Vanessa Petronilho is an Associate at McNally Gervan. She graduated from law school in 2024 and was called to the Bar in 2025. With a background in social work and a strong passion for advocacy, Vanessa brings a compassionate, client-centred approach to her legal practice.
Full Decision The Supreme Court of Canada, in a landmark decision, recognized a new tort of intimate partner violence (IPV). At the heart of the majority’s reasoning is the recognition that IPV constitutes a distinct form of social harm. While existing torts provide remedies for physical and psychological injuries, they fail to capture the unique harm associated with IPV. That harm is rooted in coercive …
Full Decision This recent decision from the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) offers helpful guidance and encouragement for plaintiffs and counsel pursuing a catastrophic impairment (CAT) designation under Ontario’s statutory accident benefits regime. Background The case concerned Mr. Mayers, who was injured in a motor vehicle collision on January 25, 2021. The central issue before the LAT was whether he met the threshold for CAT under …