2026 SALA Conference: Advancing Standards in Sexual Abuse Litigation

A fourth-generation lawyer born and raised in Vancouver, John has dedicated his career to fighting for the legal rights of individuals and their families against corporations, governments, and insurance companies. After starting his career practicing labor and employment law, in 2005 John shifted to exclusively practicing plaintiff’s personal injury litigation including motor vehicle negligence, commercial host and occupier’s liability claims, medical, dental and other professional malpractice (naturopaths, chiropractors, etc.), and wrongful death family compensation claims. Since 2016 John’s practice has expanded to include wrongful denial of insurance coverage (life, disability, property, critical illness), product liability (dangerous/harmful goods and products), mass torts, and class action proceedings.

Advocacy is John’s greatest strength and privilege. He is dedicated to the craft of trial law. Known for providing exceptional, ethical service, John quarterbacks a legal support team that helps clients and their families navigate through some of the most upsetting and stressful periods of their lives. There is no substitute for good health and peace of mind – and there is no limit to the time, effort, and financial resources that John will devote to helping his clients heal as quickly as possible, obtain justice, and move forward with their lives. A joy of John’s job is getting to know his clients and their families. 

“I think what distinguishes our legal team is that we really, really care. We are relentless. RHE squares off against insurers, governments, and corporations every day, and sometimes fairness must be forced on them in the courtroom. So that is what we do. I am impatient with being told something is impossible and I believe in the reciprocal power of hope between lawyer and client. Most perceived impossibilities are actually just malnourished possibilities. Feed a tough case a steady diet of determination, strategy, resilience, hard work, humour, and hope, and that which can’t be done can be done.”

John’s injury law practice includes soft tissue injuries, chronic pain, psychological injury, and severe and catastrophic claims, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, neurological, orthopedic, and dental injuries. A significant component of John’s practice is devoted to negligent injury to children.

In 2018 John was the recipient of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC’s Champion of Justice a

Since being called to the bar in 2017, Mallory has almost exclusively acted on behalf of plaintiffs.  Mallory has a keen interest in righting systemic wrongs and holding institutions accountable for their actions.  For example, Mallory was part of the team that negotiated a first-of-its-kind settlement in Canada to recover health care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.  Mallory is an experienced trial lawyer and has worked in the areas of plaintiff-side class actions, aviation accidents, medical malpractice, and other complex tort claims and appeals.  For the last several years, Mallory dedicated her practice to advancing claims on behalf of survivors of sexual violence.  In 2024, Mallory was trial counsel for the plaintiff in H.N. v. School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria), 2024 BCSC 128, in which the court granted $2.3 million dollars to the plaintiff for injuries arising from childhood sexual abuse.  At the time, this was the largest compensatory damages award ever given in Canada for sexual abuse.

Mallory joined Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP in November 2025 to continue fighting on behalf of vulnerable plaintiff litigants. 

Of significance, Mallory herself was injured as a child by a physician’s negligence, resulting in countless surgeries during her childhood and adolescence and litigation spanning several years.  Through this experience, Mallory gained the capacity to identify and empathize with her clients on a personal level.  She is ambitious, authentic, and resilient.

Cynthia moved her wrongful death and personal injury practice from the partnership of a large, national law firm in 2021, attracted by the reputation and strength of Weir Bowen’s medical negligence group. Surrounded by a team of bold litigators, and knowledgeable support staff, Cynthia has also extended her practice to historical sexual assault claims, as a member of the national Sexual Abuse Lawyers Alliance. 

No matter what the cause of harm, Cynthia brings a respectful and trauma-informed approach to her work. She combines experience and empathy when guiding clients through the legal maze, recognizing the deeply personal nature of losses arising from motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, unsafe premises, defective products, and even negligent schools, churches, or clubs. 

As a former broadcast journalist, Cynthia leans heavily on well honed investigative and presentation skills to advocate for clients with confidence and clarity. She developed the nationally accredited Legal Media Relations program for the Canadian Bar Association, and appears as a guest each month on the “Ask The Lawyer,” broadcast across Alberta on the Windspeaker Radio Network. 

Cynthia grew up in a small Central Alberta town, and has never forgotten her roots. She is a firm believer in the power of plain language and straight talk to make even the most complex legal principles understandable to all of her clients. She ensures her clients understand what is happening, and are well-prepared for each step of the process, from initial consultation to claim resolution. 

Cynthia has been consistently named to the Best Lawyers in Canada for Personal Injury Litigation since 2021. Outside of law, Cynthia is the proud mother of two children, and two ridiculously spoiled doodle dogs.

Morgyn Chandler has been the Managing Partner of Hammerco Lawyers LLP since 2020. Hammerco is a boutique litigation firm in British Columbia with offices in Vancouver, Courtenay and Duncan. 

Morgyn leads Hammerco’s civil sexual assault practice group and works exclusively for survivors.  She has a reputation for successful resolution based on persuasive and astute legal strategies. 

