Barbara is a founding partner of MD Lawyers alongside Joni Dobson. Before practising law in London, she enjoyed a 30-year career at a well-respected Downtown Toronto law firm. Barbara takes pride in assisting people with the challenges and changes that injuries bring to their lives and families. She is passionate about helping people achieve the best recovery they can.
Barbara is experienced in trial counsel with a proven track record of successful results for clients who have suffered serious or catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of wrongdoing. She has been recognized by her Peers in Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert.
Barbara MacFarlane focuses her litigation practice on medical negligence, catastrophic injury and fatalities. Her cases include birthing injuries, delayed diagnosis, surgical mistakes, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, product liability, tavern liability, and multifaceted negligence cases.
Barbara has appeared as lead appellate counsel in the Ontario Court of Appeal. She regularly represents clients in the Superior Court, at coroners’ inquests and various administrative tribunals. Barbara has been involved in many complex litigation matters, including class actions.
Called to the Ontario Bar, 1999
LLB/JD Osgoode Hall Law School, 1998
Barbara is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars sponsored by the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Bar Association and other legal associations. Barb has been called upon to contribute to submissions to the legislature on proposed legislation. She is a former Instructor for the Law Society of Upper Canada Bar Admission Course and former Advisor/Consultant, Law Society of Upper Canada, Bar Admission Course.
Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development – Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop, Guest Instructor (July 2018)
The Law Society of Ontario: Best Practices in Medical Malpractice (June 2018), as a panelist speaking on Tips for Making Pleadings Useful
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, Annual Spring Conference: Strategies and Tactics for Medical Malpractice Trials (May 2018) as a panelist on Jury Trials
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, Annual Spring Conference: Strategies and Tactics for Medical Malpractice Trials (May 2018), speaking on Proving Causation and Damages in Late Diagnosis of Cancer Cases
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus: Getting to First Chair (March 2018), co-presented with Adam Wagman on Strategies for Opening and Closing Statements to a Jury
Advocates’ Society: Tricks of the Trade 2018 (January 2018) as a panelist speaking on Challenging Jurors in Civil Cases
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Advanced Trial Series Webinar – Part 4: Crossing the Finish Line (October 2017), co-presenting with Loretta Merritt on completing Jury Trials
Ontario Bar Association, Health Law Litigation: Hot Topics in Medical Malpractice Litigation (October 2017), panelist
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Webinar – Proving Causation and Damages in Late Cancer Diagnosis Cases (July 2017), co-presenting with Jillian Evans
Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development – Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop, Guest Instructor (July 2017)
Ontario Bar Association, Health Law Section: Medical Malpractice 101 – Practical Strategies panelist (April 2016)
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association, Medical Malpractice Annual Conference (February 2016) speaking on Shoulder Dystocia and causes of Brachial Plexus Palsy, including birthing injuries
Ontario Bar Association, Insurance Law Section: Understanding Back Pain (December 2015) speaking on cross-examination of physician.
Barbara A. MacFarlane. “Cancer Malpractice Cases: Proving the Die is not Cast” Litigator (2015)
Barbara A. MacFarlane and Loretta Merritt. “Concurrent Criminal and Civil Cases: Making the Most of Evidence”, Litigator
Barbara A. MacFarlane and Marco P. Falco. “Medical Malpractice Law: Intricacies of the Common Law”, Annual Review of Civil Litigation p. 489
“Trends in Shoulder Dystocia Cases: Non-negligent Causes of Brachial Plexus Palsy”, Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Medical Malpractice Round Table: July 2014
Barbara A. MacFarlane. “Full Appreciation” and A Contextual Approach to Summary Judgment Motions Ontario Bar Association – Health Matters: Health Law Section Newsletter (April 2012)
Barbara A. MacFarlane. The Apology Act, 2009 – “Can doctors apologize?” Torkin Manes Focus. 2009; Fall: p. 3.
Barbara A. MacFarlane. Adjuster”s Liability – “Should I Be Concerned?” Ottawa Valley Adjusters Association (2004-2005 December)
Barbara A. MacFarlane. To Serve or Not to Serve? paper written for Durham Region Safer Bars Workshop (2002 to 2005).
Barbara A. MacFarlane. Courts Shut Door on Examinations Under Oath, The Lawyers Weekly Vol. 19, No. 7 (June 18, 1999
Member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association
Member of the Ontario Brain Injury Association
Volunteer Scouts Canada
