Edona Vila

Edona C. Vila

Partner

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6554

Edona is passionate about the intersection of innovation and the law. She specializes in complex commercial disputes and risk advisory services. She represents national and multi-national corporations, government authorities, and insurers in cross-border and domestic product liability, commercial, and insurance disputes across many different industries ranging from manufacturing and financial services to life sciences.

In her disputes practice, Edona has defended clients throughout all levels of court in Ontario and successfully driven claims to resolution in formal and informal alternative dispute resolution forums. Clients turn to Edona for sound guidance and timely advice. Her in-depth understanding of how business and technological innovations are transforming the status quo, allows her to better support her clients. 

Armed with an insight of where her clients came from and where they want to go, she assists clients to identify and mitigate against commercial, regulatory, insurance, and litigation risks to inform internal enterprise risk management.

Much of her practice is focussed on advising on the liability associated with artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, connected devices, Internet of Things, additive and advanced digital manufacturing products. As part of this work, Edona advises clients who either face cross-border litigation or require assistance with compliance matters in the context of Canadian operations.

Outside her law practice, Edona is committed to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She sits on the Board of the Toronto Lawyers Association.

 

Experience

  • Representing drug manufacturers related to pharmaceutical product litigation as a result of alleged adverse reactions.
  • Acting as litigation counsel for automobile manufacturers alleging product defects.
  • Representing medical device manufacturer in claims involving design manufacturing, and marketing defects.
  • Representing manufacturers in fire loss claims related to alleged product defects.
  • Acting as litigation counsel in the defence of professional negligence and breach of contract claims against engineers, architects, and other design professionals.
  • Acting as litigation counsel for public institutions, including municipalities, in relation to infrastructure and professional negligence disputes.
  • Defending insurers in litigation arising from denials of long term and short term disability benefits.
  • Representing insurers and insureds on subrogated and non-subrogated claims.

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Current Board Director, Toronto Lawyers Association (Education Committee)
  • Member, The Advocates' Society
  • Member, Canadian Defence Lawyers Association
  • Member, Defence Research Institute
  • Membership Officer - International Bar Association, Product Law and Advertising Committee
  • Officer, Product Law and Advertising Committee, International Bar Association
  • Board Member, AIoT Canada
  • Board Member, Urban Robotics Foundation

Community Involvement

  • Volunteer, BLG Reads to Kids
  • Pro Bono Duty Counsel, Law Help Ontario

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized by the 2024 Lexology Client Choice Award (Product Liability Defence)
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Litigation - Product Liability & Litigation - Commercial Insurance)

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 2014
  • Juris Doctor (Cum Laude), University of Ottawa, 2013
  • Master of Management of Innovation, University of Toronto, 2009
  • Post Baccalaureate, Faculty of Science and Engineering, York University, 2008
  • BSc (Honour Standing), Medical Radiation, University of Toronto, 2007