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When used creatively in the litigation space, AI can add value for clients, but it does not replace a skilled lawyer – and there’s still much to be wary of
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The landscape of intellectual property disputes is evolving. Patents, industrial designs, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights are critical business assets that deserve greater attention from business leaders
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Sandler, Daniel; EY Law LLP Sanft, Jordana; Lenczner Slaght Santini, Pasquale; Kelly Santini LLP Sarabia, Luis G.; Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Sawatzky, Murray R., KC; McDougall Gauley LLP Schachter, Stephen R., KC; Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP Scopa, Jordan; Goodmans LLP Seers, Myriam M.; Agora International Law Seida, Simon; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Senkpiel, Peter R., KC; Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP Sharpe, Jeffrey E.; Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP Shaughnessy, Andrew M.; Torys LLP Shaw, Byron; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Shaw, Geoffrey B.; Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Shawa, Sabri M., KC, FCIArb; Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP Siddiqui, Fahad; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Sirivar, Junior; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Skodyn, Andrew; Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Smith, Patrick S.; Seastone IP LLP Smockum, D. Keith; Smockum Zarnett LLP Smyth, Kara; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Smyth, Sean S., KC; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Sokalski, Robert P.; Hill Sokalski Walsh LLP Solose, Ariel; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Sood, Bobby J.; Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Sorensen, John; Gowling WLG Sotiriadis, Bob H.; ROBIC Spalding, Jade A.; Cox & Palmer Spry, Cynthia; Babin Bessner Spry LLP St-Cyr, Yves; Dentons Canada LLP Staley, Robert W.; Bennett Jones LLP Steep, R. Paul; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Stevenson, Vivian R., KC; Field Law Stieber, Steven; Stieber Law Strosberg, Harvey T., KC; Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP Strosberg, Jay; Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP Sugar, Stephanie; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Sullivan, James M., KC; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Sullivan, Patrick J.; Whitelaw Twining (WT BCA LLP) Summerhill, Louise R.; Aird & Berlis LLP Sutton, Thomas N.T.; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Swan, Richard B.; Bennett Jones LLP Tait, David A.; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Tardif, Anne M.; Gowling WLG Tarnowsky, Gordon, KC; Dentons Canada LLP Taylor, Roger E.; EY Law LLP Templer, Deborah; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Tenai, Steve J.; Aird & Berlis LLP Thacker, Lawrence E.; Lenczner Slaght Theall, Lawrence G.; Theall Group LLP Thera, David E., KC; McKercher LLP Theroux, Michael P.; Bennett Jones LLP Thibodeau, Chantal A.; Fidelis Law Droit Thomson, Kent E.; Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Thurlow, W. Harry; Cox & Palmer Tomasich, Lauren; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Tomchak, Teresa M.; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Tomkins, Alyssa; Gowling WLG Tonkovich, Mark; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Toppings, Vera; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Torralbo, Robert J.; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Trépanier, Christian; Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Trudel, Philippe H.; Trudel Johnston & Lespérance Tucker, Gregory J.; Owen Bird Law Corporation Tupper, David; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Valasek, Martin J.; Bennett Jones LLP Vallières, Éric; McMillan LLP Van Barr, Christopher C.; Gowling WLG Varah, Dena; Lenczner Slaght Veel, Paul-Erik; Lenczner Slaght Veneziano, Mark; Lenczner Slaght Vesely, Marko; Lawson Lundell LLP Visser, Linda; Siskinds LLP Vogel, Sharon C.; Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP Waddell, Margaret L.; Waddell Phillips Professional Corporation Wadsworth, Christine; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Wagner, Wendy J.; Gowling WLG Wall, Kristin; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Wardle, Peter C.; Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP White, J. Bradley; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Whitmore, Sarah E.; Torys LLP Wihak, Lauren J.; McDougall Gauley LLP Wilcox, Peter R.; Belmore Neidrauer LLP Williams, David B.; Harrison Pensa LLP Wilson, Andrew P., KC; Jensen Shawa Solomon Duguid Hawkes LLP Wilson, Christopher S.; Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Wisner, Robert; McMillan LLP Wood, Shelley A.; Stewart McKelvey Woodin, Cheryl M.; Bennett Jones LLP Woods, Sarah; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Woods, Seumas; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Worden, W. Grant; Torys LLP Wotherspoon, David; Wotherspoon Law Wright, Charles M.; Siskinds LLP Wright, J. Kevin; DLA Piper (Canada) LLP Wright, Janice L.; Wright Temelini LLP Yates, Jill; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Yorke-Slader, Blair C., KC; Bennett Jones LLP Yoshida, Douglas T.; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Young, Joan M.; McMillan LLP Zayid, Caroline R.; McCarthy Tétrault LLP Zukran, Joey; LPC Avocats
Geoffrey D.E. Adair
Adair Litigation
Insolvency and Restructuring
OCTOBER 2024 special edition
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Canadian Lawyer presents the law firms that stand out through their expertise, client-focused service, and efficient dispute resolution
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Simon Bieber
(416) 351-2781 sbieber@agbllp.com Simon's practice focuses on commercial and corporate litigation, directors’ and officers’ liability, securities litigation, class actions, and professional negligence. He represents a broad range of clients, including various regulated professionals, directors and officers, oppressed shareholders, and public and private companies. Simon appears regularly at all levels of court in Ontario and Canada-wide, as well as administrative tribunals in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba regulating securities and capital markets, accountants, and lawyers. Simon also regularly mediates and arbitrates commercial matters. Simon’s excellence in advocacy is consistently recognized by his peers and leading legal publications, and in 2019 was invited to become a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an honour extended to less than one-half of one percent of North American lawyers, recognizing excellence in trial advocacy. Simon is on the Board of the Directors of The Advocates’ Society, a Member of the Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee of the Ontario Securities Commission, and is regularly invited to present at legal seminars and conferences, Simon is the co-author of a text published by LexisNexis titled Directors’ and Officers’ Liability in Canada.
Jordan Goldblatt
(416) 920-9777 jgoldblatt@agbllp.com Jordan is the managing partner of Adair Goldblatt Bieber LLP. He represents licensed professionals, professional associations, insurance companies, and both private and public corporations across issues spanning general commercial, tort, professional responsibility, administrative and public law litigation. Jordan is consistently recognized for his advocacy by his peers and prominent publications, including Lexpert, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers. These accolades span various practice areas, including general commercial, insolvency, product liability, professional responsibility, administrative, and public law litigation. Jordan is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invite-only trial advocacy society comprising less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Jordan has presented at various conferences organized by the Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates' Society, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Ontario Bar Association. Jordan has taught trial advocacy at Osgoode Hall’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop. Prior to co-founding Adair Goldblatt Bieber LLP, Jordan practised at Lenczner Slaght LLP and Goldblatt Partners LLP.
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(416) 351-2790 jwilkes@agbllp.com Julia acts for and provides advice to a range of corporate and individual clients in all manner of civil, commercial, and administrative proceedings, including professionals, statutory officers, shareholders, and directors and officers. She has a robust regulatory and administrative law practice assisting municipal integrity commissioners, athletes, university students, and regulated professionals accused of misconduct. Julia has acted as lead counsel on trials in the Superior Court of Justice, on judicial reviews in the Divisional Court, and in hearings before various tribunals. Julia also regularly acts as a mediator and arbitrator in sports-related disputes. Julia is regularly recognized by her peers and in leading legal publications. Since 2020, Benchmark Litigation has named her a “Future Litigation Star” and top “40 & Under” litigator, and in both 2022 and 2023 shortlisted her for the Emerging Talent Litigator of the Year. Julia is also recognized by Lexpert for corporate commercial litigation and regulatory and public law. Julia mentors students through the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law Alumni-Student Mentorship Program and through her ties to the university’s student legal clinic, Downtown Legal Services.
Julia Wilkes
(604) 661-1746 dnawata@farris.com Denise Nawata is a corporate-commercial partner practising in the fields of corporate finance & securities, cross-border mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance law. Her practice is focused on complex business transactions, for both public and private companies at various stages of their corporate growth. Denise acts for clients in a wide range of industries, including natural resources (with extensive experience in mining and oil & gas transactions), technology, and life sciences. In 2016, Denise was named as one of the Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40. She is recognized in the 2024 Lexpert Special Editions — Mining, Energy, and Finance and M&A. She is also recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 and the 2024 Best Lawyers in Canada directory for her work in mergers & acquisitions, corporate, and securities law. Admitted to the Alberta Bar (2005) and British Columbia Bar (2006).
Denise Nawata
(604) 661-1704 jsujir@farris.com Partner Jay Sujir has 35+ years of experience acting for mining and other resource companies, as well as for a number of technology companies. His primary focus is in securities law in the mining, natural resources, and energy areas with an emphasis on public offerings of securities, mergers & acquisitions, and takeovers. He’s acted as lead counsel for issuers and investment dealers in a number of significant financings and mergers & acquisitions transactions and in dealings with stock exchanges and securities regulatory authorities. Admitted to the Bar of British Columbia (1986).
H. Jay Sujir
(416) 573-1779 jadair@agbllp.com John’s practice is focused on commercial litigation with an emphasis on partnership, contractual, and estates disputes. John also regularly represents clients in directors’ and officers’ liability claims, enforcement of foreign judgments, and professional liability matters. John has a robust appellate practice, having appeared at the Court of Appeal for Ontario on over 40 appeals and before the Supreme Court of Canada on multiple occasions. For his excellence in litigation, John is consistently recognized as a leading litigator by his peers and leading publications. John is regularly invited to speak at conferences and conduct advocacy demonstrations. He has authored of numerous articles related to litigation issues, for which he has won awards. John is a former co-chair of The Advocates’ Society Commercial Litigation Practice Group. John is an engaged alumnus of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where he is invested in developing and supporting new lawyers. He has served as an instructor of Trial Advocacy, mentored students through the Alumni-Student Mentorship Program, and is presently an Adjunct Professor of Access to Justice and the Legal Process.
John Adair
Lexpert-ranked leading litigation lawyers
november 2024 special edition
(416) 476-8195 gadair@adairlitigation.com Geoff is one of Canada’s leading trial and appellate lawyers. His experience is unmatched, having tried over 250 jury and non-jury cases in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and argued in excess of 150 appeals in the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada in lawsuits ranging from the most sophisticated commercial matters through to major tort/personal injury cases; legal and medical malpractice claims and commercial insurance (including Director & Officer) cases. Geoff tried an even dozen murder trials as a younger lawyer. Geoff is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the author of On Trial: Advocacy Skills Law and Practice, a text frequently cited by courts in Canada, and a contributing author to Ontario Courtroom Procedure as well as a frequent lecturer on advocacy topics at professional continuing education programs. Geoff’s practice continues both as an expert trial & appellate advocate and a provider of litigation advice and assistance to the profession.
Lawyer to watch
(416) 360-5951 jrook@agmlawyers.com In his more than 50-year career, John Rook has assisted clients in developing practical and innovative strategies for prosecuting and defending civil, criminal and administrative proceedings, and responding to regulatory investigations. He has been engaged in complex litigation throughout his career and has appeared before the Competition Tribunal, the Federal Court Trial division and the Federal Court of Appeal, several provincial courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has represented the Commissioner of Competition on numerous occasions and acted as counsel before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal in the largest merger in Canadian history. He has also represented clients in matters relating to negligence and products liability claims, contracts, class actions, claims against directors and officers, energy, public utilities boards, telecommunications and broadcasting, among others.
John F. Rook
(416) 360-8100 dvaillancourt@agmlawyers.com David is a determined and committed advocate for his clients. David has extensive courtroom experience, having successfully appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, motions, and appeals. He is also a skillful negotiator, having successfully negotiated the resolution of numerous cases. He has a broad practice in commercial litigation, insurance law, and competition law. David represents clients in proceedings before the Competition Tribunal, including abuse of dominance proceedings; he advises clients regarding Competition Act compliance; he advises clients regarding complaints to the Competition Bureau; and he acts as class action defence counsel for clients who are alleged to have breached provisions of the Competition Act.
David N. Vaillancourt
Michael I. Binetti
(416) 360-0777 mbinetti@agmlawyers.com Michael Binetti, Managing Partner of Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP, has 18+ years of trial and appellate experience in various litigation practices. Clients and peers value his creativity in finding unique, winning solutions. One client remarked, “Michael gets it and knows how to win.” He has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Court of Appeal, and various tribunals. He regularly advises and acts on competition law, employment termination, fraud, franchise disputes, product liability, construction liens, and surety disputes. Michael has expertise in insured and uninsured professional negligence matters involving lawyers, investment professionals, broker/dealer disputes, and regulatory investigations. Michael is a director of the Toronto Lawyers’ Association and active with the Canadian Bar Association’s Competition Law Section, where he chaired the Marketing Practices Committee. He is recognized in Lexpert as Repeatedly Recommended for Competition Law and Litigation – Corporate Commercial, and in Who’s Who Legal as Recommended and a Future Leader for Competition Law. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada for Advertising and Marketing Law, Class Action Litigation, and Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Year called to the bar: 2006 (ON).
(604) 282-3982 greg@amlc.ca Greg Allen is an experienced trial and appellate litigator who routinely appears as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has a diverse civil and commercial litigation practice with expertise in shareholders remedies, municipal law, defamation, and administrative law. He represents a diverse roster of clients, ranging from large public companies to individuals. He has a particular specialty in appellate advocacy. He has made 10 appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada, including eight as lead counsel. He was lead counsel for the City of Nelson in Nelson (City) v. Marchi, 2021 SCC 41, the leading case on public authority tort immunity in Canada. Before founding Allen/McMillan Litigation Counsel in 2018, he clerked at the BC Court of Appeal and spent 8 years practicing at Hunter Litigation Chambers. He has published on a wide range of topics, including administrative law, conflicts of laws, international law, defamation and appellate advocacy. He is a regular presenter at continuing legal education seminars and dedicates time to mentoring younger lawyers. He is a regular volunteer for Access Pro Bono’s Court of Appeal roster program and presently sits as the Law Society’s nominee on the Hamber Foundation Board of Governors.
Rebecca Morse
(604) 684-9151 rmorse@farris.com Rebecca has a broad range of experience in insolvency & restructuring matters and other commercial litigation matters. She is recognized by Benchmark Litigation Canada as one of the top 100 women lawyers in litigation and is a Lexpert-ranked lawyer. She has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada for insolvency & financial restructuring law, corporate & commercial litigation, and trusts and estates. Rebecca has extensive experience in restructuring matters as well as in conducting trials and appeals. In insolvency matters, she acts for debtors from a range of industries as well as creditors and court-appointed officers. She has appeared before the BC Supreme Court and the BC Court of Appeal, and has also represented clients in matters before the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.
Albert J. Hudec
(604) 661-9356 ahudec@farris.com Senior partner Al Hudec currently focuses his practice on LNG and other resource industry transactions involving Indigenous parties. He has been lead lawyer on many of Canada’s most significant resource transactions involving First Nations over the last 13 years. Al is an M&A and Corporate Governance practitioner with over 40 years of experience in all legal aspects of securities and corporate finance, including mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, and independent committee representation, with emphasis on the North American resource (mining, forestry, oil & gas), infrastructure, and technology industries. His practice focuses on cross-border mergers & acquisitions (takeovers and arrangements) and board and special/independent committee representation. Al writes and speaks frequently on a variety of legal topics relating to resource law, Aboriginal law, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance. Al is named in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024, and the 2024 Lexpert Special Editions on Mining, and Finance and M&A. Certified Financial Analyst (1994). Called to Bars of Alberta (1981) and BC (1994).
(604) 661-9306 rmurray@farris.com Ron’s practice is focused on mergers & acquisitions, equity and debt financings (both public and private), and complex commercial transactions. He has extensive experience advising public and private companies, investment funds, and special committees on structuring M&A transactions (negotiated and unsolicited), directors’ fiduciary duties, and other corporate governance and securities law matters. Ron regularly advises on cross-border securities transactions. An innovative and practical problem-solver, Ron is able to balance legal rigour with business realities. Prior to joining FARRIS in 2000, Ron was the corporate finance lawyer at the Vancouver office of the predecessor to the TSX Venture Exchange, assisting with the realignment of Canada’s stock exchanges based on market specialization (including the amalgamation of the Vancouver and Alberta stock exchanges) and providing general securities law advice to staff and executives. Ron is a Past Chair of the Securities Law Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) and a past member of the Securities Law Advisory Committee (SLAC), providing advice to the British Columbia Securities Commission on legal and policy issues relating to securities regulation. He has been an instructor for various securities law seminars.
