We are a group of fierce advocates.

Jim Orr began his legal career as an articling student and lawyer at Stikeman Elliott in the litigation department headed by John Sopinka until his appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada. Jim then joined Fasken & Calvin where he had the good fortune to work with many of the country’s top commercial litigators. In 1992, along with seven other Fasken partners, he started Kelly Affleck Greene, one of Canada’s first commercial litigation boutiques.

For the past fifteen years, Jim’s practice has focused on class actions. He founded Kim Orr (now Kim Spencer McPhee), a plaintiff’s class action firm. While most of his work has been on the plaintiff’s side, Jim has been retained by large Canadian and international corporations to defend both competition and securities class actions. He also maintains a commercial law practice for select clients.

Legal Education

Dalhousie Law School (LL.B., 1981)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

Kyle Taylor is a founder and managing partner of Orr Taylor. He started the firm to provide exceptional representation for both plaintiffs and defendants in complex business litigation and class actions. Kyle is a uniquely experienced and dynamic litigator, having successfully represented businesses and class members alike in class actions, business litigation, antitrust and competition matters, and international disputes in both Canada and the United States.

Kyle is currently lead or co-lead counsel in an alleged $12 billion class action involving Amazon’s pricing practices, $10 billion class action involving price fixing of Bread, $2.75 billion class action involving antitrust violations in the market for Generic Drugs, $1 billion class action involving antitrust violations in the market for DRAM, and $250 million class action involving price fixing of Canned Tuna. In addition to his work for the plaintiff class, Kyle represents businesses involved in class actions and commercial litigation. For example, his recent matters for businesses include representing an international technology company as a defendant in a proposed class action alleging price fixing of Resistors, representing one of the world’s largest retailers in a nation-wide challenge to Canada’s class action settlement and opt-out regime, and representing a Canadian technology company in a significant theft of trade secrets litigation. Kyle’s clients include businesses located in Canada, the United States, and overseas.

Kyle was previously a lawyer in the New York office of the leading global litigation firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. At Quinn Emanuel, Kyle represented the plaintiffs in antitrust litigation against the major U.S. freight railroads alleging price fixing of fuel surcharges, as well as in class actions against large banks for alleged price fixing of financial products. He also represented the bankruptcy trustee for a former financial services institution in pre-trial and trial litigation against a major accounting firm. Kyle also successfully defended businesses involved in high-stakes litigation, including a leading healthcare data company against monopolization claims, a major toy company against monopolization claims, a major Italian bank against fraud claims, and a European investor against insider trading claims.

Before entering private practice, Kyle served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph L. Tauro, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  Kyle maintains his bar admissions in Ontario and New York.

Education

Cornell Law School (J.D., 2008)

University of Michigan (A.B., History and Philosophy, with Distinction, 2004)

Prior Affiliations

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP (Partner, 2019-2020; Associate, 2016-2018)

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP (Associate, 2009-2016)

The Honorable Joseph L. Tauro, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Law Clerk, 2008-2009)

Admissions

The State Bar of New York

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Law Society of Ontario

Professional Activities

Member, American Bar Association

Member, The Advocates’ Society

Chair, Competition Litigation Committee, CBA Competition Law and Foreign Investment Review Section

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Ontario Bar Association

Alexandra is a creative and tenacious advocate. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex, high-stakes class actions involving competition, securities, and consumer protection matters.

Alexandra has appeared as counsel on dispositive motions, at trial, and on appeal before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Commercial List, and Court of Appeal for Ontario.

Prior to joining Orr Taylor, Alexandra began her legal career as a summer and articling student at Stikeman Elliott. Following her articles, Alexandra clerked for Justice Brown and former Associate Chief Justice Hoy of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She then practiced commercial litigation at a leading litigation boutique, with a focus on complex commercial, shareholder, and securities disputes.

Alexandra received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, where she earned prizes in her class actions, business law, commercial law, securities, tax, and legal ethics courses.

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School (J.D., 2017)

University of Toronto (Honours B.A., History and Philosophy, with High Distinction, 2014)

Prior Affiliations

Chernos Flaherty Svonkin LLP (Associate, 2019-2023)

Court of Appeal for Ontario (Law Clerk, 2018-2019)

Stikeman Elliott LLP (Summer and Articling Student, 2016-2018)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Professional Activities

Member, The Advocates’ Society

Donald B. Houston is widely recognized as one of Canada's leading practitioners in competition law and litigation, with over 30 years' experience representing clients on a variety of matters. 

Most recently, Don served as senior counsel and Special Legal Adviser to the Canadian Commissioner of Competition from January 2023 to January 2026. 

Don's practice has included cartel investigations and prosecutions, mergers, civil cases before the Competition Tribunal and private actions (including class actions) in the Courts. He has frequently represented the Commissioner of Competition in the Competition Tribunal and before the Courts. 

