Ottawa Lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth: Profile

Brenda Hollingsworth is a personal injury 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.

Practice Areas: Brenda’s personal injury practice helps Ontario 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.

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

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 past 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.

Awards:  The Women's Business Network awarded Brenda the Businesswoman of the Year - Professional, for 2009. Brenda was a recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal’s 40 under 40 award in 2008. In 2006, Auger Hollingsworth was the Bronze winner of the New Business of the Year Award from the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.

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: 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 2007-2010, Watson & McGowan; Associate Editor, Current
• "Crash Course: A Savvy Woman's Guide to Ontario Accident Claims"
• "Injured Victims' Guide to Fair Compensation"
• "Threshold Update" Paper delivered at the Spring Conference of the Ontario Trial Lawyer's Association
• "Of Flies and Forseeability: Damages for Nervous Shock", Paper delivered at the Eastern Ontario Civil Litigation Conference, November 2007 
• 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

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