Full Name
Loretta Merritt
Speaker Bio
Loretta Merritt has been with Torkin Manes LLP since she graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1987 and she obtained a Master’s Degree in Constitutional Law from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1990. Loretta has more than 35 years’ experience using a trauma-informed approach in civil sexual assault cases. She understands and cares about abuse survivors, recognizing that coming forward, being heard and acknowledged as well as gaining a sense of justice and closure, in addition to the amount of a settlement, are what matter to her clients.
Loretta has extensive trial (both jury and non-jury) and appellate experience as well as administrative law experience. Together with Sabrina Lombardi of McKenzie Lake in London, Loretta co-counseled the Grenville Christian Collage Case which is the first-ever common issues trial in Canada in a class action for historical abuse.
Loretta has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada© since 2013 for Personal Injury Litigation. She has been recognized by her peers in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory since 2015 as a leading lawyer in personal injury litigation.
Loretta is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. The Litigation Counsel of America is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. Fellows are selected after being evaluated on effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and trial work, along with ethical reputation. In 2013, Loretta was selected as a recipient of the Litigation Counsel of America’s inaugural Peter Perlman Service Award. The award recognizes LCA Fellows who have contributed in meaningful ways to society by giving their time and resources in an effort to improve the lives of others.
She has Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible Peer Review Rating: General Ethical Standards Rating V (very high), and Legal Abilities Rating A (very high to pre-eminent). Loretta is also in the Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ - exclusively for women lawyers who have received the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards from their peers.
Loretta has been a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association since 1995 and also sits as an OTLA Board member. She is the recipient of OTLA’s 2018 John A. McLeish Award.
In 2012, Loretta was presented with the Diamond Jubilee Medal, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne, in recognition of her contributions to Canada in representing abuse survivors.
Loretta has extensive trial (both jury and non-jury) and appellate experience as well as administrative law experience. Together with Sabrina Lombardi of McKenzie Lake in London, Loretta co-counseled the Grenville Christian Collage Case which is the first-ever common issues trial in Canada in a class action for historical abuse.
Loretta has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada© since 2013 for Personal Injury Litigation. She has been recognized by her peers in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory since 2015 as a leading lawyer in personal injury litigation.
Loretta is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. The Litigation Counsel of America is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. Fellows are selected after being evaluated on effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and trial work, along with ethical reputation. In 2013, Loretta was selected as a recipient of the Litigation Counsel of America’s inaugural Peter Perlman Service Award. The award recognizes LCA Fellows who have contributed in meaningful ways to society by giving their time and resources in an effort to improve the lives of others.
She has Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible Peer Review Rating: General Ethical Standards Rating V (very high), and Legal Abilities Rating A (very high to pre-eminent). Loretta is also in the Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ - exclusively for women lawyers who have received the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards from their peers.
Loretta has been a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association since 1995 and also sits as an OTLA Board member. She is the recipient of OTLA’s 2018 John A. McLeish Award.
In 2012, Loretta was presented with the Diamond Jubilee Medal, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne, in recognition of her contributions to Canada in representing abuse survivors.
Speaking At