Ronald G. Murray
(416) 865-2348 christina.doria@bakermckenzie.com Christina Doria co-chairs Baker McKenzie’s International Arbitration group in North America. She advises clients on complex business litigation and arbitration. Christina is a trusted legal advisor who clients say is a “pleasure to work with”. She is described as having “extraordinarily strong counsel skills”, “a calm and compelling presentation style”, “excellent knowledge of case law”, and being “articulate, intuitive, well prepared and detail oriented”. Christina cares about her clients’ businesses and in helping them achieve their goals, she “quickly grasps complex subject matter relevant to tactical, strategic and technical issues of the case.” Christina has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the courts of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and domestic and international arbitral tribunals. She frequently writes and speaks on litigation and arbitration matters. Christina is a leader. She is on the steering committee of the Firm's global IA group, and a founding member of the Firm's Women in Arbitration group. She has sat on multiple advisory and executive boards for the ICDR, YCAP, and the LCIA. She is an arbitrator at Arbitration Place.
Jason P. Mangano
(416) 596-2896 jmangano@blaney.com Jason Mangano is widely recognized as a leader in complex litigation with a focus on contractual disputes in the areas of insurance coverage and construction. His representative work spans a broad range of areas of law including commercial disputes. Jason has been successful as lead counsel in several complex matters before various levels of courts throughout Canada. Clients appreciate Jason’s ability to quickly get to the heart of their matter and provide a pragmatic, effective solution. Jason's insurance coverage practice encompasses courtroom application and opinion work in respect of all types of first party and third-party liability policies. He also has extensive experience with P3 wrap-up, directors and officers, commercial general liability, business interruption, errors and omissions and cyber insurance policies.
(416) 593-2988 cempke@blaney.com Colin Empke’s primary practice area relates to insurance coverage opinions, coverage litigation, and appellate litigation services. Colin also acts as arbitrator and mediator in relation to insurance coverage disputes. Colin provides advice in relation to liability policies of every description, including commercial general liability, automobile, homeowner, and D&O policies. His secondary practice area involves insurance-related defence work and subrogation claims, representing insured persons in all manner of personal injury and property damage cases. Colin appears regularly before the Ontario Courts and Court of Appeal. Colin has many reported cases on issues of interest to the insurance industry. Colin is widely published on insurance coverage issues and speaks regularly on insurance-related topics. He has authored papers for or presented lectures at the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Institute, Canadian Defence Lawyers, Defense Research Institute, Osgoode Hall Professional Development, University of Western Ontario, Ontario Risk and Insurance Managers Society, and the Insurance Institute of Ontario. LLB, University of New Brunswick; called to the Bar of Ontario, 1997.
W. Colin Empke
Subrata Bhattacharjee
(416) 367-6371 sbhattacharjee@blg.com Subrata Bhattacharjee is a partner at BLG, national chair of the Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, and national business leader of the Corporate Commercial Group. He practices competition/antitrust law and foreign investment law and also provides strategic Canadian regulatory advice to major global clients, particularly in the technology and media sectors. Subrata has served as an officer of the ABA Section of Antitrust Law and as a member of Council and has held other leadership positions in the ABA, CBA, and other entities. Appointed non-governmental advisor of the International Competition Network by the Competition Bureau. Routinely ranked by major domestic and international directories as one of Canada’s leading competition lawyers. He obtained his LLB from Dalhousie University and was a Fox Scholar at Middle Temple, UK.
Randall W. Block, KC
(403) 232-9572 rblock@blg.com Specializes in all forms of dispute resolution in the energy and oil & gas industries, including regulatory proceedings, commercial litigation and arbitration. Has appeared before the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, Alberta Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Canada, Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Energy Regulator, Canadian Energy Regulator and various arbitral panels. Has also sat as an arbitrator. Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Has written and lectured on various issues in oil and gas law, and major energy and oil sand project development. Emphasis on regulatory proceedings, corporate/commercial litigation, and arbitration related to energy and corporate/commercial disputes. Recognized in Chambers Canada for Litigation: General Commercial (Alberta) and Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory). Recognized as Energy/Resources Litigator of the Year 2013 by Benchmark Canada. Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada and was named as Calgary Lawyer of the Year for Administrative and Public Law (2021), Corporate and Commercial Litigation (2019), Energy Regulatory Law (2018), Oil and Gas Law (2017), and Bet-the-Company Litigation (2013). Appointed KC in 2005. Called to the Alberta Bar in 1985.
Rebecca L. Bush
(416) 367-6162 rbush@blg.com Rebecca is a Partner and the National Business Leader of the Insurance & Tort Liability Group. Her practice focuses on public authority litigation and complex tort litigation for large institutional clients. She has specialized expertise in crisis management, sexual violence investigations, incident response and defence. Rebecca has extensive expertise in the education sector advising and representing school boards and independent schools in respect of bullying, violence and harassment complaints and claims. In the higher education sector, Rebecca provides advice to and represents universities and colleges in respect of crisis management and allegations of sexual violence. She also has extensive experience acting as a trusted advisor to municipalities and representing them in all manner of claims, including claims against emergency services. Rebecca frequently provides advice on sensitive matters which are the subject of public and media scrutiny. She defends the reputational interests of her clients in policy and precedent setting cases. Chair of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association. Education: BA (University of Toronto); LLB (University of Windsor). Admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2002.
Brad W. Dixon
(604) 640-4111 bdixon@blg.com Brad is recognized nationally as a leading counsel in class action defence and complex commercial litigation matters. He co-chairs the firm's Class Actions Group, providing strategic direction and coordination. He has successfully defended class actions against leading Canadian corporations and financial institutions, as well as multinational corporations, achieving precedent-setting results. His primary practice is before British Columbia courts, but he has also defended class proceedings in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Brad has obtained dismissal of class actions before certification, obtained dismissal of certification applications, and taken class actions to common issues trials. His practice includes considerable appellate experience. He has dealt with consumer and statutory claims, product liability, and competition law claims. His experience includes litigation of commercial and constitutional or other public law issues. Brad is a frequent speaker at conferences on class action defence or litigation, generally. He has been recognized many times by peers as leading counsel in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, The Best Lawyers in Canada (as "Lawyer of the Year: Class Action Litigation – Vancouver"), Chambers Canada, and Benchmark Canada.
Blair A. Rebane
(604) 640-4130 brebane@blg.com Blair Rebane is a partner in the BLG Vancouver office and the National Leader of the Franchise and Distribution Group. He has experience advising franchisors in all types of franchise matters. Blair’s practice also focuses on the area of contract law, with an emphasis on landlord/tenant matters, construction disputes, and creditors’ remedies. His clients include Canada’s largest franchisors, manufacturers, landlords, and those involved at all levels of the construction industry. Blair has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court of Canada on franchise, construction, and landlord/tenant matters. In addition, Blair has taught, published, and presented extensively on franchise law. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for Franchise Law (since 2008) and Corporate and Commercial Litigation (since 2013), the editions of Chambers Canada (Franchising – Nationwide) since 2017. Blair was also named Vancouver Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in Canada (2021, 2019, 2017, and 2013).
David Di Paolo
(416) 367-6108 ddipaolo@blg.com David is the National Group Head of BLG’s Disputes Group and a leading commercial litigator who specializes in securities litigation, class actions and shareholder disputes. David regularly acts for market participants in defending securities class actions, as well as securities regulatory investigations and proceedings. His class action practice is broad and includes securities, commercial, and employment class actions defence work. David has appeared before all levels of court including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. David has also appeared before securities regulatory tribunals such as the Ontario Securities Commission, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada, and other securities industry regulatory bodies across Canada. David also acts in all manner of commercial litigation including shareholder disputes, oppression remedy proceedings, and general corporate and commercial litigation. He is recognized since 2019 in Chambers Canada, as well as in Benchmark Canada, and The Best Lawyers in Canada. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998.
David Elman
(416) 367-6031 delman@blg.com David Elman is a partner in BLG’s Toronto office. He focuses on class actions and the defence of complex torts and commercial litigation. He specializes in cases alleging breach of consumer protection legislation, product liability, negligence, breach of contract and public authority liability. David acts on behalf of large institutional clients, including financial institutions, telecom companies, municipalities, police services, manufacturers, educational institutions, and insurers. He regularly appears on motions and appeals before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal. David provides counsel on sensitive and high-profile issues to manage reputational risks and concerns. He also represents clients in mediation and arbitration. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Product Liability Law). Awarded the Blake Cassels Graydon LLP prize in Business Organizations. Awarded the Catherine Helen McLean Prize in Labour Law. Osgoode Society Prize for Canadian Legal History. Education: LLB, University of Ottawa, 2006. Admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2007.
Robert J.C. Deane
(604) 640-4250 rdeane@blg.com Rob is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading counsel in commercial litigation, international and domestic commercial arbitration, privacy, and intellectual property litigation, among other areas. As litigation counsel, Rob has litigated complex cases throughout Canada and at all levels of court, in diverse areas such as contractual disputes, arbitration-related litigation including appeals, mining disputes, life sciences and other intellectual property disputes, consumer class actions, sponsorship and advertising disputes, shareholder disputes, securities regulation, information and privacy law, and administrative law. Rob has also appeared in significant arbitration proceedings in North America, Asia, and Europe, under almost all major institutional sets of rules, in a wide array of industry sectors. After graduating from the University of Victoria as the Law Society of British Columbia Gold Medalist in 1998, Rob served as a law clerk to the Honorable Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada. Rob has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers, and Benchmark Canada, including as "Arbitration Lawyer of the Year."
Gilbert Hourani
(514) 954-3101 ghourani@blg.com Partner in Insurance & Tort Liability Group of BLG’s Montréal office. Provides litigation defence services to Canadian and foreign insurers carrying on business in Canada and in the US Practice focuses on professional liability of general and specialized contractors and engineering firms. Represents public and private entities of all sizes and brings specialized knowledge with respect to insurance defence and risk management for professional and financial indemnity and general line programs underwritten in Canada. Often called upon to speak at conferences and actively engages within industry, particularly as a member of the Barreau du Québec. Academic Associate, Insurance Law course, McGill University Faculty of Law. Winner at Client Choice Awards and recognized for exceptional service in Insurance category in Québec. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Insurance Law). Education: LLB (Université de Montréal). Admitted to the Québec Bar in 1994.
Patrick Heinsen, KC
(403) 232-9794 pheinsen@blg.com Patrick is a partner and regional group manager of Specialized Litigation in BLG’s Calgary office. Patrick has extensive experience in professional negligence defence and has particular expertise handling claims against architects, engineers, project consultants and locating/surveying professionals. Patrick has also successfully defended insurers, insurance brokers, MGAs, real estate agents, health care professionals, medical product manufacturers, and commercial hosts. He has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and has successfully conducted matters in courts of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Federal Court of Canada. Patrick is a member of the CBA's Construction, Insurance and Alternative Dispute Resolution subsections. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Law), (Insurance Law), and (Construction Law). Also recognized in Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation, and in Benchmark Canada (Litigation Star). Called to the Alberta Bar in 2001.
François Grondin
(514) 954-3153 fgrondin@blg.com François is a partner in BLG's Commercial Litigation Group in Montréal. He regularly pleads before the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal of Québec as a seasoned and versatile litigation lawyer. His main areas of practice are civil and commercial litigation (complex litigation matters), class actions, professional liability (civil and disciplinary), and defamation. François also has significant experience in constitutional and administrative law litigation and commissions of inquiry (Gomery, Oliphant, Chamberland), as well as in professional law, including judicial ethics. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Class Action Litigation. He has also been recognized by Chambers Canada for Litigation: General Commercial in Québec, and by Benchmark Canada as a "Local Litigation Star: Québec" and "Litigation Star: General Commercial, Professional Liability". Called to the Québec Bar in 1991.
Lawrence A. Elliot
(613) 237-5160 lelliot@blg.com BLG Ottawa’s regional managing partner and a member of the National Management Committee, Larry is a civil litigator who practises in many areas of civil litigation, with an emphasis on insurance/personal injury law, product recalls and regulatory matters, product liability, stockbroker negligence, access to information, commercial litigation, and administrative law. He has made appearances as counsel in all courts in the province of Ontario and the Federal Court of Canada. National leader of BLG’s Insurance and Tort Law Group (2010–2020), as well as regional coordinator of BLG’s Product Liability Professional Group and Securities Litigation Focus Group. Former member of BLG’s Partnership Board and former leader of BLG’s Ottawa Litigation Department (2005–2010). Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2010) of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation). Also recognized as the "Insurance Litigator of the Year" by Benchmark Canada at the 2018 awards. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1996.
Kevin A. McGivney
(416) 367-6118 kmcgivney@blg.com Kevin McGivney is the Toronto regional leader of BLG's Insurance and Tort Liability Group. He is an elected member of BLG's Partnership Board. Kevin practises civil litigation with a focus on municipal and police liability. Has appeared as lead counsel before the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and the Supreme Court of Canada. He represents municipalities, police services, and their insurers with respect to all types of liability claims including defamation and class actions. Kevin also represents municipalities and police services at coroner's inquests and before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and advises insurers and defends insureds regarding property and casualty claims, the drafting of insurance policies, and coverage issues. He is a frequent writer and speaker on issues related to municipal and government liability, police liability, occupiers' liability, and advocacy issues. Kevin received an LLB from Western University, Faculty of Law. Bachelor of Arts (History), King's University College of Western University. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1991.
Ian C. Matthews
(416) 367-6723 imatthews@blg.com Ian is a business litigator focused on complex commercial and appellate disputes. He has extensive experience acting in class action proceedings, including on diverse claims ranging from unpaid overtime to foreign currency exchange issues in Canada and the United States. Ian has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. He is also a member of the executive of the Class Action Section of the Ontario Bar Association. A former Supreme Court of Canada law clerk, Ian was called to the Ontario Bar in 2008, admitted to practise in New York in 2011, and holds law degrees from the University of Windsor and Harvard Law School.
Nadia Effendi
(416) 367-6728 neffendi@blg.com Nadia is a regional group manager in Toronto and Ottawa. She represents clients in complex and often high-profile proceedings. She regularly appears before all levels of federal and provincial courts, administrative tribunals, and commissions of inquiry and has represented several clients before the Supreme Court, including the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and York University. She was Lead Counsel for the Honourable Louise Arbour appointed to carry out a review into the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence, in response to reports of harassment and sexual misconduct. She is also Counsel for the Honourable Thomas Cromwell appointed to carry out a governance review of Hockey Canada. Nadia was Litigator of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Law Awards and one of Benchmark's Top 100 Women in Litigation. Nadia was also recognized in 2023 edition of the Chambers Canada, Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business. She regularly publishes and speaks on topics in administrative law and appellate advocacy. Her memberships include the CBA Federal Courts Bench, The Advocates’ Society Appellate Advocacy Practice Group, and the board of the Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario.
Guy J. Pratte
(416) 700-6265 gpratte@blg.com Guy focuses his practice on complex litigation including commercial law, class actions, administrative law, and constitutional law. Fully bilingual and called to the Bars of Ontario and Québec, Guy has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada in approximately 25 cases, and is likely if not the only counsel in Canada that regularly argues cases involving civil law and common law matters. Guy pleads regularly in the Superior and Appeal Courts of Ontario and Québec, as well as the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, former president of The Advocates' Society, and a director of the Supreme Court of Canada Advocacy Institute. He taught courses focused on the Supreme Court of Canada at the University of Toronto as an adjunct professor. He is a recipient of the Law Society of Ontario medal and of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation. He is also highly recognized in various industry directories, including Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution), The Best Lawyers in Canada, and Who's Who Legal. Guy was named Advocatus Emeritus by the Québec Bar for "outstanding contributions to the legal profession." Guy has held several management positions at BLG and is currently Chair Emeritus of BLG.
Hugh A. Meighen
(416) 367-6614 hmeighen@blg.com Hugh Meighen is a Partner in Commercial Litigation Group and Construction Group of BLG’s Toronto office, specializing in international disputes, including international commercial, investment, and construction arbitration and international litigation in a range of industry sectors. With over ten years of dedicated arbitration counsel work, Hugh has advised a range of Canadian and international companies in disputes governed by the arbitration rules of the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ICDR, BCICAC, and DIAC. He co-authored the Guide to the PCA Arbitration Rules (Oxford University Press, 2014). He is an adjunct Professor of international commercial arbitration at Osgoode Hall Law School. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Who’s Who Legal recognized Hugh as a Global Leader in Arbitration, as a Future Leader in Arbitration, and named him one of ten Most Highly Regarded Partners Under 45 in the Americas. Education: AB cum laude (Princeton University); BCL/LLB (McGill University). Admitted to Ontario Bar in 2010 and New York Bar in 2011.