Don has been recognized in several publications for his high level of expertise. These include the World's Leading Competition Lawyers, Chambers Global Guide to the World's Leading Lawyers, Best Lawyers in Canada, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. He was named Canadian Competition Lawyer of the Year for 2019 by Best Lawyers in Canada. 

Don is a past Chair of the National Competition Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. 

Don was an adjunct professor at the Western University Law School and has written and lectured extensively. His publications include The Trial of an Action (2d) with the late Justice John Sopinka and Melanie Sopinka; “Competition Law” in Intellectual Property Disputes: Resolutions and Remedies, with Jeanne Pratt and Jonathan Bitran; and Jurisdictional Issues in International Cartel Cases: A Canadian Perspective, with Jeanne Pratt.

Education

University of Manitoba (LL.B., 1979)

University of Manitoba (B.A., 1975)

Prior Affiliations

Competition Bureau Legal Services (Senior Legal Counsel and Legal Advisor to the Commissioner of Competition, 2023-2026)

Western University Faculty of Law (Adjunct Professor, Competition Law, 2015-2019)

McCarthy Tétrault LLP (Partner and Senior Counsel, 2006-2022)

Dentons LLP (formerly Fraser Milner Casgrain, Partner, 2003-2006)

Kelly Affleck Greene LLP (Partner, 1998-2003)

Stikeman Elliott LLP (Partner, Associate, and Student, 1981-1998)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Professional Activities

Former Chair, National Competition Law Section

Representative Litigation Matters

Cheung v. NHK – defence of competition class action in BC alleging collusion among producers of HDD suspension assemblies (2022)

Mancinelli – defence of competition class actions in Ontario and Quebec alleging collusion among financial institutions in foreign exchange transactions (2022)

Quenneville – defence of competition class actions in Ontario, Quebec and BC alleging collusion among luxury car makers (2022)

Cygnus – defence of class actions alleging price-fixing of capacitors (2022)

Lilleyman – defence of competition class actions alleging price-fixing of canned tuna products (2022)

Commissioner v. Direct Energy– defence of deceptive marketing claims (2015) 

Commissioner v. Bell Canada– defence of deceptive marketing claims (2016)

Audatex v. CarProof– private application to Competition Tribunal (2015)

Stargrove v. Universal Music– private application to Competition Tribunal (2015)

Hickory Springs – defence of class actions and Bureau investigation alleging price-fixing of foam products (2015)

Cadbury Adams – class actions and Bureau investigation alleging price-fixing of chocolate products (2015)

Commissioner v. Agricore United – merger litigation (2006)

Vitapharm v. Hoffman-La Roche – competition class action alleging price-fixing of vitamins (2005)

Commissioner v. Canadian Waste Services – merger litigation (2004)

Commissioner v. Air Canada – abuse of dominance, predation (2003)

Boehringer Ingelheim v. Bristol-Myers – private action, predation (1999)

CCRP v. QSP – competition litigation (1999) 

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Canada – competition litigation, regulated conduct defence (1996)

ICN Pharmaceuticals v. Canada – jurisdiction of Patented Medicines Price Review Board (1996)

Director v. D&B Companies – abuse of dominance litigation (1996) 

Director v. Southam Inc. – merger litigation (1995)

Director v. Air Canada (“Gemini”)– merger litigation, variation order (1993)

Pindling v. National Broadcasting Co. – defamation (1984)

VK Mason v. Bank of Nova Scotia – commercial litigation (SCC 1985)

Spencer v. The Queen – bank secrecy matters (SCC 1985)

Representative Merger Matters

Centrica sale of Direct Energy to US-based NRG Energy Inc. (2021) 

Holcimacquisition of Lafarge (2015)

Desjardins acquisition of State Farm P&C Insurance Business (2015)

Agirumacquisition of Viterra (2015)

BCE acquisition of CTV (2011)

Leon’sacquisition of the Brick (2013) 

Maple Group acquisition of the TSE (2012)

Suncormerger withPetro-Canada (2009)

Cargill Limited acquisition of the Better Beef Group (2005 – merger)

Selected Publications

The Trial of an Action (2nd ed.), with the late Honourable Justice John Sopinka and Melanie Sopinka, 1998 

Competition Law – Chapter in Intellectual Property Disputes (Carswell) with J. Pratt and J. Bitran (ongoing) 

Litigating Competition Law in Canada (Iatrou) (2nd ed.) – contributing author, 2023

The Marginalization of the Competition Tribunal, with J. Pratt, CBA, 2005

The Role of Intent in Abuse of Dominance Cases in Canada, with J. Pratt, Insight, 2006 

Jurisdictional Issues in International Cartel Cases: A Canadian Perspective, Irwin Law, 2006

Canadian Predation Laws and Their Application to the Airline Industry, with J. Pratt, ABA, 2004 