Morgyn maintains a trauma-informed practice and is a powerful advocate for her clients against both individual and institutional defendants while prioritizing the needs and interests of survivors.  She has successfully represented clients in claims against professionals including lawyers and doctors, as well as religious institutions, Scouts Canada, and government institutions among others. Morgyn believes that survivors deserve to be heard, and respected, and deserve the opportunity to hold perpetrators accountable. 

Morgyn was recognized by her peers for her work in Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers in Canada from 2020 through 2023 and in 2024 was named as a Lexpert Ranked Lawyer for Personal Injury. She is a sought after speaker and presenter in the field of sexual assault litigation and regularly presents with the Trial Lawyers Association of BC and Continuing Legal Education BC, and is frequently asked to comment in the media on sexual assault cases in Canada. 

Sadira is very knowledgeable in her focal practice areas of personal injury, sexual abuse and assault claims, medical malpractice, and disability insurance litigation. In acting for her clients, Sadira strives to approach each file in a trauma-informed and client-focused manner and aims to work with her clients, empowering them as they navigate through the civil claims systems in order to achieve their best possible outcomes.

Sadira also works with Tapper Cuddy’s workplace investigation unit, assisting organizations of all sizes in conducting investigations relating to complaints of harassment and other breaches of respectful workplace policies.  In conducting such investigations, Sadira works to engage an impartial and balanced approach where the principles of human rights and procedural fairness are of the utmost importance.

After obtaining her Bachelors and Masters degrees at the University of Winnipeg and Wilfrid Laurier University respectively, Sadira attended the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, obtaining her Juris Doctorate in 2013.  Sadira then completed her articles with Tapper Cuddy LLP and has remained with the firm since her call to the Bar in 2014.

Sadira is actively engaged with the Manitoba Bar Association, having served as the chairs of both the Young Lawyers section and the Women Lawyers Forum, and currently sits on the MBA council.

Sadira is an associate member of the Birth Injury Lawyers’ Alliance and is currently engaged in the formation of a national alliance of lawyers who act for survivors of sexual abuse as a means of sharing resources and information and engaging in advocacy.

Kevin McLaren has practiced as a civil litigator for over 18 years. He has helped hundreds of clients settle personal injury claims, both simple and complex. He is an experienced trial lawyer and heads the firm’s Class Action practice. Kevin is a partner at the firm and joined Hammerco in 2013.

Kevin advocates for effective and efficient results for his clients. He represents individuals and business owners, never insurance companies. He accepts cases for clients and causes he believes in.

Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University (2003) and her law degree from Queen’s University (2007).  She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2008.

Erin has over a decade of experience and a proven track record of success advocating for survivors of both recent and historical sexual and physical abuse. She represents plaintiffs from across Canada, demanding acknowledgment and compensation for the harms perpetrated or facilitated by individuals and institutions, including abuse by teachers, coaches, relatives, foster parents, doctors, and clergy.  Erin has a deep understanding of civil abuse litigation.  Her extensive experience allows her to work effectively with her clients to determine the best approach for each individual case. Erin is passionate about representing survivors and uses compassion, dedication, and strong advocacy skills to assist her clients.

Linda joined the Gluckstein family from a boutique litigation firm where she focused exclusively on civil litigation, defending tort litigants. She is now a key member of our Sexual Abuse group with the Jellinek Ellis Gluckstein team advocating solely for survivors of sexual abuse.

Over her almost 30 years of practice, Linda has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, along with appearances before numerous boards and at private arbitrations. She has been a speaker at many legal events and seminars.

She is a graduate of the University of Guelph (Honours B.A. 1991) and the University of Windsor (LL.B. 1994). She was called to the bar in 1996.

Linda is proud to be involved in initiatives to promote policies and practices to retain and advance women in law and to continue to serve as a mentor for many students and lawyers.

In an effort to continuously give back to the communities she serves, Linda sits on the Board of The Gatehouse and SACHA, two organizations committed to supporting survivors.

John dedicates his practice exclusively to representing persons who have suffered an injury or loss as a result of medical malpractice, car and truck accidents (or other serious personal injury claims), and institutional liability. He has a special interest in representing survivors in civil claims for childhood sexual abuse compensation claims.

John is particularly proud of the fact that he and the team at McKiggan Hebert have repeatedly been named  one of the  by Canadian Lawyer magazine. McKiggan Hebert was the only firm in Atlantic Canada to receive this prestigious recognition.

John’s colleagues have honoured his efforts and experience by electing him President of the .

John has been appointed King’s Counsel (K.C.), a designation used to recognize Canadian lawyers for exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession.

John was nominated for an award for exemplary journalism covering issues related to the sexual exploitation of children by Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada, a national non-profit organization that advances the rights of children to be free from sexual exploitation, for his article published in The Lawyer Weekly: The Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse: Is the Church’s response real action or window dressing?

John has regularly been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyer in Canada® in the field of Personal Injury Law. In 2022, he was named  in the field of personal injury litigation. Best Lawyer has been called “the most respected referral list of attorney in practice.”