Sarah McEachern
(604) 632-3471 smceachern@blg.com Sarah McEachern is a Partner and is the Regional Manager of commercial and construction disputes in BLG's Vancouver office. Sarah practises all aspects of commercial arbitration, from the initial stage of drafting the arbitration clause in a contract, to obtaining interim court orders, to arbitration preparation, through to the final stages of appearing before the arbitration tribunal as counsel and applying to have arbitral awards enforced in court. Sarah has expertise in both domestic and international disputes and has acted or advised on proceedings under the rules of the ICC, ICDR, AAA, SCC, HKIAC and BCICAC (now VanIAC). She was selected as one of 12 arbitrators to sit on the inaugural roster of Arbitration Place's NextGen Arbitrators. In 2021 the Government of British Columbia appointed Sarah to serve a five-year term as a roster member for BC's Bid Protest Mechanism and Dispute Resolution panels, established under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement and the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Sarah is recognized in Chambers Canada (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration), the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Commercial Arbitration), and Benchmark Canada as a Litigation Star.
Michelle Maniago
(604) 687-5744 mmaniago@blg.com Michelle is a partner in BLG's Vancouver office. She has significant experience with highly complex commercial, banking and corporate litigation and arbitration across a range of industries and legal subject matters. Her practice includes defence of high-profile provincial, national and multi-jurisdictional class actions involving credit card insurance products, foreign exchange transaction costs, Ponzi schemes, mutual fund related management fees, alleged defective products, environmental claims, consumer protection claims, privacy breaches, and price-fixing claims. Michelle also has specialized knowledge in a variety of areas, including: competition law, advertising, price-fixing, bid-rigging, consumer protection, banking, corporate governance, plans of arrangement and privacy law. Recognized in the 2022 edition of Benchmark Litigation's Top 100 Women in Canada. Recognized for six consecutive years in the Benchmark Litigation's 40 and Under Hotlist. Recognized in 2022 as a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40. Recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. Called to the British Columbia Bar in 2008.
Robert L. Love
(416) 367-6132 rlove@blg.com Senior partner within BLG’s Disputes Practice, Bob Love leads the national Product Liability, Autonomous Vehicles, and Automotive Industry Groups in addition to effectively defending clients against claims and resolving disputes. His expertise includes product liability, aviation, subrogation, insurance defence, and municipal and professional liability. Bob has represented a wide array of clients – from insurers to small and global entities – and has appeared as lead counsel at all levels of the trial and appellate courts of Ontario. He is known for his abilities to simplify complex, technical matters and render them more easily understood, critically and accurately assess damages, and finding pragmatic, innovative approaches to resolution. In addition to advocacy, Bob has also been instrumental in advising clients on risk mitigation. Called to the Bar in 1994, Bob is active within the legal industry and within the community. He is the former Vice Chair of the Product Liability Committee for the International Association of Defense Attorneys and previously held the role of Chair for the Product Liability Committee, Canadian Defence Lawyers’ Association. Bob regularly speaks at conferences and has authored many articles and publications, most recently on CAVs, including MaaS.
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(416) 367-6015 dsmith@blg.com Doug is a Partner in the Disputes Group of BLG’s Toronto office. His civil litigation practice includes governmental and police liability, banking insurance litigation, product liability, administrative and regulatory law, and health law. His commercial litigation practice covers contract disputes, commercial insolvency, priority disputes, and general bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Has acted as counsel at more than 25 trials before the Superior Court of Justice and Federal Court of Canada on issues such as police liability, products liability, and Crown liability. He also has extensive experience before appellate courts, including the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Divisional Court, and Federal Court of Appeal. Doug is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Insurance Law; Personal Injury Law). Education: BSc (McMaster University); LLB (Queen’s University). Admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1995.
Douglas O. Smith
(416) 367-6664 gpratte@blg.com Glenn Zakaib practises in the area of commercial litigation with a focus on product liability and class proceedings. Glenn is the national co-chair of the Class Actions Group, providing strategic direction and coordination of the group across Canada. He is highly active with the Defence Research Institute (DRI) where he has held numerous positions and most recently has been a member of the DRI Law Institute, which oversees all educational seminars for the organization. Glenn is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. He is recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal. Glenn was called to the Ontario Bar in 1983. He believes strongly in his client-oriented approach to law.
Glenn M. Zakaib
(416) 367-6354 gwray@blg.com George brings deep understanding of risk and regulatory concerns for designers, manufacturers, importers and distributors of products across various industry sectors. From automobiles to consumer and industrial products and software, BLG's clients trust George's practical approach to litigation to handle the most complex and challenging of cases. His business-orientated approach to helping clients navigate risks relating to their products goes beyond litigation, and includes strategic advice regarding product warnings, labelling, advertising, as well as safety issues and recalls, including regulatory concerns and investigations and proceedings by statutory and regulatory bodies. George also defends architects and engineers in various construction related claims. He regularly defends municipalities in infrastructure related claims, including roadway design and maintenance. A recognized thought-leader and speaker on topics at the intersection of product development and safety, technology, innovation, business and law, George's curiosity and expertise gives BLG's clients an edge. His "what's next" approach to the law and risk management provides his clients with creative forward-thinking advice helping them to avoid and so
George R. Wray
(416) 367-6750 doconnor@blg.com Senior counsel in the Toronto office of BLG. Member of Arbitration Place, Toronto. Sat on the Court of Appeal for Ontario from 1998 to 2012. Served as the Associate Chief Justice of Ontario from 2001 until he retired at the end of 2012. While on the bench, Mr. O’Connor wrote numerous judgments dealing with a wide variety of issues including public, criminal, commercial, securities, and insurance law. Also conducted two successful public inquiries: the Walkerton Inquiry (2000–2002) and the Maher Arar Inquiry (2004–2006). Prior to his appointment at the Court of Appeal, Mr. O’Connor was senior counsel at Borden & Elliot (a predecessor firm of BLG) for 18 years. His practice focused on commercial and public law litigation. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and is appointed to the Order of Ontario. Chair of Pro Bono Canada. Member of the Board of Directors of the Innocence Canada Foundation. Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Obtained LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1964 and called to the Ontario Bar in 1966. Appointed King’s Counsel in 1980. He is the recipient of several honorary doctorates and awards.
Dennis R. O'Connor, KC
(416) 367-6572 lwagner@blg.com Laura’s practice encompasses a broad range of complex commercial and civil litigation. She has experience in all stages of the litigation process, from preliminary motions and injunctions through trial and appeals. Laura advises and represents clients in a range of matters, including: contractual disputes; commercial leasing, land development and complex construction disputes; professional negligence claims; defamation claims; medical malpractice claims; and hospital privileges matters. Laura has appeared before the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board.
Laura M. Wagner
(416) 367-6554 evila@blg.com Edona is a Partner at BLG's Toronto office. She represents a broad spectrum of clients on regional, national, and international engagements. Her experience includes disputes and regulatory matters throughout Canada and coordinating with other jurisdictions globally. She is an advocate and trusted advisor to national and multinational manufacturers, distributors, retailers, suppliers, distributors, public authorities, and insurers, across a number of industries, including health care and life sciences, automotive, transport, construction and infrastructure. In addition to representing her clients’ interests as litigation counsel in disputes in singleton, class proceedings, and arbitration matters throughout Canada, Edona advises clients on regulatory product compliance matters in relation to consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceutical products, automotive, heavy machinery, as well as regulatory and compliance issues surrounding products embedding features of artificial intelligence and internet of things.
Edona C. Vila
(416) 367-6438 csainsbury@blg.com Caitlin Sainsbury is the Toronto Head of BLG’s Class Actions Group. She is an experienced litigator with a broad litigation and dispute resolution practice. She frequently represents clients in complex commercial disputes and in competition/antitrust and securities class actions. With extensive securities litigation experience, Cait regularly acts for dealers and individuals in civil and regulatory proceedings, as well as investigations conducted by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada, and the Ontario Securities Commission. Her expertise also extends to representing companies in contested mergers & acquisition transactions and in providing advice in connection with corporate governance issues. Cait is a member of BLG’s Partnership Board, the Firm’s national governing body.
Caitlin Sainsbury
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(604) 640-4178 croine@blg.com Chris is counsel in BLG’s Vancouver office. His practice focuses on Indigenous law. He has extensive experience representing First Nations organizations on a range of partner-ships, commercial arrangements, and governance matters. As the western regional lead for the Indigenous Law Group, Chris works to build strategic and durable relationships between government, industry, and Indigenous organizations. Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Aboriginal Law). Obtained an MA from Simon Fraser University and an LLB from the University of Western Ontario.
Chris Roine
(416) 367-6190 mrodger@blg.com Senior partner and the Toronto regional leader of the Energy Markets Group. Mark specializes in the commercial, regulatory, and government relations components of the electricity and natural gas sectors and regarding water, broadband, and other municipal infrastructure renewal. For over 30 years, he has served as counsel to a range of stakeholders, including municipal, provincial, and national governments; large industrial, institutional, and commercial energy consumers; local electricity distribution & telecommunications companies, water utilities, and their municipal shareholders; transmitters; generators; energy retailers; out-of-province electricity importers; and energy regulators. Mark is a director at EMERA Nova Scotia Power (Halifax) and Chairman of Logistec Corporation (Montreal). For years, Mark has been recognized in Chambers Global (Energy: Power), Legal 500 Canada as one of BLG’s leading lawyers, and in "PLC Which Lawyer?" in the Energy and Natural Resources Multi-Jurisdictional Guide. He has been listed in The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada for his expertise in the electricity field. He was also the recipient of the Energy Bear Award by the Canadian Energy Law Forum for his contributions to the Canadian energy sector.
J. Mark Rodger
(403) 232-9656 aross@blg.com Alan is the regional managing partner of BLG’s Calgary office and Chair of the firm’s US practice. Alan practises administrative and regulatory law, representing energy clients in national and provincial regulatory proceedings. He has expertise in the areas of pipeline transmission, oil and natural gas, renewables (solar and wind), energy transition technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and electricity. Alan has significant experience with regulators in the UK, EU, and the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He has represented clients before the Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Utilities Commission, British Columbia Utilities Commission, Ontario Energy Board, and Canada Energy Regulator. Beyond the energy sector, Alan advises clients on regulatory matters in transportation, technology, and international trade. Alan received a Queen’s Counsel designation in 2020. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and is a current and past board member of, among others, the Canadian-American Business Council, the Western Canada General Counsel Awards, and the Calgary International Film Festival. He is also highly ranked in Chambers and recognized since 2012 in The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Alan L. Ross
(604) 640-4128 dsanders@blg.com Passionate about being an integral team member on infrastructure and other construction projects, including public-private partnerships. Led and advised on legal teams for many projects in health (Fort St John, Surrey Outpatient, Royal Jubilee), transportation (Champlain, Golden Ears, Grimstad, Kicking Horse, Henday, Calgary), education (Alberta and New Brunswick schools), water/wastewater (McLoughlin Point, Britannia, Sooke), and corrections (Okanagan, Nanaimo, Allouette, Surrey Pre-trial) in Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia for public authorities, developers, and design-builders. Frequent author, lecturer, and co-author of Practical Law of Architecture, Engineering and Geoscience (4th ed., Pearson, 2022) and A Practical Guide to Ethics and Professional Practice for Engineers and Geoscientists (Pearson, 2021). Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada in the fields of Construction Law, Project Finance Law, and Public Procurement Law; and recognized in Chambers Canada and Chambers Global. Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. Professional Engineer licensed in Saskatchewan and BC. Called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1990, the BC Bar in 1999, and the Yukon Bar in 2015.
Douglas R. Sanders, PEng
(604) 632-3476 mwaters@blg.com Michael is a partner in the BLG Vancouver office; he practises corporate and securities law with emphasis on corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, investment fund management, and corporate governance. He advises acquirers and targets in friendly and hostile takeover bids and other business combinations. He represents public and private issuers, underwriters, venture capital firms, and institutional investors in financing transactions, including initial public offerings, secondary offerings, private placements, royalty and streaming transactions, and preferred share investments. He also advises Canadian and international investment funds, hedge funds, and investment fund managers. An adjunct professor, he teaches Securities Regulation at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law. Michael is one of the founders of BLG’s Startup & Grow initiative, offering legal solutions tailored to entrepreneurs, startups, and early-stage companies, primarily in the technology sector. He also has considerable expertise in the mining sector. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Venture Capital Law; Venture Capital Law Lawyer of the Year – Vancouver). Education: LLB (Osgoode Hall Law School). Called to the British Columbia Bar in 2008.
Michael Waters
(604) 640-4110 drossi@blg.com Dionysios Rossi is the regional group manager of Specialized Disputes in the BLG Vancouver office. He practises primarily in the areas of shipping & transportation, environmental, and energy law. Dionysios represents and advises clients in transactional, regulatory, and dispute-related matters. He has represented clients before the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, at all levels of court in British Columbia, and before several administrative tribunals. Dionysios frequently speaks and publishes on a variety of legal subjects, in national media outlets, newspapers, trade magazines, and legal publications. He is widely recognized in his areas of practice. He was awarded the highest Martindale-Hubbell designation of AV Preeminent (4.9 out of 5 in client and peer reviews). In addition to The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, he has also been recognized in editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada: Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business, Benchmark Litigation: The definitive guide to litigation firms and attorneys in Canada, and Legal 500.
Dionysios Rossi
(416) 367-6272 rtraves@blg.com Robert (Bob) is a Partner in BLG's Toronto office. Bob practises civil litigation in the areas of major tort and property damage litigation, commercial insurance litigation, professional negligence claims, insurance coverage disputes and municipal liability. His insurance defence practice includes the defence of diverse casualty and property claims, as well as advancing subrogated claims on behalf of insurers. He is an accredited mediator through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution. He also practises major tort and property damage litigation, commercial insurance litigation, professional negligence claims, and personal injury with an emphasis on insurance defence. Bob also has extensive municipal liability expertise. Recognized in the 2022 edition of Lexpert Special Edition – Litigation. He was selected by peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insurance Law. Personal Injury Litigation). He is a frequent speaker, demonstrator and Chair on insurance and personal injury-related topics through Osgoode Professional Development and Insight programs. LLB, University of Ottawa. Ontario Bar, 1985.
Robert W. Traves
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Stéphane Pitre
(514) 954-3147 gmartindale@blg.com Stéphane Pitre is Montréal's regional leader in BLG's Construction Group as well as the Insurance Tort Law Group. He is also a member of the Commercial Litigation Group and Class Actions Group. Stéphane's practice is focused on construction, engineering, sureties, and product liability, particularly in the areas of insurance, civil liability, commercial litigation, and class actions. Stéphane's expertise in the field of construction includes legal hypothecs, surety and bonds, calls for tenders and bids, and other aspects of claims by contractors. He is also experienced in issues relating to private international law. In that capacity, Stéphane has pleaded cases related to the jurisdiction of Québec judicial authorities and before all courts, including the Supreme Court. He is recognized in Benchmark Canada as a Local Litigation Star: Québec and a Litigation Star: Class Action, Commercial, Construction, Product Liability, and Recall. He was also selected by peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition (and since 2013) of The Best Lawyers in Canada. Called to the Québec Bar in 1999.
(613) 787-3741 kcrain@blg.com Kirsten is an experienced trial lawyer. She has conducted trials and hearings across the country. Kirsten’s broad litigation practice includes complex commercial litigation (including class actions and multi-jurisdictional proceedings), intellectual property litigation and professional negligence and administrative law matters. She appears as counsel in the Federal Court of Canada and before the Superior Courts of Ontario and Québec. She has also represented clients in a vast range of administrative law proceedings before national and provincial tribunals and boards, as well as Coroner’s courts. In addition to courtroom advocacy, Kirsten is a trusted advisor to boards and senior leaders. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyer, and director of The Advocates’ Society and the BLG Partnership Board.
