Raymond F. Wagner K.C.
Raymond F. Wagner, K.C. is the founder and principal of Wagners. With over 42 years of legal experience, he has dedicated his career to advocating for injured plaintiffs and driving systemic change through the law. His practice focuses on class actions, medical negligence—particularly birth trauma—and personal injury litigation.
A compassionate and relentless advocate, Ray is known for his integrity, civility, and strategic litigation. He has successfully litigated complex and novel legal issues, often pushing legal boundaries to expand access to justice. He has appeared before all levels of court in Atlantic Canada, as well as in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Ray and his firm were appointed by the CCAA Court to represent victims of tobacco-related harm across Canada in the largest and most complex CCAA proceedings in Canadian history. This landmark restructuring resulted in an unprecedented settlement, securing significant compensation for victims and allocating $1 billion toward improving outcomes for tobacco-related diseases.
His work extends beyond securing compensation for his clients—he is deeply committed to using restorative justice as a means of addressing systemic harms. Several of his cases have not only provided financial redress for victims but have also fostered healing, accountability, and closure. His advocacy has driven meaningful societal change, improving public safety and ensuring that past harms are acknowledged in a way that goes beyond monetary compensation.
An accomplished trial lawyer, Ray has been repeatedly recognized for his class action and medical negligence work by Lexpert and Best Lawyers and is a recipient of the NSBS Distinguished Service Award (2023), H. Bruce T. Hillyer Award and the Lorne Clarke K.C. Access to Justice Award. In 2021, he was internationally recognized for his contributions to the legal profession with his induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
In 2015, Ray was one of five finalists for the Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award across North America for his representation in Elwin et al. v. Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children et al.—a historic institutional abuse class action resolved through restorative justice principles, leading to a multi-million-dollar settlement for survivors. Elwin also led to the first Canadian restorative public inquiry.
As one of the founders of APTLA and its first President, as well as the inaugural Chairman of the Canadian Caucus of the AAJ, Ray has played a pivotal role in strengthening plaintiff advocacy in Canada. He remains committed to advancing legal principles that not only achieve justice for his clients but also drive meaningful societal change.
Bar Admissions
- Nova Scotia, February 1980
Professional Memberships
- Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
- Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association
- Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- American Association for Justice / Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Canadian Caucus of the American Association of Justice
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
Speaking Engagements
- Ray routinely presents to professional organizations such as the CBA (NS and ON), the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association (APTLA), the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Le Barreau du Québec, and Osgoode’s Class Action Symposium. He has also served on several Nova Scotia Bar committees, including the Statutory Costs and Fees Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Contingency Fee Agreement subcommittee.
- NSBS Distinguished Service Award (2023) – Recognized for significant contributions to the legal profession, community, and legal reform
- Bruce T. Hillyer Award – Awarded for contributions to plaintiff advocacy
- Lorne Clarke K.C. Access to Justice Award – Recognized for advancing access to justice
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2021) – International recognition for contributions to the legal profession
- Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award (2015) – Finalist
- Lexpert – Recognized for class action and medical negligence work
- Best Lawyers – Repeatedly recognized for class action and medical negligence work
