Atty. Todd J. Burke

Atty. Todd J. Burke

Todd Burke is a senior litigation partner in the firm's Ottawa office. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, professional liability and risk management.

Ottawa Ottawa 34 yrs experience 34 year
Call (613) 233-1781 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Todd J. Burke at a glance

Todd J. Burke is a business, litigation, and insurance attorney based in Ottawa, Ontario, practicing at Gowling WLG. They have 34+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1992. Admitted to practice in Ontario, Law Society of Ontario (1992). Educated at Dalhousie University (—, 1990). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate and Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law (2026). Serands clients in Ottawa, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Todd Burke is a senior litigation partner in the firm's Ottawa office
  • His practice is focused on commercial litigation, professional liability and risk management
  • With over 20 years of experience, Todd has handled complex disputes for individuals, private and public companies, as well as government and other public agencies
  • His representation includes early case assessment, regular reporting, project management, e-discovery best practices, effective budgeting and vigorous representation
  • Top-ranked in The Best Lawyers in Canada, Benchmark Litigation and Lexpert, Todd has been lead counsel in litigation and arbitration matters in the banking, construction, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, technology and transportation sectors
  • His experience includes complex contractual disputes, economic torts, shareholders’ remedies, distribution agreements, breach of confidence and trade secrets, trade libel, options to purchase, product liability and injunctions
  • In the professional liability area, Todd leads a team dedicated to the representation of regulated health professionals in a variety of disciplines
  • This involves representation in both civil and disciplinary proceedings
  • In addition to representing health professionals, Todd represents engineers, financial advisers and technology professionals
  • Todd’s experience also includes providing crisis management advice and support to clients
  • Todd is a member of Gowlings’ Board of Trustees, and is also the leader of the Ottawa office's Commercial Litigation Department and the firm’s Crisis Management Group
  • Previously, Todd served as the leader of Gowlings’ firm-wide Commercial Litigation Group, as well as the firm’s U.S
  • Initiative
  • An active member of the American Bar Association (ABA), Todd currently serves as a Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee of the International Section of the ABA, and as Vice-Chair of the E-Discovery Sub-Committee
  • He is also a member of the ABA's Business Law Section

Practice Areas Explained

Todd J. Burke's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Todd J. Burke handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Todd J. Burke is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Ontario →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Todd J. Burke is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Ontario →

Insurance Law

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

Todd J. Burke is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Ontario →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Ontario

Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Ottawa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Ottawa or all attorneys in Ontario.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Todd J. Burke

Where is Todd J. Burke's law office located?
Todd J. Burke's law practice is located in Ottawa, Ontario. The firm is Gowling WLG. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Todd J. Burke handle?
Todd J. Burke focuses on business, litigation, insurance. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Ontario.
How long has Todd J. Burke practiced law?
Todd J. Burke has 34+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1992.
Where did Todd J. Burke go to law school?
Todd J. Burke earned their education at (—, 1990).
How can I contact Todd J. Burke for a consultation?
You can contact Todd J. Burke directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Todd J. Burke received?
Todd J. Burke's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Education

Dalhousie University
- 1990

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Corporate and Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Ottawa (Canada)
- 2025

Bar Admissions

Ontario, Law Society of Ontario
Admitted: 1992

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