Kirsten T. Crain
(604) 640-4221 cchiasson@blg.com Craig Chiasson is a partner in the International Arbitration Group of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Vancouver. He has extensive experience in international and domestic arbitration, including investor-state disputes, as counsel and arbitrator. His arbitration experience includes cases seated in and governed by substantive laws of many jurisdictions, and in a vast array of industries. Craig is an active member of numerous arbitral institutions and associations, including on Roster of Arbitrators, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the London Court of International Arbitration, the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, including as a listed arbitrator, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration and an advisory member of the Institute of Transnational Arbitration. Craig is also a member of the Vancouver International Arbitration Centre as a rostered arbitrator and is on its Rules Committee. He has also appeared as counsel in UNCITRAL, ICSID, SCC, HKIAC, LCIA, SIAC, and in the British Columbia Appeal Court, Provincial Courts of British Columbia, and Supreme Court of Canada. Craig is recognized by Chambers Global and Canada, Who’s Who Legal, Lexpert, and Benchmark Canada and is Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated.
Craig R. Chiasson
(514) 954-3180 kchenevert@blg.com Partner Karine Chênevert brings her multi-jurisdictional expertise to a broad range of litigation areas including class actions, conflicts between shareholders, governance, competition, securities, privacy, consumer protection, and special remedies such as injunctions. She regularly acts for significant clients in class actions involving securities, allegations of conspiracy, and consumer protection claims. Her commercial litigation practice includes advising clients on highly complex commercial litigation and representing them before civil courts and administrative tribunals and in arbitration proceedings. Karine has extensive experience in governance and advises directors and officers regarding ethical and corporate governance practices. She acts as a trainer in the university certification program in corporate governance offered by the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés. She has participated, as a delegate of the YBAM, in parliamentary commission hearings of the Quebec National Assembly on the Act to Amend the Code of Civil Procedure to prevent improper use of the courts and promote freedom of expression and citizen participation in public debate. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Class Action Litigation.
Karine Chênevert
(403) 232-9765 bwoodhead@blg.com Bill Woodhead is a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, working in the Calgary and Vancouver offices. He practises corporate commercial, construction, and energy law, with an emphasis on procurement and construction law. He acts for clients involved in public-private partnerships, commercial, residential, mixed-use development, and industrial EPC projects. Bill often speaks at industry and legal conferences on all aspects of construction and procurement law. Bill is the founder of the Infrastructure Professionals Association in Calgary.
Bill Woodhead
mswilson@blg.com (403) 232-9505 M. Scott Wilson is a partner in the Calgary office of BLG. Scott practises in securities, corporate financial, and commercial transactions with a special focus on corporate and securities law matters relating to public companies, pooled funds, and investment bankers. These range from venture capital enterprises to senior issuers inter-listed on stock exchanges in Canada and the United States. Over the years, Scott’s practice has evolved to include representation of business organizations in a variety of commercial transactions. Scott is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
M. Scott Wilson
(604) 640-4074 rwilliams@blg.com Rick Williams is a partner in the BLG Vancouver office, national leader of BLG’s Environmental Law Group, and regional leader of the Regulatory and Oil and Gas Groups. Rick represents and advises clients on commercial and regulatory aspects of project development, permitting, and operations in the energy and natural resource sectors, including land, environmental, and Indigenous issues. Rick also represents and advises clients on dispute resolution, including regulatory proceedings, corporate/commercial litigation, and arbitration, with a focus on energy, transportation, forestry, and mining. He is recognized in Chambers Canada and The Best Lawyers in Canada, including being named Vancouver Lawyer of the Year in the 2020 (Oil and Gas Law), 2022 (Environmental Law), and 2024 (Natural Resources Law, Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice, Energy Regulatory, Oil and Gas) editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Rick L. Williams
(416) 367-6730 jvellone@blg.com John is a partner at BLG’s Toronto office and is national leader of the firm’s ESG Initiative. He has an energy and technology law practice encompassing corporate, commercial, and regulatory issues with a focus on Canadian electricity markets and infrastructure revitalization. His clients include provincial and territorial governments, system operators, regulated utilities, developers, investors, and lenders. He provides counsel on corporate, commercial, and regulatory aspects of the electricity and natural gas industries and power project development for a variety of technologies, with a particular expertise in renewables. John represents clients in proceedings before provincial regulatory agencies, primarily the Ontario Energy Board. He is recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2019) of Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Energy – Provincial Regulatory (Nationwide)). Called to the Ontario Bar in 2008.
John A.D. Vellone
jvallis@blg.com (403) 232-9787 Partner and member of BLG’s Construction Group, International Trade and Arbitration Group, and International Construction Projects Group. Jeffrey’s practice is focused on dispute resolution in the construction, engineering, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. He has appeared as counsel at all levels of court in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and the Supreme Court of Canada. Acts as an arbitrator, primarily in construction matters. Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers, the American College of Construction Lawyers, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Member of the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society. Former instructor, University of Calgary Law School Trial Advocacy Program. Recognized in Chambers Global for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and in Chambers Canada for Construction and Dispute Resolution: Arbitration. Recognized in The Legal 500 Canada for Dispute Resolution. Recognized in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 Canada Hall of Fame (Construction). Canada and Alberta winner of Lexology Client Choice Award (Construction). Recognized as 2023 Construction Lawyer of the Year for Calgary by The Best Lawyers in Canada. Called to the Bar: Alberta (1982), Manitoba (2015), and Saskatchewan (2016). Appointed King’s Counsel in 2004.
Jeffrey D. Vallis, KC, FCIArb
Keegan Boyd
(416) 367-6444 keeganboyd@blg.com Keegan Boyd is a partner in BLG’s Toronto office. Keegan defends hospitals, healthcare organizations and professionals against allegations of professional misconduct and negligence in both civil and regulatory contexts. He also represents corporate and individual clients in a broad range of commercial disputes, including contract disputes, product liability claims, mass torts and class actions. Keegan regularly advises clients on matters related to medical devices and technology, regulatory compliance, incident reporting, adverse events, physician credentialing, privacy, disclosure, and risk management. Keegan has acted as lead counsel at all levels of court in Ontario, and has represented clients before other courts, administrative bodies and tribunals, including the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Licence Appeal Tribunal and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Keegan was formerly an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University, teaching the Trial Advocacy course.
(416) 367-6060 ptardif@blg.com Philippe Tardif is a partner in BLG’s Securities and Capital Markets Group in Toronto. Philippe’s practice focuses on corporate finance, with an emphasis on public and private equity and debt financings, including cross-border financings, mergers & acquisitions involving public companies, and corporate governance matters, including board and special committee advisory roles. His industry experience includes energy and mining. He is a member of the Securities Law Committee, International Bar Association. Recognized in The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Finance & Securities), The Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Law, Corporate Governance Practice, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Securities Law), IFLR1000 – The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms (Capital Markets), Lexpert Special Edition – Finance and M&A, and Lexpert Special Edition – Global Mining. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1987.
Philippe Tardif
David Chernos
(416) 855-0402 dchernos@cfscounsel.com David's practice focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on matters involving shareholders’ disputes (including those involving family and other closely held companies), insolvency and corporate restructuring, income tax, directors’, officers’ and professional liability, and insurance coverage disputes. David also has broad experience in complex estates litigation matters, having acted for numerous trustees and beneficiaries, as well as Ontario’s Office of The Children’s Lawyer. He has appeared as lead counsel before the Ontario trial courts, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Tax Court of Canada. Since 2012, David has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading Corporate Commercial Litigation lawyers by The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and in the Lexpert Special Edition – Litigation. Member, The Advocates’ Society and The Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History. Ontario Bar, 1993; JD, 1991, Queen's University; BA (Honours), 1988, University of Toronto.
(416) 855-0403 pflaherty@cfscounsel.com Pat Flaherty is a partner of Chernos Flaherty Svonkin LLP with a practice devoted to complex commercial litigation. He has tried matters in court and in private arbitrations in a wide variety of significant disputes involving securities law, oppression, class actions, directors’ and officers’ liability, civil fraud, civil contempt, public authority liability, information technology, defamation and privacy. Pat represents many clients in the financial services, manufacturing, consumer products, real estate, and mining industries. He has been repeatedly recognized as a leading litigator in Lexpert, Chambers, The Best Lawyers in Canada, and Benchmark Canada. Pat taught for over two decades in Osgoode Hall’s graduate LLM Program and is a frequent speaker and teacher on advocacy. In addition, he has acted as an arbitrator in commercial and other disputes. Ontario Bar, 1993; JD, 1991, Queen's University; BA, 1988, University of Toronto.
Patrick Flaherty
Michael L. Byers
(416) 217-0886 mbyers@cmblaw.ca Michael is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on corporate/commercial, securities and complex employment disputes. In addition to being ranked by Lexpert as a leading securities and corporate commercial litigation lawyer, Michael has been recognized by Chambers as an Up and Coming securities litigator and by Benchmark Litigation as Future Star. Michael’s practice includes contractual and shareholder litigation, commercial arbitration, class actions, insolvency litigation, cross-border issues, professional liability, fraud claims, transactional disputes, and insurance litigation. His securities litigation practice includes investigations and proceedings before the OSC and other securities regulators, investment loss claims, securities class actions, and broker/dealer disputes. Michael has particular experience in employment litigation in the financial services sector and in disputes involving complex financial and damages quantification issues or allegations of cause. Michael has worked with a broad range of corporate and individual clients, with particular experience in disputes in the financial services, securities, mining and natural resources, software and technology, cannabis, cryptocurrency and accounting sectors.
Alistair Crawley
(416) 217-0806 acrawley@cmblaw.ca Alistair is one of Canada’s leading securities and corporate commercial litigation lawyers. He is recognized by Lexpert as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Canada for securities litigation. In 2024, he was named Lawyer of the Year for Securities Law in Toronto by Best Lawyers. Alistair’s practice includes all aspects of litigation and advice involving the capital markets and securities industry, including investigations and enforcement hearings, contested corporate transactions and investment loss claims. He has argued some of Canada’s most significant securities law cases, including the leading case on timely disclosure in the context of merger and acquisition transactions. He has extensive experience as defence counsel in regulatory and quasi-criminal investigations concerning public disclosure, registration, insider trading, fraud, and other forms of alleged market malfeasance. His corporate litigation practice involves contested corporate transactions and shareholder meetings, corporate governance and directors’ & officers’ liability. Alistair’s commercial litigation expertise includes class actions, contract disputes, professional negligence, tort and breach of fiduciary duty claims and complex insurance coverage disputes.
(416) 217-0853 lfuerst@cmblaw.ca Linda is one of Canada’s leading securities and commercial litigators, ranked in Band 1 for Securities Litigation by Chambers and as one of the Top 500 Lawyers in Canada by Lexpert. In 2023, Linda was named “Securities Litigator of the Year” by Benchmark and inducted into its Hall of Fame. She is also recognized by Benchmark as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation. Linda's litigation practice covers a broad range of commercial and professional liability matters, with a focus on securities litigation, class proceedings and regulatory issues including multijurisdictional litigation and investigations. She has litigated civil, criminal and regulatory matters and appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and represented clients in connection with investigations and proceedings by the Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia securities commissions, CIRO, the SEC and CFTC. She has also directed internal investigations into matters including possible insider trading and backdating of stock options, manipulative trading and misconduct by senior executives of public and private corporations, including the payment and receipt of secret commissions and kickbacks.
Linda L. Fuerst
(416) 217-0840 mmackewn@cmblaw.ca Melissa has been widely recognized within the profession as one of Canada's leading litigators. In addition to being ranked one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada by Lexpert, Benchmark Litigation has named her one of the Top Women in Litigation since 2017. Best Lawyers has twice named her Lawyer of the Year for Securities Law in Toronto and, based on peer review, ranks her as part of a small and prestigious group of "bet the company" litigation counsel. She is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Canada for Securities Litigation. Melissa has one of the deepest and most robust securities litigation practices in the country. She advises investors, registrants, issuers, officers, directors, underwriters, and corporations on a variety of securities matters. She has extensive experience with securities class actions, corporate and shareholder disputes, oppression remedy matters, proxy battles, takeover bid litigation, corporate governance matters and investment loss claims. Melissa is also regularly retained by public and private companies and their audit and special committees to conduct confidential internal investigations in respect of whistleblower complaints, disclosure, controls and reporting issues, trading and compliance issues, and matters engaging conflicts of interest.
Melissa J. MacKewn
(416) 217-0850 kmcgrann@cmblaw.ca Kate delivers pragmatic, strategic counsel on complex corporate/commercial, securities, administrative and public law issues. Representing clients in a variety of civil disputes, arbitrations, and regulatory proceedings, she is ranked by Lexpert, Chambers, Benchmark, and Best Lawyers, and was honored with the Lexpert Rising Star Award in 2021. Kate has extensive experience before regulatory tribunals including the Capital Markets Tribunal and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. Having prosecuted cases of unregistered trading, illegal distributions, and fraud while seconded as OSC Senior Enforcement Counsel, Kate’s securities advocacy is informed by her experience working on both sides of regulatory enforcement matters. With proven expertise in public inquiries, Kate has worked on high-profile commissions instituted by all three levels of government. Kate served as lead Commission Counsel on the Collingwood Judicial Inquiry, and co-Lead Commission Counsel on the Ontario COVID-19 Long-Term Care Commission and the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Commission. She is currently Commission Counsel to the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions.
Kate M. McGrann
(416) 217-0822 rbrush@cmblaw.ca Robert is one of Canada's leading securities and corporate commercial litigation lawyers. He is ranked by Lexpert as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. In 2020, Robert was named Securities Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Litigation. He is also recognized as a leader in the fields of securities litigation and commercial litigation by Chambers Canada and Best Lawyers. Robert regularly represents public companies, investment dealers, officers, directors, shareholders, investment advisors, and investors in the myriad disputes that can arise in the capital markets. His litigation practice includes disputes arising out of mergers & acquisitions, class actions, proceedings before securities regulators, directors' and officers' liability claims, shareholder and corporate governance disputes, oppression remedy matters, takeover bid litigation, negligence claims against investment advisors and dealers, cyber-fraud investigations and claims in the financial sector, breach of contract suits, business tort claims, professional negligence suits, and wrongful dismissal claims involving the financial sector.
Robert J. Brush
(514) 878-4311 jmfecteau@dgclex.com Jonathan M. Fecteau is head of the Real Estate Law Group and the Municipal Law team. His practice focuses on expropriation, property assessment and municipal regulations (zoning, subdivision, construction, nuisance, and urban planning). In expropriation and property assessment matters, he exclusively represents individuals and businesses claiming fair compensation for expropriation damages or seeking a fair assessment for the property they own or occupy. He also oversees the execution of mandates contesting the legality of regulations and ultra vires actions taken by municipal authorities and seeks damages and appropriate remedies in cases of disguised expropriation and legitimate expectations. Within the framework of the Act respecting land use planning and development and other municipal regulations, Jonathan M. Fecteau assists real estate promoters, developers and builders in all essential phases of their projects, including property acquisition and protocol agreement negotiation with public authorities. He also helps them obtain authorizations from the Ministère de l’Environnement, the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec and local and regional municipalities. Jonathan M. Fecteau appears regularly before the courts and administrative tribunals of Canada.
(514) 393-8362 olfournier@deloittelegal.ca Olivier is the National Leader of Deloitte Legal, and also leads the Tax Controversy and Litigation Practice. He practises tax law with a focus on tax litigation and tax controversy, from the audit and objection stages to tax appeals before the courts. He regularly assists clients in resolving tax disputes, both in and out of Court, and engages in managing complex tax audits, rectifying non-compliance issues and ensuring that the tax authorities operate within lawful parameters regarding requests for information and documents. He also has had significant exposure to various tax issues arising in domestic and international mergers & acquisitions. He has acted in matters before the Tax Court of Canada, the Court of Quebec, the Superior Court of Quebec, the Court of Appeal of Quebec, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. He is an active speaker, writer and presenter at various conferences and seminars and is a past governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation (CTF). Olivier was called to the Bar of Quebec in 2006, after receiving an MBA from the University of Ottawa (2005), and an LLL (2005) magna cum laude and a BSc (Biology; 2002) from the University of Ottawa. He was also admitted to the Law Society of Ontario in 2021.
