Cynthia's goal is to provide you with sincere and cost-effective legal assistance. She believes in working collaboratively to address your interests and find creative solutions to even the most complex matters.

Cynthia holds an undergraduate degree in human biology and a Masters degree in neuroscience and uses this experience to decipher medical reports and apply her knowledge to matters involving personal injury. Her primarily practice is in insurance defence litigation but she also represents clients in matters relating to personal injury, property damage, and criminal and professional malpractice matters.

Education:

• J.D., University of Ottawa (Cum Laude)
• MSc. Neuroscience, University of Toronto
• Honours BSc. Human Biology, University of Toronto (with High Distinction)

Professional Associations, Affiliations and Community Activities:

• Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers
• Member, Canadian Bar Association
• Member, Advocates Society
• Member, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
• Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• Former Executive Board Member, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
• Former Executive Board Member, Ontario Bar Association, Women Lawyers Forum
• Former Organization Member, Law Society of Upper Canada, Equity Advisory Group
• Former Civil Litigation Tutor, Law Society of Ontario

Cynthia has taken on multi-party commercial litigation cases, where she has represented general contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, and engineers related to negligent construction, leaky condo construction, and welding claims.

Miyafuji v. Greyhound et al.
A student visiting Canada from Japan was a passenger on a Greyhound bus, when a fellow passenger stabbed him with a small pocketknife. Although the plaintiff sustained minor injuries, he brought a claim for over $1 million in damages against Greyhound, the Ontario government and the regional Police Services. Cynthia successfully won a Security for Costs motion against the plaintiff.

Siena-Foods Limited v. Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada
Cynthia helped to represent the Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada ("Old Republic of Canada") in a question of law motion, which asked the court to determine whether coverage to cargo was covered under the applicable truck rental agreement. Old Republic of Canada won at the lower court level, which concluded that, as stipulated in the rental agreement, there was no coverage for cargo. This matter was appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, which ultimately reversed the lower court’s decision.

Gomez v. First Student Canada ULC et al.
An accident occurred between a motor vehicle and a school bus. At issue was whether both the plaintiff and the school bus driver were in the course of employment when the accident took place. If so, the plaintiff would be covered by benefits set out in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, and could therefore not bring a tort action against First Student Canada. Cynthia successfully won this application before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, and the plaintiff was precluded from bringing a tort claim against the defendants.

Criminal Law
Cynthia represented a school bus driver who was attacked by a driver with road rage. The school bus driver was charged under the Criminal Code for possession of a dangerous weapon. Through numerous appearances in front of the Ontario Court of Justice, Cynthia was successful in getting the charge completely withdrawn.

Other Relevant Experience:

• Appeared before Alberta and Ontario courts for all procedural matters, such as compelling production of documents.
• Represented clients in defending product liability cases.
• Represented clients in defending fire and water property loss cases.
• Represented clients in defending negligent repair cases.
• Represented clients in professional liability cases.
• Represented clients in errors and omissions cases.
• Represented clients defending motor vehicle accidents and slip/trip and fall incidents.
• Represented a client in an agricultural matter involving the spraying of pesticides and how the spray allegedly had negative effects on wildlife.
• Represented security officers and security companies in false arrest and wrongful detainment matters.
• Represented security monitoring companies related to property damage/break-and-enter cases.
• Participated in numerous mediations (Alternative Dispute Resolution), to help achieve favourable settlements for clients.

• "Duty to Defend", Client Lunch and Learn, 2018
• "Litigation in Alberta and Summary of Damages Cases", Client Lunch and Learn, 2017
• "The End of Personal Auto Insurance: Driverless Cars and Ridesharing", Insurance Trends & Updates Seminar, McLennan Ross, 2016
• "Legal Implications of Driverless Cars and Ridesharing", ARC Group Annual Seminar, 2016

• "Drones - A New Frontier of Privacy and Liability is Taking Flight", Jennifer Davis and Cynthia Aoki, McLennan Ross Legal Counsel Newsletter, 2016