Kevin McGivney

Partner

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6118

Kevin advises clients on a wide range of liability, insurance, administrative and commercial matters.

Throughout his career, Kevin has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as lead trial and appellate counsel. This also extends to judicial reviews, administrative tribunals, mediations and arbitrations.

He has significant experience defending and advising municipalities, police and related entities concerning all manner of liability claims. He has also represented insurers and insureds in property and casualty insurance claims and on insurance coverage matters.

Kevin has represented municipalities, municipal councillors, police services and other clients in a number of administrative law matters including cases before the Human Rights Tribunal and at Coroner’s Inquests. He has also defended municipal and police agencies in class actions.

Kevin is an elected member of BLG’s Partnership Board, the firm's governing body. He is also the Regional Group Manager of BLG’s Toronto Insurance and Tort Liability Group.

Kevin provides legal services through a Law Corporation.

Experience

  • Successfully obtained anti-SLAPP dismissal of defamation claims against municipal councillors – Volpe v. Wong-Tam, 2022 ONSC 3106, upheld on appeal, 2023 ONCA 680
  • Successfully obtained trial judgement dismissing negligent investigation, malicious prosecution and breach of Charter claim against police service and investigating officers in matter involving wiretap authorizations – McCormack v. Evans, 2023 ONSC 4340
  • Successfully obtained trial judgement dismissing misfeasance in public office and conspiracy claim against municipality arising out of enforcement of municipal licensing and inspection activities – 1631651 Ontario Inc v. Toronto, 2022 ONSC 4197
  • Successful resolution of class action against police service arising out of claims connected to mass arrests during G 20 Summit – Good v. Toronto Police Services Board, 2020 ONSC 6332
  • Successfully obtained summary judgement dismissing negligent investigation and defamation claim against police chief and police service – Supreme Auto Group Inc. v. Chief William Blair, 2020 ONSC 1223
  • Successfully obtained trial judgement dismissing negligent investigation, false arrest and excessive use of force claims against police services and officers arising out of wiretap investigation – DuCarmur v. Cole 2016, ONSC 4930
  • Successfully upheld appeal of summary judgement obtained in negligent investigation claim against police service – Cochrane v. Kawartha Lakes Police Services Board, 2014 ONCA 860

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, The Advocates’ Society
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Civil Litigation Section

Community Involvement

  • Board member, Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Toronto 2009-2017 (President 2015-2016)

Awards & Recognitions

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in 2025 edition (and since 2013) of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation) and since 2022 edition (Municipal Law).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2016) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Litigation — Commercial Insurance, Personal Injury). Also recognized in 2012 for Personal Injury.
  • Recognized in the 2024, 2023 and 2018 editions of Benchmark Canada as a "Litigation Star" (Insurance; Municipal Law; Commercial).
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2021) of Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 1991
  • LLB, University of Western Ontario, 1989
  • BA in History, University of Western Ontario, 1985 (King's College)