OUR APPROACH
Specialist municipal defence expertise protecting Ontario's communities.
Comprehensive defence expertise protecting municipalities and government agencies across Ontario. Our team brings deep knowledge of municipal law and civil litigation to deliver strategic, cost-effective defence for our public-sector clients.
WHAT WE DO
Areas of Practice
Municipal Liability Claims
Defending municipalities against a broad range of civil claims arising from the exercise of statutory powers and the maintenance of public infrastructure.
Roads & Infrastructure
Representing municipalities in claims arising from road conditions, sidewalks, bridges, and public works under the Municipal Act standard of repair.
Public Officers Defence
Protecting municipalities and their officers in claims alleging wrongful exercise of statutory authority, bylaw enforcement, and official decisions.
Bylaw & Planning Disputes
Advising on and defending challenges to zoning decisions, bylaw enforcement, and municipal planning matters before courts and tribunals.
Government Agency Claims
Comprehensive defence services for government agencies and regional authorities facing civil claims and applications for judicial review.
YOUR MUNICIPAL DEFENCE COUNSEL
William G. Woodward
MUNICIPAL DEFENCE
William G. Woodward is Dyer Brown’s leading specialist in municipal defence. With extensive experience defending municipalities against a wide range of civil claims — from road conditions and slip and falls to public officer liability and bylaw disputes — William delivers strategic, cost-effective defence for municipal clients across Ontario.
OUR LEGACY
For over 125 years, Dyer Brown has represented clients throughout Southwestern Ontario.
CLIENT GUIDANCE
Common Questions
What types of claims do municipalities commonly face?
Municipalities regularly face claims arising from road conditions, slip and falls on municipal property, construction and infrastructure failures, and actions by municipal employees or officers. These claims require specialized expertise in both municipal law and civil litigation.
What standard of care applies to municipalities in Ontario?
Under the Municipal Act, municipalities must maintain their roads and public spaces in a reasonable state of repair. However, the standard is not perfection — municipalities are not insurers. Our team helps establish appropriate defences based on the specific facts of each claim.
How does Dyer Brown help municipalities manage litigation costs?
We work proactively with municipal clients to identify and address potential liability issues early, reducing the frequency and severity of claims. For active litigation, we provide efficient case management and leverage our experience to achieve timely, cost-effective resolutions.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are here to help.
Speak with one of our municipal defence lawyers today. Call 519.673.1100 or send us a message.