Brian J.E. Brock, KC
(416) 593-4411 bbrock@duttonbrock.com Brian J.E. Brock, KC, is certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation (LSO), was a Professor (Adjunct) at York University for 12 years, and is a Fellow of the ACTL. He has taught trial practice at the Bar Admission Course and Medicine and the Law (Osgoode Hall). He was an original and long-time member of the Senior Regional Judges Bench & Bar Committee, past director of The Advocates’ Society, and Past President of County of York Law Association and Medico-Legal Society of Toronto. He is noted by Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada as a leading practitioner in Commercial Insurance, Professional Liability, Products Liability, and Personal Injury. He is listed in The Legal Media Group Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers and the Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers. He was the first recipient of the Medico-Legal Society’s Award for Distinguished Service. Admitted to the Bar after receiving his BA from the University of Western Ontario and his LLB from Osgoode Hall. He was appointed as KC in 1981. He is a founder and senior partner at Dutton Brock LLP, one of Canada’s Leading Insurance Law Firms. He has argued at the Supreme Court of Canada on products liability, complex insurance issues, property damage, and conflict of law cases.
(416) 593-4411 ptushinski@duttonbrock.com Paul Tushinski was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1985 and graduated from the University of Windsor, Dean’s Honour List. Paul is a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation as conferred by the Law Society of Ontario. He is also a mediator. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada, and Lexpert as a Most Frequently Recommended practitioner in both Litigation – Commercial Insurance and Personal Injury. He was named Lawyer of the Year 2020 by The Best Lawyers in Canada. His practice is in the area of defence with emphasis on products liability, class proceedings, environmental claims, construction, complex insurance matters including coverage and property disputes, as well as general liability. He is the 2016 recipient of the Lee Samis award by CDL and the 2016 OTLA Award. He is past president of the Toronto Lawyers Association, a founding member and past president of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, and a past director of The Advocates’ Society. He is a member of the Toronto Lawyers Association, Canadian Bar Association, Medico-Legal Society, The Advocates’ Society, and Canadian Defence Lawyers Association.
Paul Tushinski
(416) 593-4411 psamworth@duttonbrock.com Philippa G. Samworth is a partner at Dutton Brock and her area of practice is in insurance defence (Accident Benefits), as well as providing Mediation and Arbitration services. Miss Samworth has a number of achievements and was retained by the Ministry of Finance of Ontario as a consultant to provide analysis and technical advice to the Ministry on its preparation and drafting of the new automobile insurance legislation, Bill 59, and its regulations. In May 1997, Philippa was appointed to the Minister’s Committee for Designated Assessment Centres and chaired that Committee in 1998, 2000 and 2001–2004. In March 2004, Ms. Samworth was again retained by the Minister of Finance to conduct stakeholder consultations and provide advice and recommendation on proposals to replace the DAC system. Philippa is the recipient of numerous awards, including: first recipient of the Lee Samis Award for Excellence (Canadian Defence Lawyers); first recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award for Excellence in Insurance Law; the Medico-Legal Society Award; and The Advocates' Society Medal. In October 2007, Philippa was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and, in 2020, she was inducted into the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (www.mediators.ca).
Philippa G. Samworth
Ludmila B. Herbst, KC
(604) 661-1722 lherbst@farris.com Partner Ludmila Herbst, KC, is a leading litigator in corporate, commercial, regulatory and constitutional cases. She has represented clients before all levels of court in BC, the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as arbitral and administrative tribunals including the BC Utilities Commission. She co-authored Commercial Arbitration in Canada: A Guide to Domestic and International Arbitrations, which is a leading text cited by trial and appellate courts across Canada. She has written many articles, has presented at and chaired numerous conferences, and is the long-time assistant editor of The Advocate, which is distributed six times per year to BC lawyers and subscribers beyond. She also chairs The Advocates’ Society B.C. Regional Advisory Committee, and has participated on varied subcommittees. She has been a member of advisory groups including on reform to the provincial Limitation Act and Arbitration Act. She is ranked highly by Best Lawyers 2025, Chambers Canada 2025, and Benchmark Canada 2024 (including as one of its top women in litigation nationwide). Admitted to the British Columbia Bar (1999). Appointed Queen's Counsel (now King’s Counsel) (2015).
(604) 661-9372 randerson@farris.com Robert Anderson, KC practises as a general counsel with a practice representing clients both in court and alternative forums such as arbitration and mediation. He regularly appears on matters across various areas of law, including securities, corporate, commercial, class actions, media, administrative, estate matters, environmental, constitutional, public and white-collar criminal matters. Mr. Anderson has appeared at all levels of court in BC, as well as the Federal Court and Court of Appeal, the Tax Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has served as an Adjunct Professor and instructor at the Allard Law School; editor of Introducing Evidence at Trial: A British Columbia Handbook (Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia); and has presented on a variety of topics at numerous legal conferences. Mr. Anderson has received multiple recognitions throughout his career, and has been repeatedly listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada from 2011–2025 (including twice as "Lawyer of the Year" for Defamation and Media Law), Lexpert Leading Lawyers in Canada from 2014–2024 (including as a Leading Cross-Border Litigation Lawyer), and as a Benchmark Canada Litigation Star from 2012–2024. He is also ranked by both Chambers Canada and Martindale-Hubbell (Distinguished).
Robert S. Anderson, KC
(416) 838-9605 gillian@gillianandco.ca Founder & principal of Gillian Hnatiw & Co., a feminist litigation firm in Toronto. Maintains broad civil litigation practice but is particularly renown for her expertise in areas of sexual abuse, harassment & discrimination. Frequently navigates sensitive, complex matters on behalf of individuals & organizations. Advises institutions & regulators on best practices for navigating sexual misconduct allegations. Conducts third-party investigations for employers, post-secondary institutions & healthcare organizations. Has made numerous appearances before all levels of court across the country, incl. the Supreme Court of Canada, a variety of administrative tribunals, & counsel at several Coroner’s Inquests. Leant her expertise in gender-based violence to Nova Scotia’s Mass Casualty Commission, where she served as Senior Commission Counsel (2021-2023). Past Chair of Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF). Ranked in Lexpert, Best Lawyers & Benchmark Legal for her expertise in a range of legal areas, incl. administrative law, personal injury, employment law, corporate commercial litigation & medical malpractice. Past recipient of the Honsberger Award (2020). Former Lexpert Rising Star (2015). Named to Benchmark Legal’s annual list of Top 100 Women Litigators in Canada since 2022.
(416) 505-8610 duncanglaholt@glaholtadr.com Duncan W. Glaholt, CArb, is the principal of Glaholt ADR Inc., a provider of independent mediation and arbitration services to the construction industry. Duncan has practiced construction law since his call to the Bar in 1979, assisting in the resolution of disputes in the energy, transportation, infrastructure, and resource industries, both nationally and internationally. Duncan is active in the reform of construction legislation. He has recently completed Ontario’s 2024 Ontario Construction Act Review. Duncan has specialized in the mediation and arbitration of construction and infrastructure disputes since 2004. Duncan chairs dispute review, dispute avoidance, and combined dispute boards. He is the author, co-author, and editor of several standard reference books on construction law and alternative dispute resolution including, most recently, Construction Dispute Mediation: Theory and Practice, Lexis-Nexis 2024. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, a recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Construction Law, and a recipient of the Toronto Construction Association lifetime achievement award.
(604) 891-2403 chunter@litigationchambers.com Claire Hunter, K.C. is an experienced litigator with a broad civil litigation, public and administrative law and appellate practice. She regularly represents clients at all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada, handling complex commercial matters, class actions and high-profile constitutional trials and appeals. She is recognized by the major guides as a leading lawyer in commercial litigation and public law. Claire was named a Lexpert Leading Lawyer Under 40 in 2017 and a Gold Winner for Woman of the Year at Lexpert’s Canadian Law Awards in 2020. Prior to joining Hunter Litigation Chambers, Claire practiced with Sullivan & Cromwell in New York. A graduate of McGill, Stanford and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Claire spent a year as law clerk to Justice Iacobucci of the Supreme Court of Canada before commencing her practice in New York. She has been a member of the New York State bar since 2004 and was called to the British Columbia bar in 2010. Claire is a governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia and a former chair of Access Pro Bono and has received multiple awards for her contributions to pro bono work. Claire was appointed King’s Counsel in 2018 and inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2022
Claire Hunter, KC
William J. Kenny, KC
(780) 752-1113 wkenny@wjkennylaw.com Practice includes civil and regulatory litigation, construction law, transportation, insurance and corporate commercial law. Bill has written articles and participated in seminars dealing with litigation, construction law, corporate governance and shareholder rights. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, as well as agencies, boards and tribunals, and in arbitrations. Fellow of the ACTL, founding Fellow and former Governor of the CCCL and Fellow of CIArb. Member of the LSA, EBA, Alberta BA, CBA, BANWT. Past chair of the CBA Construction Law Section for northern Alberta. Past director of the Alberta Chamber of Resources. Past member of the LSA Insurance Committee and LSA Audit and Finance Committees and former member of the Board of Directors, Legal Aid Society of Alberta. Admitted to the Alberta Bar, 1974; the Northwest Territories Bar, 1982; the Saskatchewan Bar, 2012; the Manitoba Bar, 2017; and appointed QC, 1994. Bill has been listed as a Martindale-Hubbell AV preeminent rated lawyer for over 20 consecutive years and is consistently listed in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of leading lawyers. Bill has a Chambers and Partners rating and is recognized in Best Lawyers.
Celeste Poltak
(416) 595-2701 cpoltak@kmlaw.ca Partner, former head of the Class Actions Department, and former member of the Firm's Executive Committee. Celeste regularly appears before a variety of provincial courts, including the Court of Appeal, and has acted as counsel on numerous applications for leave to the SCC. She has worked on some of the most notable Canadian cases: Pearson v. Inco, Cloud v. Canada, Dolmage v. Ontario, Millwrights v. Celestica Inc., and Bayens v. Kinross. Her practice has also involved negotiations with the Federal Government regarding the Indian Residential Schools litigation, including the court approvals of that pan-Canadian settlement agreement, the Sixties Scoop, the "Purge" of LGBTQ persons from the military, in addition to acting as counsel at common issues trials such as Anderson v. Canada, Ruffolo v. Sun Life Assurance, and Smith v. Inco. Celeste has been published in the U of T Faculty of Law Review, Canadian Class Actions Review, and Lawyers Weekly. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has lectured on class proceedings at Osgoode Hall Law School and the U of T Faculty of Law. She recently authored a chapter for the textbook Class Actions in Canada. Celeste was also a member of the LCO's Expert Advisory Panel respecting amendments to the Class Proceedings Act.
Jonathan Ptak
(416) 595-2149 jptak@kmlaw.ca Partner. Jonathan's practice focuses on class proceedings and commercial litigation. He is counsel in class actions in a wide variety of areas, including Crown liability, product liability, securities misrepresentation, employment law, public health, pension litigation and other matters. Jonathan has been involved in many landmark cases and some of the largest class action settlements in Canada. For example, he is co-lead counsel in Heyder v. Canada involving alleged sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence. It settled for $900 million, which is one of the largest class action settlements in Canadian history. He was lead counsel in Rosen v. BMO, the first overtime case to be certified on behalf of investment advisors which has since settled. He is lead counsel in Keeping v. HMQ regarding institutional abuse in youth Training Schools. He has been appointed to sit on the Ontario Class Action Bench-Bar Liaison Committee and speaks and publishes regularly on issues related to class actions and commercial litigation. He received his LLB in 2001 from the University of Toronto and his BA Hons in 1996 from McGill University.
(416) 542-6298 jsayce@kmlaw.ca Partner. James’ practice focuses on Plaintiffs' class proceedings. James focuses on matters against government defendants under section 24(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. James is lead counsel in Brazeau v. Canada, where he obtained a $20,000,000 aggregate damages award for a class of mentally ill prisoners pursuant to section 24(1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. James is also lead counsel in the Francis v. Ontario matter where the Court of Appeal for Ontario read down provincial immunity legislation in awarding the class $30,000,000 in aggregate damages for systemic negligence. He is lead counsel in Nasogaluak v. Canada, the first police racism class action to be certified in Canada. He is lead counsel in Carcillo v. CHL et al which concerns allegations of systemic abuse and toxic culture in Canadian major junior hockey. James also litigates products liability claims such as Quenneville v. Volkswagen, in which a multibillion-dollar settlement was reached and Kalra v. Mercedes, which was settled for well over $250 million. He practised class action litigation for Defendants at an international law firm before joining Koskie Minsky in 2014.
James Sayce
(416) 595-2092 kmbaert@kmlaw.ca Kirk is a partner at Koskie Minsky. His practice focuses on class actions. He has been recognized by Lexpert as a leading Canadian practitioner in Class Actions. He has appeared in courts across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada, on matters dealing with class action litigation.
Kirk M. Baert
Rahool Agarwal
(416) 645-1787 ragarwal@lolg.ca Rahool acts for both plaintiffs and defendants on complex commercial and civil litigation. His experience includes class actions, contractual disputes, franchise litigation, shareholder disputes, contested corporate transactions, directors' and officers' liability and complex fraud cases. He is frequently engaged in time-sensitive matters and has extensive experience bringing and defending urgent court proceedings. Rahool has also acted in a broad range of constitutional and public law matters, including cases involving the constitutionality of a safe injection site, the application of state immunity to claims of torture, and the discretion of physicians to unilaterally withdraw life support. He has appeared in trial and appellate courts in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec, and in six cases in the Supreme Court of Canada. He is an active member of the South Asian Bar Association and The Advocates’ Society. He is a regular speaker at professional development programs related to substantive law, legal ethics & practice, and equity, diversity and inclusion. He was previously a member of The Advocates’ Society’s 10+ Committee, the coach of the Lakehead University Wilson Moot team, and a member of the board of directors of the South Asian Legal Clinic (Ontario).
(416) 642-3134 ncampion@lolg.ca Nadia's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation including shareholder oppression applications, D&O liability, estates matters, class actions and professional liability. Nadia also has an active land development and real estate litigation practice. She has extensive trial experience and appears regularly before the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal, and various regulatory and administration tribunals. She has expertise in Toronto Commercial List proceedings and in arbitration and mediation processes. With both US and Canadian law degrees, and being fluent and practising in French, Nadia is capable of dealing with any case that comes across her desk. Nadia has been recognized by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers, and in Chambers Canada for Commercial Litigation. She has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation as one of their Litigation Stars, among Canada’s Top 100 Women in Litigation, and on the 40 and Under Hot List. Nadia is an active author and speaker and regularly presents at the Law Society of Ontario, the OBA, The Advocates’ Society, the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, the CBA, the Business Women’s Network of York Region, the International Association of Defense Counsel and l’Association des juristes d’expression française.
Nadia Campion
(416) 644-5342 awinton@lolg.ca Andrew has been involved in a wide range of commercial matters, with a focus on shareholder disputes, real estate disputes, insolvency and restructuring, and employment matters. He regularly goes to trial and engages in private arbitrations to advance and defend claims on behalf of large corporations, small businesses, and private individuals. Andrew’s real estate litigation practice includes acting in court and in private arbitrations for developers, commercial landlords, and tenants. Andrew acts for parties in insolvency and restructuring matters, including as counsel to the court-appointed Monitor or Receiver, for directors and officers of insolvent corporations, and for other stakeholders. Notable insolvency mandates he has been involved with include Target Canada, Urbancorp, Sears Canada, Tobacco, and the Cresford/Clover on Yonge CCAA proceedings. In addition, Andrew acts for both employers and employees in executive terminations, with a focus on the financial industry, and has significant experience in “departing employee” cases involving unfair competition and misuse of confidential information disputes.
Andrew Winton
(416) 646-7997 bvermeersch@lolg.ca Brad practises complex commercial litigation including high-stakes, multiparty infrastructure litigation, contractual disputes, oppression remedies, class actions and regulatory investigations. Brad is highly skilled at developing a trial strategy and has experience at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as in the courts of Alberta, BC, the Federal Court, domestic and international commercial arbitration, and administrative tribunals. Brad is ranked by leading legal directories including The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Best Lawyers in Canada. He is identified among the most accomplished next generation lawyers and is recognized as a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40. He is also repeatedly named on Benchmark Litigation’s list of 40 & Under top litigators. Brad’s business and financial acumen give him a critical edge in difficult cases that involve sophisticated financial concepts or challenging damages analysis.
