Kathryn Manning

Kathryn is a seasoned litigator and arbitrator with broad expertise in all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly complex, multi-party matters.  Her experience includes shareholder disputes, product liability litigation, complex contract disputes, civil fraud proceedings, employment litigation, professional negligence, and class actions.

Kathryn represents individuals and organizations both in the Ontario courts and in commercial arbitration proceedings. She provides her clients with practical, strategic advice at every stage of a dispute, all with a view to maximizing their business goals and achieving cost efficiencies.  Kathryn leverages technology in all her files, including at examinations and hearings, to ensure that matters are more efficient. She has conducted hearings and examinations both virtually and by utilizing electronic data during in person attendances.

In addition to her trial and arbitration experience, Kathryn has expertise in complex motion and appellate advocacy. Her experience also includes obtaining, executing and enforcing Anton Piller and Mareva injunctions to preserve assets at the outset of litigation.

Kathryn successfully completed the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society’s Gold Standard Course in Commercial Arbitration. She holds the Q. Arb. designation from the ADR Institute of Canada. She is a member of TCAS, ADRIC, ADRIO, and Arbitral Women.

Kathryn brings a unique perspective to her litigation practice that blends deep experience in commercial litigation with expertise in eDiscovery, honed over nearly two decades working in both large and boutique law firms. She practiced for more than 15 years in the Litigation Departments of two of Canada’s largest national law firms. Prior to founding DMG Advocates, Kathryn ran her own litigation boutique after spending two years as Senior Legal Counsel at Canada’s pre-eminent e-Discovery and Information Governance boutique law firm where she advised clients on efficient and defensible ways to manage and protect their data, privacy law, and eDiscovery law, and best practices.

Kathryn uses her expertise in discovery planning and eDiscovery to efficiently manage and resolve her clients’ business disputes while keeping their litigation costs under control. Kathryn’s practice also includes advising clients on how to effectively manage their information and on the preparation and implementation of litigation readiness policies and procedures so that when litigation or a cybersecurity breach hits, her clients are ready. Kathryn has also provided expert evidence on discovery planning and eDiscovery principles in the Superior Court of Justice.

Kathryn is an active participant in bench and bar organizations that provide information, education and resources in the areas of Civil Procedure and eDiscovery.  She is a member of the Ontario Civil Rules Committee and sits on the Superior Court of Justice’s Civil Working Group. Kathryn is the 1st Vice-President of the Ontario Bar Association. She sits on the Policy Committee of the Canadian Bar Association. Kathryn is also the Chair of Sedona Canada, which is Working Group 7 of The Sedona Conference. She is a longstanding member of the Ontario Digital Evidence and eDiscovery Working Group, which she chaired from 2014-2018.