He will begin leading the firm as managing partner next year, succeeding Stephen D’Agostino
Stephen Birman has been named Thomson Rogers LLP’s managing partner-designate in preparation for his transition to the role of managing partner next year.
Birman will succeed Stephen D’Agostino after a comprehensive leadership transition process. According to Thomson Rogers, Birman’s election to the role was widely supported by the partners.
“I am honoured by the confidence my partners have placed in me. Thomson Rogers has a long history of client advocacy and excellence, and I look forward to building on that tradition while supporting the continued growth of the firm and the next generation of lawyers,” Birman said in a statement.
Birman commenced with Thomson Rogers in 2009 as an associate, concentrating on personal injury litigation, long-term disability, and class action litigation. He has litigated major, precedent-setting claims at all levels of court in Ontario.
He has handled claims made against insurance companies. In 2017, he was the first Ontario-based lawyer to secure a maximum special award for his client at the License Appeals Tribunal. He spearheaded the team on Baker v. Blue Cross, obtaining a $1.5 million punitive damages award that was the biggest of its kind against a disability insurer in Canada; the judgment was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2023.
Early in his career, the Lexpert-ranked lawyer worked with residential school survivors and assisted survivors in progressing their compensation claims under what Thomson Rogers said was the biggest class action settlement in Canada. He helped a client to a win in Ontario Superior Court in a matter involving long-term disability benefits that went to a five-week jury trial.
Birman is presently helping to pursue claims involving alleged nursing home negligence and business interruption losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and claims involving a international recall of CPAP medical devices. He is a certified litigation specialist under the Law Society of Ontario.
“Stephen is a respected advocate and a thoughtful leader who understands both our clients and our culture. He will lead the firm with integrity, sound judgment and a clear commitment to excellence,” D’Agostino said in a statement.
D’Agostino led the firm for more than seven years. He will continue to serve as managing partner until Birman takes over.
