Our Team

Lisa Armstrong | Toronto Insurance Lawyer

Lisa Armstrong

Partner

416.679.2781 x 210
larmstrong@sbalawyers.ca

Clerk: Heather Demeyre
416.679.2781 x 313
hdemeyre@sbalawyers.ca

Assistant: Kelly Lord
416.679.2781 x 213
klord@sbalawyers.ca

Lisa is like a combination of Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson. She practices law with unbridled enthusiasm and is rattled by nothing. As the managing partner of SBA, Lisa leads by example, proving to every team member, there’s no challenge too great to be overcome with a smile. Oh, and a laugh, Lisa has a signature laugh! 

Lisa is a skilled litigator and problem solver. Clients trust Lisa because she brings a level head and a sense of calm to every situation, no matter how high the stakes. Whether it’s a complex accident benefits claim, cyber dilemma, or insurance-related class action, Lisa helps her clients to “keep it simple” and execute an effective litigation strategy.

Lisa has argued some landmark accident benefits cases before the Court of Appeal. In particular, she has been on the front lines in defining the applicable limitation periods in accident benefits matters. She also successfully argued for limited court jurisdiction in dealing with accident benefits matters: see, Stegenga v. Economical, 2019 ONCA 615 (CanLII). Lisa regularly represents insurers in hotly contested “CAT” claims before the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

Lisa has a unique background in healthcare and professional services, which strengthens her ability to deal with personal injury cases as well as sensitive cyber security issues. Lisa has presented for clients and industry leaders on modern insurance issues, including cyber risks and cannabis. 

Lisa thrives in chaos. As the eldest of eight children from a blended family, Lisa knows a thing or two about leadership, diplomacy and teamwork. She manages the firm much like she did her siblings growing up: encouragement and gentle persuasion.

Primary Practice Areas
  • Accident Benefits
  • Bodily Injury
  • Privacy and Cyber Liability
Professional Achievements and Leadership
  • President, Ontario Insurance Professionals Association
  • Member, International Association of Defence Counsel
  • A Call to Action Canada-Diversity in the Legal Profession
  • Member, Ontario Insurance Adjusters Institute
  • Member, Defence Research Institute
  • Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers Association
Notable Matters
  • Yip v Economical LAT (2021)
  • Strickland v Economical LAT (2021)
  • Abadicio v Economical LAT- Reconsideration (2021)
  • Robertson v Echelon ONCA (2021)
  • Tomec v Economical, ONCA (2019)
  • Doon v Maharaj ONSC (2019)
  • Stegenga v Economical (2019), Court of Appeal
  • M.S. v. Economical (2018), Licence Appeal Tribunal-Reconsideration
  • S.S v. Economical (2018), Licence Appeal Tribunal-Reconsideration
  • Tomec v. Economical (2018), Divisional Court
  • M.S. v. Economical (2018) Licence Appeal Tribunal
  • S.S v. Economical (2018), Licence Appeal Tribunal
  • S.T. v. Economical (2018), Licence Appeal Tribunal-Reconsideration
  • Stegenga v Economical (2018), Superior Court
  • Pan v Allstate (2018), FSCO Arbitration
  • S.T v. Economical (2017), Licence Appeal Tribunal 
  • M.K. and Dumfires (2017), Licence Appeal Tribunal
  • Mayo v. Economical (2016), FSCO Arbitration
  • Karabas v. Economical (2015), Superior Court
  • Sietzema v. Economical (2014), Court of Appeal
  • Kusnierz v. Economical (2011), Court of Appeal
  • Lamsar v. Bajaj (2008), Superior Court
Thought Leadership

Publications

  • SPECT: Its Time Has Not Come, blog (December 3, 2021)
  • Push Back on Pre-Certification Production Requests, blog (August 19, 2019)
  • Court of Appeal Confirms LAT has Exclusive Jurisdiction at First Instance, blog (July 2019) 
  • Privacy Class Action Collapses in Absence of Commonality, blog (May 2019) 
  • Law Society of Ontario Exam Preparation Materials, Chapter 62, Editor (2019)
  • Surprise, Surprise, Surprise, blog (March 2019)
  • Insurance Coverage for Designated Driver Services, Lawyer’s Daily, Feb 28, 2019
  • Long Term Disability in Ontario, CanLii Newsletter, Editor/Contributor (ongoing)
  • The SABS limitation period is a hard limit (October 12, 2018), blog
  • Subsequent payment cannot revive right that has been extinguished (September 10, 2018), Lawyer’s Daily
  • Duty of good faith emphasized in decision (June 25, 2018), Law Times
  • Law Society of Upper Canada Exam Preparation Materials, Chapter 62, Editor (2018)
  • (Not so) Long Gone: Court of Appeal finds resigned employee entitled to LTD (May 7, 2018), blog
  • Choose Wisely: LTD Insurer entitled to WSIB offset despite tort election (May 4, 2018), blog
  • Unclaimed CPP deductible from IRB (February 2, 2018), blog
  • Law Society of Upper Canada Exam Preparation Materials, Chapter 62, Editor
  • Making CAT Denials Great Again, Co-author with Shalini Thomas
  • Court of Appeal finds 2015 PJI and Deductible Provision Apply Retroactively, blog
  • The LAT Upholds Limitation Period for Denied CAT Benefits, blog
  • Credibility is Vital, blog

Presentations

  • Cyber and Privacy for Dentists, Ottawa  June 14, 2019
  • Tricks of the Trade, Advocate’s Society, Accident Benefit and LAT Update (2019)
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Uninsured, Unidentified and Underinsured Claims, Osgoode Law School Certificate in Personal Injury Program (2013)
  • Spring Accident Benefit Symposium, Canadian Defence Lawyers, Co-Chair
  • CSME-Life Care Planner’s Annual Meeting- Case Law Update for Life Care Planners
  • Canadian Defence Lawyers AGM, Co-Chair
  • Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, Update on Snow Maintenance from the Court of Appeal
Professional Memberships
  • President, Ontario Insurance Professionals Association
  • Member, Canadian Association of Insurance Women
  • Member, Professional Liability Underwriters Society
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • A Call to Action Canada – Diversity in the Legal Profession
Bar Admissions & Education
  • Inclusive Leader Series – Certificate of Completion, 2018
  • Ontario Bar, 2003
  • LL.B., Osgoode Hall Law School, 2002