Brad Vermeersch
(416) 598-8648 csmith@lolg.ca Crawford's litigation practice focuses on complex corporate and commercial matters, competition and insurance litigation, and administrative law, with substantial class action expertise. Crawford has appeared as counsel in all levels of court in Ontario, in the Supreme Court of Canada, in the Federal Court, in commercial arbitrations, and before a variety of administrative tribunals including the Ontario Energy Board, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Competition Tribunal, and the Environmental Review Tribunal. Crawford's energy practice involves economic issues in multi-party litigation and frequent appearances as counsel before the Energy Board at hearings regarding rate regulation, infrastructure development, and demand-side management. His securities practice includes acting as counsel for investment dealers, mutual fund dealers, registered representatives, and other securities industry participants. He also handles regulatory proceedings and investigations by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Ontario Securities Commission. Crawford is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Crawford G. Smith
(416) 956-5111 aposno@lolg.ca Anne draws on her decades of broad experience in complex commercial litigation, real estate disputes, corporate governance challenges, professional liability matters and medical negligence cases. She also has experience in the areas of human rights and privacy law. Anne’s judgment is respected by her peers, and she is often retained as a mediator to settle disputes. She is a frequent lecturer at trust and estates conferences with the Law Society of Ontario, the Advocates Society and the Ontario Bar Association. Anne is also a trusted mentor to young lawyers. Anne regularly appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Toronto Estates Court, the Toronto Commercial List, the Ontario Court of Appeal and Divisional Court. She is also a certified Associate Member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP).
Anne E. Posno
(416) 645-3789 znaqi@lolg.ca Zain’s practice covers all aspects of business litigation including contract and shareholder disputes, directors' and officers' liability, enforcement of indemnities and guarantees, administrative and regulatory matters, negligence and tort claims, arbitrations, appeals, and injunctions. Zain’s track record includes high-profile appeals and multi-week commercial trials and hearings. He has obtained significant judgments for clients in precedent-setting cases, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court, the Competition Tribunal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition to commercial disputes, Zain has an extensive public law practice. He has advised local and regional municipalities, Aboriginal groups, individuals, Crown corporations, and corporate clients in administrative and constitutional litigation across various industries and regulatory regimes. He has developed considerable expertise in judicial review proceedings before the Divisional Court, obtaining extraordinary remedies against public authorities. Zain is active in the legal community. He is a member of the Civil Rules Review Working Group which is tasked with recommending reforms to Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure to promote greater access to justice.
Zain Naqi
(416) 644-5359 pmichell@lolg.ca Paul is a trial and appellate lawyer. His focus is commercial litigation and arbitration, judicial review and public law. He has particular expertise in complex cases with a regulatory or cross-border dimension. Over 25 years of practice, he has built experience in a broad range of industries. Paul excels at resolving difficult issues through innovative litigation strategies. Clients rely on him for insight and a creative approach to simplify and resolve their most challenging disputes. Paul has extensive trial and appellate experience at all levels in the Ontario and Federal Courts, and has been counsel in 11 appeals in the Supreme Court of Canada. He has prosecuted cases before a wide range of administrative and arbitral tribunals. He acts as an arbitrator, as a presiding officer under the Competition Act, and a tribunal Chair, and has been an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto for two decades.
M. Paul Michell
(416) 598-7873 jlisus@lolg.ca Jonathan’s practice focuses on commercial and public law trial and appellate litigation. He has deep experience with infrastructure and P3-related litigation, class actions for plaintiffs and defendants, product liability, oppression remedies, Aboriginal land claims and securities litigation. He appears as counsel in courts and arbitral tribunals across the country and the Supreme Court of Canada. Jonathan regularly appears as Special Counsel to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in challenges to government action. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Chief Justice of Ontario's Advisory Committee on Professionalism, and a member of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute. Described by his peers as 'the gold standard in this space, a phenomenal litigator', for more than thirty years Jonathan has won landmark decisions across a broad variety of subject matter including competition law, constitutional law, liability of public authorities, professional liability, criminal law, financial services, franchise law, and contract disputes. He has tried over 90 cases to judgment and argued over 55 appeals in provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Jonathan C. Lisus
(416) 360-8481 slaubman@lolg.ca Shaun practises corporate commercial litigation, including shareholder and partnership disputes, fraud cases, franchise litigation, estate litigation, and real estate disputes. He is an experienced trial and appellate counsel and has successfully represented clients before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as before administrative and arbitral tribunals. Shaun also has extensive experience with fast-moving cases involving Mareva and injunctive relief. Shaun is the Past Chair of the OBA’s Civil Litigation Section and a member of the Commercial List Users’ Committee. He currently serves as a chairperson for the University of Toronto’s Academic Discipline tribunal. Previously, Shaun clerked for the judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal, and practised at a major international law firm in New York for several years. Shaun has been recognized as an "Up & Coming" lawyer by Chambers Canada, a "Next Generation Lawyer" by The Legal 500 and in The Best Lawyers in Canada. He is a past recipient of the Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 award.
Shaun Laubman
(416) 644-5353 mgottlieb@lolg.ca Matthew practises business litigation including corporate and commercial disputes, insolvency and restructuring and fraud and securities litigation. Matt’s extensive track record of success in complex, high-stakes disputes explains why he is recognized as one of Canada’s top litigation lawyers. He has significant expertise in trials and applications, in tribunal and arbitration hearings, and regularly appears at all levels of court in Ontario and other provinces, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. Matt has acted as counsel in many major proceedings, including those regarding Aon, Clublink, the Stronach Family, Dymon Corporation, York Region, Sears Canada, Mattamy Homes and a number of material parties in complex insolvency proceedings. Matt is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and The International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a frequent instructor at many litigation-related seminars held by The Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates' Society and other organizations.
Matthew P. Gottlieb
(416) 596-2870 pfruitman@lolg.ca Paul’s litigation practice focuses on contract disputes, infrastructure and construction disputes, health law, employment law, shareholder disputes and product liability matters. He has extensive expertise acting for healthcare institutions and professionals in civil and regulatory proceedings, and acts as counsel to corporate directors and officers, in shareholder disputes and oppression claims. Paul has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, and in administrative and arbitral tribunals. He regularly appears before the Toronto Commercial List. Paul has acted as counsel in many major proceedings, including the $1 billion class action against SNC Lavalin and alleged nomination fraud involving the Ontario PC Party. Recent clients include the University Health Network and Meta, among others. Paul frequently presents on litigation topics and trial advocacy, and is a frequent instructor at Osgoode's Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy program. He is a member of the OBA’s Alternative Business Structures Task Force and the CBA’s working group for Solicitor-Client Privilege Claims. His writing has appeared in the Annual Review of Civil Litigation and the Advocates’ Quarterly and he is a regular contributor to The Advocates’ Journal.
Paul Fruitman
C. Kirk Boggs
(416) 601-2367 kboggs@lerners.ca Kirk is a senior partner with 41 yrs of civil litigation experience. He regularly represents insurers/insureds regarding sophisticated, leading-edge coverage issues, including cyber risk, commercial property and general liability, D&O and E&O liability, builders risk, and other specialty policies. He also represents insurers/insureds in complex tort and contractual litigation involving public entity defence, Charter claims, professional negligence, products liability, motor vehicle accidents, property damage, E&O, D&O, and occupiers’ liability. Kirk has extensive trial and appellate experience, appearing before all levels of the courts in Ontario, as well as the SCC. He has significant experience in the defence of complex multi-party class actions, commercial insurance arbitrations and mediation. In 2023 he successfully represented a major insurer in the national class action with respect to COVID-related business interruption losses, appeal dismissed 2024. Kirk is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the LSO. He is consistently recognized as a leading practitioner in insurance litigation by notable peer- and client-rated directories. In 2018 he was the recipient of the OBA Award for Excellence in Insurance Law.
(416) 601-2374 rbell@lerners.ca Robert B. Bell is a senior partner at Lerners LLP. He has appeared in trial and appellate courts across Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. His specialty areas include major commercial disputes; specialty insurance coverage litigation; class proceedings; product liability, including design and manufacturing issues in aviation/aerospace, automotive and consumer products industries. Rob Bell is acknowledged for his expertise in aviation and product liability law as evidenced by his continued inclusion in several notable peer- and client-rated legal directories and rankings—Lexology, Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. Mr. Bell has created and led numerous advocacy programs for The Advocates’ Society, LSO, and Osgoode Professional Development and is frequently invited to participate at conferences as keynote speaker. He received the 2014 Advocates’ Society Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding contribution to the profession. Mr. Bell is an Accredited Mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), a leading UK provider of dispute resolution services; a past Executive Board Member of The Advocates’ Society; member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian, American, and International Bar Associations.
Robert B. Bell
(519) 640-6337 abedard@lerners.ca Anthony J. Bedard commenced his professional career with Lerners LLP following his call to the bar in 1988. He has been a Partner since 1993 with a practice devoted to civil litigation throughout. He has been repeatedly recognized by his peers in The Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of insurance law. His insurance practice focuses on complex and large loss first-party insurance claims. Mr. Bedard regularly acts as counsel on business interruption claims, building quantification issues and contents and stock loss cases across a wide spectrum of industry sectors, including: retail, manufacturing, professional services, heavy industry, mining, warehousing, and the hospitality sector. He has acted as litigation counsel, appraiser under the Insurance Act and negotiator in resolving property loss claims. He has advised clients, written countless coverage opinions and acted as litigation counsel in claims involving fraud, arson, material misrepresentation, material change in circumstance, policy interpretation, building by-laws, limitation of actions and bad faith. Mr. Bedard has chaired and spoken at conferences involving property damage issues for Canadian Defence Lawyers, Osgoode Professional Development Program, and Canadian Institute.
Anthony J. Bedard
(519) 640-6315 kross@lerners.ca Kevin is a senior partner, with a wide-ranging civil litigation practice that encompasses health law, class actions, professional regulation, commercial litigation, plaintiff personal injury, and insurance litigation. He represents individuals as well as institutional clients of all sizes. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer who truly empathizes with his clients and advocates on their behalf with tremendous skill and compassion. Kevin has distinguished himself as a leader across all areas of his litigation practice, where he is known for developing innovative settlement techniques and employing effective trial advocacy if and when a fair and reasonable settlement cannot be achieved. He has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario. He also has extensive experience appearing before various administrative and adjudicative tribunals. Kevin has been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation, and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2023, he was elected by his peers to serve a four-year term as a Law Society Bencher. Kevin is frequently invited to present, lead, and create legal and advocacy training programs for law schools and legal education organizations.
Kevin L. Ross
(416) 601-2360 lmunro@lerners.ca Lisa is a partner of Lerners LLP and a roster arbitrator with Arbitration Place. She acts as an arbitrator in domestic and international commercial arbitrations (both ad hoc and under institutional rules), to which she brings more than 25 years of experience as counsel in commercial/business litigation and commercial arbitration and 12 years as a member of the Lerners LLP Executive Committee, including as Toronto Managing Partner. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and has obtained ADRIC’s Qualified Arbitrator (QArb) designation. Lisa is one of four instructors of the TCAS Gold Standard Course in Domestic and International Commercial Arbitration. She is a member of the board of directors of ADRIC and CIArb. Lisa is the editor of and a writer for Arbitration Matters (www.arbitrationmatters.com). It features over 800 summaries of key decisions, with commentary, on commercial arbitration issues as they are released by courts across the country. She is also the host of Arbitration Boot Camp, a monthly, live, one-hour webinar series in which she discusses and takes questions about arbitration issues viewed from a practical perspective. Recordings of all webinars can be viewed on YouTube.
Lisa C. Munro
(416) 601-2363 cfrith@mcdougallgauley.com Cynthia is a partner with almost 25 years of civil litigation experience. She brings her advocacy skills, honed from decades of on-her-feet experience, and her common-sense approach to problem-solving to diverse areas of law, including commercial litigation and arbitration, appellate advocacy, public and administrative law, professional regulation, and health law. She has appeared as lead counsel at trials, applications and appeals, and has litigated before every level of court including the Supreme Court of Canada. Cynthia is retained for her judgment and commitment to advancing her client’s interests. She works with clients on business-centred solutions, recognizing that, for many clients, litigation is not the best path forward. But where it is, Cynthia is known as a formidable advocate, combining her courtroom skills with her strong sense of professionalism and ethics. She is certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Ontario, and has her QArb designation from the ADRIO. In addition to her practice, Cynthia is the Chair of the firm, where she is responsible for setting its strategic direction. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Advocates’ Society and is a regular contributor to educational programming in the legal profession.
Cynthia B. Kuehl
(519) 640-6317 pkryworuk@lerners.ca Peter is a Senior Partner at Lerners LLP and Leader of the firm’s Health Law Group. He has extensive trial and appellate experience in complex litigation, maintaining a diverse practice including medical and professional negligence, class actions, product liability and tort litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury and insurance litigation. He is certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Ontario and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Litigation Counsel of America and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a past President of The Advocates’ Society. He has been repeatedly selected as one of Canada’s leading litigation lawyers by Lexpert and recognized by Lexpert as a leading lawyer in the areas of Medical Negligence, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Corporate Commercial Litigation, Class Actions, and Commercial Insurance. He has been included in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2006 in his many practice areas. He is recognized in Chambers Canada as a leading lawyer in Healthcare – Band 1 Contentious. He is also an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell in legal ability and ethical standards. He has written and lectured extensively in his areas of practice.
Peter W. Kryworuk
(416) 601-2390 efan@lerners.ca Emily Fan is the Deputy Leader of the Dispute Resolution & Advocacy Group. She maintains a diverse litigation practice, focused on complex business and shareholders disputes, creditors’ remedies, and pre-litigation advisory work. She represents clients in a broad array of industries including emerging technologies, real estate, telecommunications, professional services, and banking. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, Federal Court, and regulatory bodies. Her select experience includes acting as counsel to the major accounting firms in various matters including public inquiries and contractual disputes; representing receivers and creditors in receiverships related to real estate developments; acting as counsel to one of North America’s largest private developers in a dispute within a third party restructuring proceeding; defence counsel to high-stakes fraud claims; and risk advisory work, including for an e-commerce platform and consumer product manufacturer. Emily serves on the Commercial List Users’ Committee, and is on the board of the Making Way Project. She previously served on the board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
Emily Y. Fan
(416) 601-2350 echerniak@lerners.ca Earl A. Cherniak, LL.B, LL.D, KC, FCIArb is a partner with over 60 years of litigation and dispute resolution experience. His practice focusses on arbitrations and mediations, and trial and appellate work in a broad spectrum of complex commercial, insurance, public litigation and arbitration. He is a roster member at 3 Verulam Buildings chambers in London (UK); the Canadian roster of arbitrators of the International Chamber of Commerce and ADR Institute of Canada; and an honourary North American member of the (UK) Commercial Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; a member of the international and Canadian panels of arbitrators for the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR); the Past Chair of the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society (TCAS); an Elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers , the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the Litigation Counsel of America; and Past President of The Advocates’ Society (Ontario). He was a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario (1999–2007) and a Chair of the Proceedings Authorization Committee. He was a commissioner of the Ontario Law Reform Commission (1986–1992).
Earl A. Cherniak
(416) 601-2352 wpepall@lerners.ca Mr. Pepall has, for over 40 years practiced civil litigation with an emphasis on professional liability and a wide range of commercial disputes. He has pleaded cases before all levels of court in Ontario and before the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court. Special appearances have been made before the SEC, the OSC, the Estey Inquiry into Banking, and courts in Manitoba, South Carolina, California, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Mr. Pepall has broad and diverse experience but has developed particular expertise in shareholder disputes and in the representation of lawyers, accountants and directors and officers in professional negligence, securities, director and officer liability and fraud claims, whether pursued in individual proceedings, class actions or arbitrations. Consistently recognized as a leading lawyer in corporate and commercial litigation, securities litigation and professional liability in The Best Lawyers in Canada, The Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers in Canada, and The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. He is also designated as a Certified Specialist in the field of Civil Litigation by the LSO.
William E. Pepall
Dino P. Clarizio
(416) 844-8245 dclarizio@markwelllaw.com Partner. Registered Patent and Trademark Agent in Canada and Registered Patent Agent in the US. Practice focuses on all intellectual property litigation, particularly patent litigation and patent prosecution. Has appeared in the trial and appeal levels of the Federal Court and in the Supreme Court of Canada in cases ranging from pharmaceutical products to construction toys to washing machine agitators. Advises clients on pre-litigation issues such as providing freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity opinions. Cases have involved issues including anticipation, obviousness, utility, infringement, the doctrine of functionality in trademark law, survey evidence, and copyright infringement. Has a patent prosecution practice with an emphasis on patenting in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Recognized as a leading IP lawyer by Lexpert, Euromoney, and Chambers, and in The Legal 500 Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, Who’s Who Legal Canada, IAM Patent 1000, and Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars for patents. Co-author of two of the leading patent textbooks in Canada. Frequent author and speaker on IP law. Member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, The Advocates’ Society, Canadian Bar Association, and American Intellectual Property Law Association.
