Gavin Cosgrove has practised personal injury law at Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers in Eastern Ontario since 2009, building a reputation grounded in the discipline and team-first philosophy he developed as a competitive athlete. This profile examines the principles that shape the firm's approach to client advocacy, how Bergeron Clifford has expanded its regional presence while staying embedded in the communities it serves, and why a landmark reform to Ontario's statutory accident benefits makes consumer education more urgent than ever for injured Ontarians.
Before joining Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers as a first-year associate in 2009, Gavin Cosgrove competed as an NCAA Division I track athlete at Manhattan College in the Bronx, New York. The experience taught him discipline, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. Those lessons transfer directly to personal injury litigation. "I learned that success comes from preparation long before race day, and setbacks are inevitable; what matters most is how you respond," Cosgrove says. "Every file requires preparation, persistence, and the ability to adapt. It reinforces that success is a team effort, and that's how we practise law at Bergeron Clifford." That philosophy still drives the practice today.
After graduating from the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law in 2008, Cosgrove wanted to use his degree where it could make a real difference. Personal injury law fit that mandate. "Our clients don't come to us on their best day," he notes, adding that they arrive in crisis, carrying pain, uncertainty, and financial stress while battling a claims system that often feels deliberately designed to outlast them. He joined Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers the following year. The firm, founded in Kingston in 1999 by Chris Clifford and Ted Bergeron, had three lawyers at that point. He has never left, attributing that loyalty to the firm's client-first philosophy, its culture, and its commitment to excellent work.
From its roots as a much smaller firm, Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers has grown into a five-office operation spanning Kingston, Ottawa, Perth, Carleton Place, and Pembroke. The geographic footprint is intentional. "We're part of these communities," Cosgrove says. "Our lawyers live here, we raise families here, and we understand the people we represent." That proximity lets the firm build sustained relationships with local healthcare providers, rehabilitation professionals, and legal communities right across Eastern Ontario. "We combine regional reach with personal service, and we're proud of it," Cosgrove states. Follow the firm's updates and team profiles on LinkedIn.
Ontario's Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) was overhauled on July 1, 2026, under Ontario Regulation 383/24. Most of the benefits built into every Ontario auto insurance policy for decades, income replacement, caregiver expenses, and death and funeral benefits, are no longer automatic. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, only medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory. Everything else is now optional coverage that consumers must actively choose and pay higher premiums for. For personal injury lawyers around the province, alarm bells are ringing.
Review your policy before renewal, and speak to a broker about optional benefits. That is Cosgrove's clear message. "Many people assume that they have more protection than they actually do through their policies," he says. "Reduced mandatory benefits mean individuals may face larger gaps after, especially, a serious collision. The reforms place greater responsibility on consumers to review their policies carefully. Education has never been more important." He stresses that now is not the time to assume anything about coverage, adding that "spending a little bit more time today can make an enormous difference after a catastrophic injury." "Hopefully, you'll never need that coverage. But if you do, you'll be very glad you have it."
Trial preparation is the foundation of Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers' practice, even when most cases settle. Fully investigating the facts and grasping both the strengths and weaknesses of a file is the baseline. A demonstrated readiness to go to trial also shifts the negotiating dynamic: when the other side knows the firm is prepared, it often leads to a more meaningful settlement. "Our clients benefit from what we call trial-level preparation regardless," Cosgrove says. "Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome, whether that's in the courtroom or across the negotiating table." Cosgrove is adamant that what separates the good from the great is the preparation that ensures nothing is left to chance.
Not by awards. Cosgrove holds his Best Lawyers recognition and his Litigation Counsel of America fellowship with gratitude, seeing them as reflective of the entire firm's hard work. "Awards aren't something we chase," he states. The real measure is the feedback from the people behind the files. "The greatest measure of success is when a client comes to us and says: 'You helped me through a very difficult time,'" he says. "That's what continues to motivate me." He describes himself as someone who intentionally stays curious and leads by example, wanting clients and colleagues alike to know they can rely on him. Legal professionals and clients seeking deeper insight into personal injury law and Ontario's shifting auto insurance landscape can explore Canadian Lawyer's premium sponsored reports. If this piece is useful to your practice or your clients, share it on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Gavin Cosgrove: partner, Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers; graduated University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law, 2008; joined as first-year associate, 2009; recognized as one of Eastern Ontario's top personal injury lawyers since 2024; Litigation Counsel of America fellow; ran NCAA Division I track at Manhattan College, Bronx, NY; identical twin; father of two.
