Heather J Vaughn

Heather J. Vaughan

Partner

hvaughan@bensonpercival.com

416-977-9777 ext #106

647-251-9733

Heather is known for her compassion towards her clients, her pragmatic approach to resolution of litigation matters and her keen sense of humour.

Practice Areas

Insurance Litigation

Personal Injury Defence

Professional Regulation

Education

York University, B.E.S. (1996)

Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B 1999

Professional Affiliations

Law Society of Ontario

Canadian Defence Lawyers Association

Canadian Bar Association

Ontario Bar Association

The Advocates Society

DRI – Voice of the Defense Bar

Woman’s Law Association Ontario

Notable Past Accomplishments

2022 - Chair, Insurance Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association

2017 - The Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals, Osgoode Hall Law School

2016 – Heather was one of the founding members of the Woman’s Caucus of the Canadian Defence Lawyers association and served as chair of the section from 2018 – 2020. She served as chair of the inaugural CDL WC Woman’s Caucus Retreat held in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2022.

In The Media

Canadian Lawyer | July 15, 2021 | 2021 Top Insurance Defence Law Boutiques

Legal Matters Canada | May 8, 2020 | Ensure Your Insurance Policies Are Up to Date During the Pandemic

Canadian Lawyer | April 14, 2020 | Insurance Law Legal Report: The Rise of Climate Change Risk

Legal Matters Canada | December 1, 2019 | Broker Met Duty of Care, Can’t Be an “Expert in All Things”

Legal Matters Canada | September 1, 2019 | Car Dealerships’ Duty of Care Up in the Air

Canadian Lawyer | March 25, 2019 | Back to Basics: Use of Experts and Introduction of Technology Challenging in Defence Bar

The Lawyer’s Daily | May 14, 2018 | Federal Insurance Oversight Bodies Seeking Input on Customer Service Regulations

BIOGRAPHY

Heather Vaughan is a pragmatic and client-focused litigator with a distinct focus on professional regulation and insurance defence litigation. A partner at BPB LLP, Heather draws on over two decades of legal experience to guide clients through complex disciplinary, regulatory, and litigation processes—often with humour, empathy, and tactical clarity.

Heather’s regulatory practice centres on representing healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists, facing complaints or discipline before their regulatory colleges. She is known for resolving matters at the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) level, often avoiding full hearings and public scrutiny.  Her regulatory work includes serving as Tribunal Counsel for the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) and consulting with tribunals to provide process improvement and procedural fairness in administrative matters.

In her broader litigation practice, Heather defends personal injury claims—including complex motor vehicle and occupiers’ liability matters—and represents clients in negligence claims involving construction professionals and educational or care-based institutions.

She frequently appears before other administrative tribunals including WSIAT and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Her practice is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and authenticity, and she is consistently recognized for delivering tailored, agile strategies aligned to client goals.

Heather is an active member of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, where she has chaired the Women’s Caucus Luncheon Committee and has helped organize the annual retreat.  In 2024, she was named an Expert-Ranked Lawyer and is repeatedly recommended by peers and clients alike.

Outside the office, Heather enjoys golf, painting, hiking, pickleball, and walks with her dog. Her vibrant approach to life parallels the creativity and tenacity she brings to legal practice.

Recognition

Heather was recognized in the 2026 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as one of Canada’s Leading Legal Practitioners.

Notable Decisions

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Ltd. V. Charleston [2002] O.J. No. 100 Middlesex Condominium Corp. No. 79 v. McFarlane 2001 CarswellOnt 2744, 107 A.C.W.S. (3d) 313
Mercure v. Gilbert, 2004 CanLII 36072 (ON SC)
Lange v. 882819 Ontario Limited, 2006 CanLII 51175 (ON SC)
Kim v. Choi, 2012 ONSC 6627 (CanLII)
Desbiens v. Lim, 2013 ONSC 6124 (CanLII)
Morante-McRae v. King, 2013 ONSC 2200 (CanLII)
RBC General Insurance Company v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada Limited, 2013 ONCA 213 (CanLII)
Due v. Collings, 2018 ONSC 4003 (CanLII)
Doobay v. Fu, 2020 ONSC 1774 (CanLII)
Doobay v. Fu, 2020 ONSC 3329 (CanLII)

HPARB:

D.B. v J.G., 2020 CanLII 64050 (ON HPARB)
G. v M. L., 2020 CanLII 36276 (ON HPARB)
Gray v M.L., 2022 CanLII 72119 (ON HPARB)
Stewart v Merani, 2022 CanLII 103563 (ON HPARB)
Stewart v Merani, 2022 CanLII 103562 (ON HPARB)

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS DISCIPLINE PANEL:

Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Jurkuvenas, 2019 ONCPDC 21 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Evans, 2019 ONCPDC 13 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. White, 2020 ONCPDC 14 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Satija, 2021 ONCPDC 33 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Barreiro, 2022 ONCPDC 24 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Premji, 2022 ONCPDC 23 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Buric, 2023 ONCPDC 2 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Adamo, 2024 ONCPDC 20 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Blad, 2024 ONCPDC 37 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Fashina, 2024 ONCPDC 7 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Kubar, 2024 ONCPDC 9 (CanLII)
Ontario (College of Pharmacists) v. Kuye, 2025 ONCPDC 13 (CanLII)

 

WSIAT:

Decision No. 3536/18, 2018 ONWSIAT 4001 (CanLII)
Decision No. 1691/16, 2016 ONWSIAT 2108 (CanLII)
Decision No. 1386/15, 2015 ONWSIAT 1579 (CanLII)