Price Maintenance, Price Discrimination and Predatory Pricing: Overview and Practical Issues, with P. Sirkis, Osgoode Hall, 2004 

Expert Reports: Practice and Procedure in Commercial Litigation & Forensic Accounting, with J. Pratt, Butterworths, 2003 

Anti-Trust Class Actions: A Canadian Growth Business, American Lawyer Media, 2002

Private Remedies for Anti-Competition Conduct, with R. Bell and S. Bhattacharjee, CBA, 1998

Diana Amaral manages the operations of Orr Taylor. Diana has worked as a law clerk and legal assistant since 2003. She has assisted her lawyers at all stages of litigation and has experience filing materials with all levels of courts from the trial-level courts to the Supreme Court of Canada, and courts across Ontario and in several other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Education

Centennial College (Diploma, 2003)

Prior Affiliations

Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP (Law Clerk and Legal Assistant, 2003-2020)

Professional Activities

Member, Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario

Volunteer, Lawyers Feed the Hungry

Jonathan Careen is an associate with Orr Taylor. His practice is focused on class actions, especially price-fixing conspiracies. His experience includes a variety of shareholder disputes and securities matters.

Jonathan received his law degree from the University of British Columbia, where he was awarded the Dean’s J.D. Entrance Scholarship. During his studies, Jonathan volunteered with the Law Students’ Legal Advice Program in East Vancouver, and worked at the Liu Institute for Global Issues where he researched natural resources and violent conflicts in developing countries.

Jonathan has a keen interest in emerging markets and technologies, particularly cryptocurrency.

Education

University of British Columbia (J.D., 2017)

University of British Columbia (B.A., Philosophy, 2014)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Alexandra Da Dalt is an associate with Orr Taylor. Before joining the firm, she clerked at the Federal Court of Canada with the Associate Judges (formerly Prothonotaries) of the Court.

Alexandra received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, where she was involved in the Osgoode Hall Law Journal as an Associate and Senior Editor and served as the Managing Editor in her final year. She was a Dean's Fellow for Public and Constitutional Law and was a student in Osgoode's mediation and feminist advocacy clinics. During her studies, Alexandra worked with Aboriginal Legal Services’ Giiwedin Anang Council, the Barbra Schlifer Clinic, and was a Fellow of the Ontario Justice Education Network. She was the 2021 winner of the Canadian Bar Association’s Writing Them In essay contest and was the recipient of the 2023 Aird & Berlis LLP and Women’s Law Association of Ontario Equality Award.

Before law school, Alexandra had a career in education and nonprofit communications that sparked her interest in the law and excellence in advocacy.  

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School (J.D., 2023)

Columbia University (M.A., Peace & Human Rights Education, 2015)

New York University (B.A. with Honours, Social & Cultural Analysis, 2013)

Prior Affiliations

Federal Court of Canada (Law Clerk, 2023-2024)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Chloé Gay-Guérin is an associate with Orr Taylor. Before joining the firm, she worked as counsel and completed her articles at the Competition Bureau, where she supported investigations and litigation involving mergers, monopolistic practices, and deceptive marketing. She also gained experience at Corporations Canada as a Compliance Officer, assessing corporate adherence to federal legislation and contributing to the development of programs and policies. 

Chloé earned her Juris Doctor (National Program) with distinction (cum laude) from the University of Ottawa, where she was named to the Dean’s Honour List and received multiple merit-based scholarships. She also holds a Licentiate in Law (LL.L.). 

During her studies, she participated in the TradeLab (International Economic Law Clinic) and volunteered with the Ottawa Pro Bono Employment Law Clinic. 

Education

University of Ottawa (J.D., National Program, 2024)

University of Ottawa (LL.L., 2023)

Prior Affiliations

Competition Bureau (Articling Student and Counsel, 2024-2025)

Admissions 

Law Society of Ontario

Professional Activities

Member, The Advocates’ Society

Dylan is an associate with Orr Taylor. Before joining the firm, he articled and practiced with a plaintiff-side class action boutique, specializing in competition and consumer protection litigation.

Dylan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa. He is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s law school. During his studies, Dylan earned the honour of ‘Distinction’ on his first year moot. In his upper years, he went on to win the 2022 Warren Winkler Class Action Moot. Dylan and his partner won best defendant factum, and he individually earned the Joan L. Lax Memorial Award for Top Oralist.  

Dylan has previously volunteered with Windsor’s Community Legal Aid and the Migrant Farmworkers Clinic, as well as interning with the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Pro Bono Students Canada. Dylan worked as a research assistant at Windsor Law and summered with a Toronto criminal appellate practice before his articles.

Education

University of Windsor (J.D., 2022)

University of Ottawa (B.A., Political Science and Communication, 2016)

Admissions

Law Society of Ontario

Professional Activities 

Member, The Advocates’ Society