocacy to law students at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. In 2005, Brenda taught Advanced Civil Procedure to law clerks at Ottawa's Algonquin College. In addition, Brenda is an active member of the Children's Advocacy Project, which is an organization of Ontario lawyers who do pro bono work for children facing legal challenges in the education context. Also, Brenda represents needy clients without charge when the cases fall in her areas of particular interest.

Family: Brenda is married to her law partner, Richard Auger. They have two young sons and live in Ottawa.

Publications:

• Ontario Civil Practice 2008 and 2007, Watson & McGowan; Associate Editor, Current
• Columnist, FoundLocally.com; Employment Law issues, current
• "Actionable Assault, Bar Room Brawl and the Criminal Code"; The Litigator Magazine, November 2006 (co-authored with Richard Auger)
• "Beyond the Fees and the Funding"; The Litigator Magazine, September 2005
• "What is a Class Action Law Suit, Anyway?" Ottawa Business Journal, November 2004
• "Supreme Court Increases Security for Landlords"; Ottawa Business Journal, December 2004
• "Is Class Action Legislation Fulfilling its Promise?" Insurance Law, Federated Press, 2002
• "Supreme Court Clarifies Duty to Defend"; Insurance Law, Federated Press, 2001
• "Court of Appeal Defines when Tender Bid is Late", Nuts & Bolts (CBA-O Construction Law Section Newsletter); May 1999

Read about Richard Auger, an Ottawa lawyer