(416) 451-8400 jmarkwell@markwelllaw.com Jason Markwell is a leading patent and drug regulatory litigator in Canada. He represents clients in a wide range of industries, including life sciences, technology, financial services, manufacturing, mining and energy. He is well-known for his work on behalf of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in patent and regulatory disputes. He has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in a number of high-stakes and precedent-setting decisions. Jason has been recognized as a leading intellectual property lawyer by Lexpert, Chambers & Partners, IAM Patent 1000, The Best Lawyers Canada, Who’s Who Legal, Lexpert ALM 500 Directory, IP Stars, Martindale-Hubbell, Benchmark Litigation (IP Litigator of the Year, 2017), Managing Intellectual Property (Outstanding IP Practitioner – Canada, 2019), LMG Life Sciences (Lawyer of the Year, 2018, Patent Litigation). Jason is active in various intellectual property organizations, including the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). Jason is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and is a member of The Advocates’ Society.
Jason C. Markwell
Kris Borg-Olivier
(416) 646-7490 kris.borg-olivier@paliareroland.com Kris Borg-Olivier has a broad litigation practice with a particular focus on complex commercial and civil litigation, including contract disputes and oppression remedy cases. He has served as lead counsel in numerous trials as well as domestic and international arbitrations. He enjoys acting for lawyers, and a significant portion of his practice involves representation of lawyers and law firms regarding civil actions and Law Society investigations. He has a keen analytical mind allowing him to tackle the most complex legal problems with clarity and creativity. Kris approaches all his cases, whether large or small, with a practical mindset and a view to achieving the best outcome for his clients in the most efficient way possible. His clients appreciate his ability to help them through difficult times with a calm and direct manner. Kris practised in New York for a number of years prior to returning home to Toronto, and his American legal experience is often called upon in cross-border matters. He has been recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. Kris has spoken and lectured on a wide range of topics, including civil procedure, trial advocacy, and injunctions. He is also an active mentor for younger lawyers and serves as the Chair of the firm's Associates Committee.
(416) 646-6303 ren.bucholz@paliareroland.com A partner at Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, Ren’s trial and appellate practice spans complex disputes that often involve intellectual property, defamation, new technologies, and competition law. He regularly acts in cross-border disputes involving public and private companies, and his broad advocacy experience includes dozens of trials, appeals, international and domestic arbitrations, coroner's inquests, administrative tribunal hearings, and internal investigations. Ren both prosecutes and defends class actions. Ren spent several years representing a non-governmental organization at a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva and served as a Google Policy Fellow while completing graduate work on competition law, technology standards and intellectual property. In 2018, Ren was recognized for Precedent Setter Award by Precedent Magazine and in 2020, he was recognized by Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40.
Ren Bucholz
(416) 646-4308 megan.shortreed@paliareroland.com Megan Shortreed routinely represents clients in corporate, commercial, employment, civil, and administrative litigation. She argues cases involving shareholder and partnership disputes, duties of directors and employees, trusts and estates, product liability, and other complex commercial cases. She acts often on behalf of senior executives respecting their compensation, employment contracts or termination from employment, and for both employers and employees in respect of sensitive workplace investigations. She appears before the Toronto Commercial and Estates Lists, Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She has extensive hearings experience before professional disciplinary tribunals. Megan has been featured in the Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation and has been listed by Lexpert since 2015 for Litigation – Corporate Commercial. She is recognized by both The Best Lawyers in Canada and Benchmark Canada. Megan was the inaugural recipient of the Honsberger Award, presented by the Toronto Lawyers Association in 2014, and received the Lexpert Zenith Award Celebrating Women in Law in 2017. In 2021, she was named Health Law/Medical Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Litigation Canada. Megan is a Bencher of the LSO and a former Director of The Advocates’ Society.
Megan Shortreed
(416) 646-4318 chris.paliare@paliareroland.com Chris Paliare, OOnt, LSM, is one of Canada’s premier litigators at trial and appellate levels, shareholder disputes, securities litigation, administrative law, Charter of Rights and Freedoms and constitutional litigation, class actions, employment law and white collar criminal law. His unique combination of sophisticated legal skills, strategic instincts, and creativity has earned him recognition as one of the top litigators in the country. Chris is a Fellow of IATL (Eastern Canadian Chair), ISB and ACTL and former Ontario Provincial Chair. He is an honorary member of COMBAR, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Chris is recognized in Lexpert as a leading Litigation lawyer and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2006. He is consistently listed in the Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers in Canada; The Lexpert Guide to the 100 Most Creative Lawyers in Canada; The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada; Bet-the-Company Litigators; Recipient of the OBA, Civil Litigation Award of Excellence. Chris was also recently recognized as Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in Canada and was inducted into the Order of Ontario (2011) and received the Law Society Medal (2008).
Chris G. Paliare, OO, LSM
(416) 646-7481 michael.fenrick@paliareroland.com Michael Fenrick is focused on solving his clients’ most complex and sensitive problems, efficiently and effectively. He is results-oriented, responsive, and understands the importance of momentum to reaching successful outcomes. Michael has a diverse practice, working with clients across a broad range of industries, in areas such as corporate commercial litigation; public-private partnerships and alternative finance procurement; appellate advocacy; judicial reviews; class actions; defamation; privacy; and labour and employment law and has a particular expertise in constitutional and other public law and policy matters. His range of experience means he has a depth and breadth of strategic insight when advising clients on the multitude of issues that face them. Michael has expertise in elections law, and issues related to the political process in Canada, as well as the legal issues faced by voluntary associations and other not-for-profit groups. In 2018, Michael was recognized as a Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyer Under 40, and by Benchmark Litigation as both a Future Star and on its hot list of leading litigators who are 40 and under.
Michael Fenrick
(416) 646-4311 gordon.capern@paliareroland.com Gordon Capern is a senior partner of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP and a leader of its corporate and commercial litigation practice. He enjoys representing the interests of entrepreneurs and has spent much of his career acting in cases where there are significant interests at stake. Gordon advises clients and acts as counsel in the resolution of disputes in many areas of corporate and commercial activity, including issues arising from complex commercial transactions, mergers & acquisitions in a wide array of industries, liability of professional advisors (including auditors, accountants, and lawyers), shareholder and partnership disputes, and director, officer, and employee litigation, with considerable expertise in their fiduciary obligations. Gordon is ranked in Chambers Global for dispute resolution where he is described as "a very prominent and effective litigator." He is recognized in The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada as a leading Corporate Commercial Litigation lawyer, and in the Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation. Gordon is a Director and Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers.
Gordon D. Capern
(416) 646-4327 linda.rothstein@paliareroland.com Linda Rothstein is a senior partner at Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP. She is best known for probing cross-examinations, strategic advice and behind-the-scenes counsel work on high-stakes cases. She practises in civil & administrative litigation with expertise in class actions, commercial litigation, professional liability & misconduct, public law, employment & human rights, and judicial review & appeals. Her high-profile work as Commission counsel to the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology and lead counsel to the Motherisk Hair Analysis Review has cemented her reputation as one of Ontario’s leading advocates. Linda was given OBA's Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation in 2018 and is ranked by Chambers as "a top litigator." She is recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation 2019 and The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2006. She was awarded the Law Society Medal by the LSO, the Award of Distinction from the Toronto Lawyers Association, the Lexpert Zenith Award in 2013 and the University of Toronto Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014. In 2021, Linda was the recipient of The Advocates' Society Medal and has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Litigation and one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada by Benchmark Litigation.
Linda R. Rothstein, LSM
Sharon A. Kour
(416) 613-8283 skour@reconllp.com Sharon is a founding partner of Reconstruct LLP. Prior to joining her partner, Sharon spent close to a decade at McCarthy Tétrault. Sharon’s expertise is in insolvency and restructuring and commercial litigation. She frequently acts as counsel to debtors and various stakeholders in insolvency and restructuring proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Sharon also acts for court officers in wide-ranging court-appointed, regulatory and public inquiry mandates. Sharon's peers respect her ability to build consensus in complicated situations. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada for her work in corporate and commercial litigation. Sharon is the Secretary of the Insolvency Section of the Ontario Bar Association and actively participates as an OBA liaison for various judicial and legal initiatives.
(416) 613-8282 cfell@reconllp.com Caitlin is a founding partner of Reconstruct LLP. She worked for Osler and McMillan, two of Canada’s top law firms, prior to launching Reconstruct LLP with her partner. Caitlin primarily practices commercial law, with an emphasis on restructurings, insolvency, secured transactions, reorganizations, workouts, and debtor/creditor law. She has been involved in multi-jurisdictional proceedings under both the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. She has acted for debtor corporations, lending syndicates, purchasers, and court officers. Caitlin’s practice is focused on distressed situations and, in particular, she has developed a deep and loyal client base in the technology and cannabis space. She appreciates the many unique issues that affect early-stage growth and provides practical solutions for unique problems. Caitlin is a graduate of McMaster University and the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. She has authored numerous articles on insolvency-related subjects, including several publications featured in the Annual Review of Insolvency Law. Beyond her legal practice, Caitlin is also a trained equestrian. She regularly participates in competitions across Ontario.
Caitlin E. Fell
(416) 255-4922 aporter@porterlitigation.com Andrew's trial and appellate practice includes a wide range of litigation matters, including commercial litigation, professional liability, regulatory, and other public law matters. His clients regularly include corporations, shareholders, professionals, regulators, and other institutions. His advice and representation has proven effective both inside and outside the courtroom. Andrew’s clients have relied on him in contentious shareholder and partnership disputes, numerous injunctions, negligence actions, and in complex fraud matters. He has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada, at all levels of court and numerous administrative tribunals in Ontario, and in the British Columbia and Nova Scotia Courts of Appeal. He is an Adjunct Faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School.
(365) 240-1320 adam@ship-law-adr.ca Mediator/arbitrator, commercial litigator and franchise lawyer with over 15 years' experience gained at national law firm McCarthy Tétrault, where he was a litigation partner and led the firm's franchise practice. Since November 2023, practicing franchise law and commercial litigation at Ship-Law-ADR and as a mediator/arbitrator at ADR Chambers. Maintains a national litigation and franchise practice with clients across Canada and appears frequently before arbitration panels and the Ontario, BC and Alberta courts. Routinely mediates and arbitrates franchise and commercial matters. Former Adjunct Professor of franchise law at the University of Toronto. Legal publications on private law have been cited by appellate courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the BC and Ontario courts of appeal.
Jeremy Want
(613) 232-2486 jwwant@smartbiggar.ca Jeremy Want is a principal in Smart & Biggar’s Ottawa office. With over 20 years of experience in IP litigation, he has participated in many successful patent cases (including pharmaceuticals), trademarks, and copyrights. Clients benefit from his involvement at all stages, investigating, preparing, and protecting IP interests in order to effectively minimize their risk and successfully defend their interests. In his IP litigation practice, he regularly represents clients before the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and has also successfully argued cases before the Trademarks Opposition Board. He speaks regularly on issues relating to the Canadian patent system and patent litigation in Canada, including presentations for the Law Society of Ontario and Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), and has authored and co-authored a number of papers and practice guides, including the "Canadian" chapters of Chambers Global Practice Guides and Practical Law. He is a fellow of IPIC, a member of IPIC's litigation committee and Ontario Bar Association, a holder of a BSc Hons in chemistry and LLB, and a registered trademark and patent agent. He was called to the Ontario bar in 2000 and the Alberta bar in 2017.
(416) 595-2761 nppei@smartbiggar.ca Nancy Pei is a Principal in Smart & Biggar's Toronto office. With hands-on experience as a licensed pharmacist and over 25 years of patent litigation expertise, Nancy has established a successful IP practice focused exclusively in the field of life sciences, with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals and biologics. Nancy’s clients benefit not only from the depth and breadth of her experience but also from her unique insights on broader patenting, regulatory and business issues, helping them manage the life cycles of their products and remain competitive in an ever-changing industry. As a patent litigator, Nancy represents innovative life sciences companies in patent litigation, including actions under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. She has represented clients before the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. She also represents clients in judicial review applications.
Nancy Pei
(416) 595-2756 ykang@smartbiggar.ca With a reputation as a smart and pragmatic problem-solver, Yoon is a trusted legal advisor and leader in the life sciences industry. A Principal in the firm’s life sciences litigation practice, Yoon counsels global pharmaceutical innovators and research institutions on all aspects of patent rights, including those pertaining to small molecules and biologics inventions. Yoon’s commitment to her clients’ success is clear in her work. She has significant experience as lead counsel, representing pharmaceutical clients before the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal in complex patent litigation, including under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. Yoon and her team successfully appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada on the controversial question of “promised utility.” The Supreme Court of Canada, in an important and highly anticipated decision, AstraZeneca Canada Inc v. Apotex Inc (2017 SCC 36), rejected the “promise doctrine” and clarified the requirement for patent “utility” in Canada. The unanimous decision represents an important victory for innovators seeking protection in Canada.
Yoon Kang
(416) 595-2753 jshamilton@smartbiggar.ca Sheldon Hamilton is a principal in Smart & Biggar's Toronto office and litigation practice group leader for the firm. For more than 25 years, he has acted as counsel for many of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical companies in relation to commercially significant products. He has extensive trial experience focusing on issues of patent infringement and validity and damage quantification. He has appeared as trial and appellate counsel, including in proceedings under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. He is annually listed in the Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation, Benchmark Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, Who's Who Legal: Canada, Who's Who Legal: Patents, Who's Who Legal: Life Sciences, LMG Life Sciences, IAM Patent 1000, IAM Patent Litigation 250, IAM Life Sciences 250 and Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars Handbook: Patents. He is a member and former director of The Advocates' Society, former vice chairman of the finance and audit committee, fellow of IPIC, member of AIPPI, holder of a BASc (chemical engineering) and an LLB, and registered patent and trademark agent.
Sheldon Hamilton
(514) 954-3531 fguay@smartbiggar.ca François Guay is a principal in Smart & Biggar’s Montreal office and a senior member of the litigation practice. With over 40 years of IP litigation experience, he is among the most experienced IP litigators in Canada and a highly sought-after advisor to the largest, most innovative companies in the world. He has argued more than 200 cases that have resulted in leading jurisprudence in the fields of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, unfair competition, trade secrets, and computer related technology. He also has a vast amount of experience with extraordinary recourses such as interim or interlocutory injunctions, seizures before judgement, and anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy matters. He was named “Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year for Montreal” by Best Lawyers, “IP Litigator of the Year” by Benchmark Canada, a “Global Patent Leader” by IAM, and a “Top IP Lawyer in Quebec” by Lexpert. He has also received numerous other accolades and honours. He has been successful counsel in many of Canada’s most high profile trademark cases in the past several years. He is a fellow of IPIC; member of CBA, INTA, and the International Wine Lawyers Association; holder of an LLL; and registered trademark agent. He was called to the Quebec bar in 1982.
François Guay
(416) 595-2777 mkevans@smartbiggar.ca Mark Evans is a principal at Smart & Biggar’s Toronto office. He is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading trademark lawyers and a highly respected litigator. He has significant experience in all aspects of trademark law including trademark and trade-dress litigation, brand selection and clearance, trademark prosecution, oppositions and cancelations, and licensing and merchandising. He has been successful in numerous high-profile, precedent setting cases and has twice been selected as Trademark Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada. Most recently, he was named Canada’s Outstanding Trademark Practitioner by Managing IP and Global Elite Thought Leader in Trademarks by Who’s Who Legal. He is listed annually in The Lexpert ALM 500 Directory, Expert Guides, The Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal: Canada, WTR 1000, The Legal 500 Canada, and MIP’s IP Stars Handbook: Trademark & Copyright. Surveys, clients, and colleagues describe him as "the best bar none” and “the ‘go-to’ lawyer” for trademark law. He has written extensively on IP law, is a frequent speaker, and has taught at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a fellow of IPIC, member of INTA, holder of a BSc and LLB, and registered patent and trademark agent. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1986.
Mark Evans
(514) 954-3547 jsdupont@smartbiggar.ca As an accomplished IP litigator and leader of the Firm's Litigation Group, Jean-Sébastien is committed to providing legal solutions and achieving results that fit with clients’ short- and long-term business plans. Clients rely on him to present potential options and to provide decisive guidance on the best course of action. Never one to compromise on quality, he is diligent in preparing and advocating for clients in court, while anticipating issues and challenges that may arise from the opposing side. Focusing on intellectual property litigation in the areas of patents, copyright and trademarks, Jean-Sébastien is involved in all aspects of litigation from preparing and initiating new court proceedings to bringing complex cases to trial. Earning trust is key to Jean-Sébastien’s effectiveness, enabling him to act on behalf of his clients in a timely and strategic manner.
