Ava Marion Hillier was born in Montreal and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts ( BA) from Queen’s University. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in Toronto in 1980. She joined her mother Suzanne Hillier in legal practice in Brampton Ontario and carried on a general litigation practice in real estate and commercial litigation and criminal law until 1987, at which time she became a partner at Hiller and Hillier, thereafter specializing in personal injury litigation, including professional negligence claims. She co – founded the Ontario Trial Lawyer’s Association ( OTLA) in 1991.  She has presented numerous lectures , presentations and written numerous articles on personal injury litigation for OTLA and for its magazine,  The Litigator, since 1991. She has lectured  and presented for or on behalf of, The Canadian Institute, The Ontario Bar Association, Queen’s University Law School, The Canadian Bar Association, Insight, The American Association of Justice (AAJ), The American Trial Lawyers Association ( ATLA), The Canadian Medical – Legal Society,  MAAD ( Mothers Against Drunk Driving),  the Osgoode Hall Law Association and The Advocates Society.   She  served as a Director and Vice -President of  The Ontario Trial Association for over 7 years. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in October of 2004.  In 1998 and 1995  OTLA awarded her The Most Popular Professor in the Trial Advocacy Course at Queen’s University.  She was invited to act as a Director of the Advocate’s Society from 2007 to 2010, and she has presented on behalf of the Advocate’s Society in Canada, Mexico and in the Cayman Islands.

Ava has appeared in trial courts at every level in Ontario representing injured Plaintiffs, and at the Court of Appeal. Her legal practice is restricted to personal injury litigation, claims arising from denied disability and other insurance applications including SABS claims as well as professional negligence claims. She continues to present on behalf of OTLA and has chaired numerous conventions since its inception in 1991.

She has no plans to retire.

Areas Of Practice

Personal Injury Litigation

Bar Admissions

Ontario, 1980

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – 1978

Queen’s University

B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1975

Classes/Seminars

Lecturer and Presenter, Canadian Institute

Lecturer and Presenter, Ontario Bar Association

Lecturer and Presenter, Queen’s University Law School

Lecturer and Presenter, Canadian Bar Association

Lecturer and Presenter, Insight

Lecturer and Presenter, American Association of Justice

Lecturer and Presenter, American Trial Lawyers Association

Lecturer and Presenter, Canadian Medical – Legal Society

Lecturer and Presenter, MAAD

Lecturer and Presenter, Osgoode Hall Law Association

Lecturer and Presenter, Advocates Society

Advocate’s Society, Canada, Presenter

Advocate’s Society, Mexico, Presenter

Advocate’s Society, Cayman Islands, Presenter

Presenter, OTLA

Honors And Awards

Distinguished Service Award, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, 2004

Awardee, Most Popular Professor, OTLA, 1995 and 1998

Professional Associations And Memberships

Ontario Trial Lawyer’s Association, Co-founder, 1991

Ontario Trial Association, Director and Vice-President

Lectures

Special Considerations in Handling Complex Brain Injury Clients: Advancing or Defending The Brain Injury Case

Presented by Osgoode Hall Law School

April 2015

The Short Course on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Claims — Panel Speaker: Building the Case

Presented by Osgoode Hall Law School

November 2014

The Osgoode Short Course in Mediation Advocacy — Panel Speaker: Mediation Advocacy II

Presented by Osgoode Hall Law School

September 2014

Tricks of the Trade Conference Presenter

Presented by The Advocates’ Society

2013

Moderator of Panel of Doctors (Dr. Moran and Dr. Barry etc.) Topic: Chronic Pain

Presented by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association

Fall Conference 2011

Jury Trial Practice from A to Verdict, topic: Surveillance — A New Lawyers Division Primer

Presented by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association at the Fall Conference

September 24, 2010

Damages Assessment: The Times they are a Changing — Panel Speaker: Special Lectures on Personal Injury Law

Presented by The Law Society of Upper Canada

April 2008

New Cases You Need to Know — The Liability Toolbox II

Presented by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association

May 2008

Damages Assessment Panel

Insurance Law Seminar presented by Dutton Brock LLP

January 2008

Does Private Mediation Add Value to the MVA Litigation Process?

Panel Speaker: Advanced Forum on Motor Vehicle Accident Litigation, Latest Development & Trends in Advancing & Defending First Party and Liability Claims

Presented by The Canadian Institute

September 2007

How to Deal with Harmful Clinical Notes & Records and Use them to Build Your Case

Presented by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association

May 2007

Retaining Experts: When, Who and How

Presented by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association: Young Lawyers Division

March 2007

Special Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Jury Advocacy — Panel Speaker: When Counsel Should Open & Use of Exhibits/Demonstrative Aids in Opening

Presented by the Advocates Society

April 2006

Client Management Tips

Presented by the Ontario Bar Association

February 2006