Jean-Sébastien Dupont
(416) 595-2766 mgbiernacki@smartbiggar.ca Mark Biernacki is a principal in Smart & Biggar’s Toronto office. He is a savvy IP litigator and skilled negotiator who excels in all areas of IP litigation including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs. His clients rely on his ability to successfully resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, and commend him for his creativity and being "excellent in court.” Clients appreciate his considerable experience in pharmaceutical patent litigation, including under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. Both plaintiffs and defendants have been successfully represented by him before the Trademarks Opposition Board, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Federal Court of Canada, and the Federal Court of Appeal. He has also successfully resolved many disputes through mediation and negotiation. He is listed in MIP’s IP Stars Handbook, The Legal 500 Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, WTR 1000, World IP Review Leaders, and Benchmark Canada as a "Litigation Star." He is a fellow of IPIC, member of the International Trademark Association, vice-chairman of the INTA enforcement committee, and registered patent and trademark agent. He has a BASc (mechanical engineering) and a LLB from Osgoode. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1999.
Mark Biernacki
(416) 363-3343 marcus@snowdenlaw.ca Called to the Bar: 1990 (ON), 2006 (MB). An insurance coverage counsel, Marcus opines on, gives strategic advice for, and arbitrates or litigates to trial and appeal coverage and related issues under CGL, Umbrella/Excess, D&O and E&O liability, Commercial Property, statutory workers compensation coverage and related reinsurance programs. He provides coverage and monitoring counsel services on underlying domestic and international cross-border class action and other litigation. Marcus advises underwriters on new and revised wordings, assists policyholder in-house and outside corporate/commercial and leasing counsel on insurance-related transaction-based risk management/transfer issues. A co-author of a leading Canadian insurance law text, Annotated Commercial General Liability Policy, he is consistently peer-nominated for insurance law in Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada. Member: Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, Canadian Bar Association, American College of Coverage Counsel, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Defense Research Institute, Inc., American Bar Association, 2-year term on Canadian Insurance Institute ethics sub-committee.
Luisa Ritacca
(416) 593-2492 luisar@stockwoods.ca Luisa Ritacca’s practice encompasses a wide variety of areas, including administrative law and civil and commercial litigation. She has been a partner since 2006 and a member of the firm’s management committee since 2008. In 2018, she became managing partner. In February 2016, she received an Order-in-Council appointment as a part-time member of the Licence Appeal Tribunal. She is counsel for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports and has appeared on a number of anti-doping cases over the last several years. In addition, she acts for students facing academic and non-academic related charges at secondary and post-secondary institutions throughout Ontario. Further, she acts as independent legal counsel for a number of regulated health colleges and administrative tribunals throughout the province. In that role, she provides substantive and procedural advice during hearings as well as ongoing training for adjudicators. In 2013, she was appointed by former Chief Justice Warren Winkler to act as court monitor in the administration of two pan-Canadian settlements involving the tainted blood scandal, as well as the settlement involving water contamination in Walkerton, Ontario.
(416) 593-2470 edwardm@stockwoods.ca Edward (Ted) Marrocco is a litigator with a unique combination of courtroom skill and tech knowledge. He acts on commercial, regulatory, and public law matters including coroner’s inquests and public inquiries. He is regularly retained to work on cases involving computer-based evidence, including social media evidence and electronic data privacy. He helps lawyers and law firms respond to data breaches and often presents on cyber security topics at conferences for lawyers and private clients. In 2022, he was co-counsel on one of Ontario’s leading cases on abuse of process. The case turned on improper access to an opposing side’s electronic data system, and he was the lawyer responsible for the successful side’s computer forensics strategy. He also has a well-established regulatory and public law practice. In 2019, he was lead counsel for a police service at the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In late 2023, he acted on a landmark coroner’s inquest where he successfully represented the family of a man tragically killed by correctional officers at an Ontario super jail. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of Toronto. He is a co-author of Digital Privacy: Criminal, Civil and Regulatory Litigation (LexisNexis, 2018).
Edward (Ted) Marrocco
(416) 593-2493 paullv@stockwoods.ca Paul Le Vay's practice includes corporate commercial litigation, securities litigation, class actions, professional liability, claims against directors and officers, employment litigation, and professional regulation. He conducts internal investigations and advises corporations and their boards on them. He has been a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; international member of The Commercial Bar Association (UK); former trustee of the Law Foundation of Ontario; past president of l'Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario; past director of The Advocates’ Society; and frequent speaker and author in his areas of practice. Being bilingual, he argues cases in English and French before all levels of court, as well as tribunals, including the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). He is ranked by Chambers Global and listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada and Benchmark Canada in his principal areas of practice.
Paul H. Le Vay
(416) 593-1668 naderh@stockwoods.ca Nader Hasan practises criminal, regulatory, and constitutional law at the trial and appellate levels. He defends clients accused of all forms of criminal misconduct, including white collar crime, drug offences, homicide, sexual offences, and professional misconduct. He has expertise in digital privacy law and search and seizure issues, and has appeared in many of the leading cases in these areas. He has appeared in more than 20 cases at the Supreme Court of Canada. He is a veteran adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, where he lectures on criminal and constitutional law. He is a co-author of Search & Seizure (Emond Publishing, 2021); Sentencing, 9th edition (LexisNexis, 2017); and Digital Privacy: Criminal, Civil and Regulatory Litigation (LexisNexis, 2018). He is a graduate of Harvard University (BA), the University of Cambridge (MPhil), and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (JD), and a former law clerk to former Justice Marshall Rothstein of the Supreme Court of Canada. He is called to the bars in Ontario and New York.
Nader R. Hasan
(416) 593-2489 briang@stockwoods.ca Brian Gover’s diverse litigation practice is reflected in his ranking in Lexpert in the areas of litigation – directors' and officers' liability, Indigenous law, litigation – regulatory and public law, and professional liability. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada in six categories, including appellate practice, bet-the-company litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, and criminal defence, and is rated AV preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. He has extensive experience in both federal and provincial commissions of inquiry and related processes. Recently, he appeared as counsel at the Public Order Emergency Commission. His clients include individuals, corporations, regulators, and government agencies. He is regularly retained to act for judges facing disciplinary proceedings. Since 2013, he has assisted the judges tasked with administering the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Canada's largest and most complex class action settlement. His extensive teaching experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at Western Law and Osgoode Hall Law School. From 2018-2019, he was president of The Advocates’ Society. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a fellow and director of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Brian J. Gover
(416) 593-3497 andreag@stockwoods.ca Andrea Gonsalves is an experienced litigator, sought out by clients for her sound judgment, strategic and practical advice, and strong courtroom advocacy. She has extensive experience in litigation and dispute resolution, with particular emphasis on appeals and judicial review applications, administrative and regulatory law, corporate and commercial disputes, defamation and media law, intellectual property disputes, and professional discipline matters. Drawing on her broad-based experience, she provides practical and strategic advice on complex issues arising at the intersection of many legal areas. She argues cases regularly before the Ontario and federal courts and represents clients in a wide variety of administrative proceedings and private dispute resolution processes. She has been retained by industry regulators to conduct complex and sensitive enforcement proceedings. She has taught administrative law courses as adjunct faculty for over a decade and writes and speaks frequently on a variety of legal topics. Prior to joining Stockwoods LLP, she clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and for Justice Louis LeBel of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Andrea Gonsalves
(416) 593-2485 carlodc@stockwoods.ca Carlo Di Carlo's practice covers various areas of corporate, commercial and regulatory, litigation. He routinely is involved in matters dealing with director/officer liability, shareholder disputes, oppression remedy cases, and contractual disputes. He has particular experience dealing with securities law issues. He has appeared before the Ontario Securities Commission on several occasions, both representing OSC staff and respondents. This is in addition to his representation of clients that are the subject of s. 11 investigations by the OSC. He also has represented a number of defendants in class actions dealing with issues such as an officer’s breach of duty and shareholder misrepresentation claims. He has been named one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Lexpert/ALM) and one of the top litigators in Canada under 40 (Benchmark Litigation). Who’s Who Legal recognized him from 2020 to 2023. He has published on a number of topics, including contributing a chapter on class actions to the text Digital Privacy: Criminal, Civil and Regulatory Litigation and to The Advocates’ Quarterly where he has published articles dealing with the scope of privilege in the context of internal investigations and materiality in shareholder class actions.
Carlo Di Carlo
(416) 593-1617 geraldc@stockwoods.ca Gerald Chan practises criminal, constitutional, administrative, and select civil litigation. He defends white collar criminal/regulatory cases (e.g., RCMP IMET, OSC, FSRA, Competition Bureau) during investigations, at trial, and on appeal. He also represents lawyers and law firms facing negligence and conflict allegations. Gerald is a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada (Benchmark). He has been counsel in over 20 cases in the Supreme Court of Canada and is an advocacy advisor with the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute. Gerald has co-authored and co-edited numerous legal texts. He teaches on the faculty of the National Criminal Law Program and University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. He is a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario; Vice-Chair of the Appeal Division of the Law Society Tribunal; and Trustee of the Law Foundation of Ontario. He was named Top 25 Most Influential (Canadian Lawyer, 2019), White-Collar Crime/Enforcement Litigator of the Year (Benchmark, 2023), and Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year, Toronto (Best Lawyers, 2024). Gerald graduated co-gold medallist from Osgoode Hall and clerked for Justice Abella at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Gerald Chan
(416) 593-2487 brendanvn@stockwoods.ca Brendan Van Niejenhuis practises litigation with a focus on regulatory/administrative law, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and class actions. He has often acted for public agencies, industry regulators, and discipline tribunals in difficult matters, as well as on behalf of First Nations interests. He is cross-appointed to the intellectual property boutique PCK IP as part of his intellectual property litigation work. He routinely argues matters before the various Ontario and federal courts as well as a wide variety of administrative tribunals and in private arbitrations. He has been repeatedly recognized as a leading counsel by Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada, and Benchmark Litigation and has been honoured with the Precedent-Setter Award and as a Lexpert Rising Star. He has taught administrative law as adjunct professor of law at Osgoode Hall Law School since 2008. Prior to his litigation career, he served as a law clerk to former Justice Frank Iacobucci of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Brendan Van Niejenhuis
(416) 593-2490 rthornton@tgf.ca Fredrick Schumann focuses on white collar criminal defence and related areas, corporate/commercial, and public law litigation. He has been counsel on over 60 reported decisions in Ontario and in the federal courts. Whether defending a person or business charged with an offence, navigating a complex commercial dispute, or dealing with a high-profile and sensitive public law issue, he applies legal skill and practical ingenuity to get his clients the best possible results. He is a frequent speaker and instructor, through the Advocates’ Society, Osgoode Professional Development, and Ontario Bar Association. He has a particular interest and experience on the law of evidence and trial advocacy skills, having conducted both civil and criminal trials and appeals. He has been a member of the teaching faculty at the Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop since 2019.
Fredrick Schumann
(416) 593-3494 justins@stockwoods.ca Justin Safayeni is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on administrative and public law, media/defamation law, and commercial litigation and appeals. In his public law practice, he represents clients in judicial reviews, statutory appeals, and hearings before a wide variety of tribunals. He also acts as independent legal counsel to a number of regulators. He acts for both plaintiffs and defendants in defamation cases and anti-SLAPP motions. He represented interveners before the Supreme Court on two major anti-SLAPP appeals. He also acts for parties in seeking access to court documents, making access to information requests and providing pre-publication advice to minimize defamation and privacy law liability and risk. In his commercial litigation practice, he represents clients in contract and shareholder disputes, oppression remedy cases, employment law matters, commercial fraud cases, and a wide range of other commercial disputes. He served as law clerk to the Justices Laskin, Goudge, and MacFarland at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He teaches administrative law, serves as the co-editor of the firm’s administrative law newsletter, and writes frequently on legal topics in academic, industry. and mainstream publications.
Justin Safayeni
Leanne M. Williams
(416) 304-0060 lwilliams@tgf.ca Leanne is a member of Thornton Grout Finnigan’s Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group and is a recognized leader in insolvency law. Leanne’s practice includes a variety of mandates, including workouts, refinancing, receiverships, bankruptcies and the enforcement of creditors’ rights. Leanne regularly represents banks and financial institutions across a broad spectrum of industries, and she also represents court officers in BIA and CCAA proceedings. As an experienced insolvency lawyer, Leanne is known for her collaborative and innovative approaches to resolving complex legal challenges. Her clients commend her strategic thinking and business expertise as keys to her success in the industry, often in ground-breaking mandates that set new precedents. Leanne is a passionate leader of and advocate for the practice of restructuring and insolvency law. She has been repeatedly recognized by Chambers Canada and Chambers Global as a legal leader for Restructuring and Insolvency, has been named a “Thought Leader” by Who's Who Legal and as a leading practitioner by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Expert Guides for Restructuring and Insolvency. Leanne is also a co-author of Lexology and IFLR, and currently serves as Past President of the Toronto Chapter of the TMA.
(416) 304-0560 rthornton@tgf.ca Robert is a widely recognized and highly-sought-after lawyer, noted as one of the foremost insolvency practitioners in Canada. Bob is a founding partner of Thornton Grout Finnigan (TGF) and works on some of the firm’s most high-priority and complex insolvency matters. His breadth and depth of experience is unparalleled in the industry, and has resulted in Bob enjoying a well-earned reputation as a pillar in the legal profession. Known for his creativity, energy and collaborative approach, Bob is frequently noted for his articulate client service and legal advice. He brings an intelligent, well-rounded and affable presence to each mandate, ensuring clients are supported throughout what are often the country’s largest and most pressing legal situations. A natural leader and mentor, Bob is active within the insolvency law industry and is committed to the development of the practice of law. Bob is the only lawyer in full-time practice to hold fellowships with both the Insolvency Institute of Canada and the American College of Bankruptcy.
Robert I. Thornton
(416) 304-0148 dpalter@tgf.ca Deborah is recognized as a leading advocate with a broad commercial and civil litigation practice. She regularly acts for individuals, companies and financial institutions providing creative advice and strategies for litigating and resolving complicated business disputes. Her significant mandates include cases involving complex commercial agreements, directors' and officers' liability, banking litigation, commercial real estate disputes, fraud claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, insolvency proceedings and securities-related matters over a wide cross-section of industries. She is a skilled trial and appellate lawyer, appearing regularly in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and in the negotiation, mediation and private arbitration of commercial disputes. Deborah is a past President of The Advocates’ Society, the pre-eminent association of litigation counsel in Canada. She is recognized as a leading litigator in several major legal publications and is known for her commitment and contribution to excellence in the profession. She is a sought-after speaker, moderator and advocacy skills trainer.
Deborah E. Palter
(416) 304-0599 gmoffat@tgf.ca Grant Moffat is recognized as a leading practitioner in the areas of insolvency, restructuring, and banking law. He frequently acts for lending syndicates, cash management providers and hedge providers across a broad range of industries, and also has extensive experience acting as independent counsel to court officers, such as receivers, bankruptcy trustees and monitors in CCAA proceedings. Recent significant mandates include acting as counsel to PwC as court-appointed receiver and manager of Bridging Finance Inc. and its related funds; counsel to the Province of British Columbia on behalf of a class of Canadian governments in connection with the CCAA recognition proceedings for Purdue Pharma and Endo International; advising lending syndicates in out of court debt and derivative restructurings in a variety of industries, including infrastructure projects, transportation and renewable energy; counsel to the DIP Lender and plan sponsor in the CCAA proceeding for the Bloom Lake and Wabush Mines; counsel to the Monitor in the CCAA proceeding for Dundee Oil and Gas Limited; and court-appointed representative counsel to the investors in Redstone Capital Corporation.
Grant B. Moffat
(416) 304-0559 djmiller@tgf.ca D. J. Miller is a restructuring and insolvency partner at Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP and has represented a wide variety of stakeholders in complex restructurings and insolvency litigation. She was lead Canadian insolvency counsel to the UK Pension Claimants in the Nortel Networks case and succeeded in obtaining a precedent-setting pro rata allocation of US$7.3 billion of sale proceeds among more than 40 insolvency estates in Canada, the US, and Europe following the first joint trial of the Canadian and US Courts. Ms. Miller has extensive experience on the “deal” side of restructurings as well as insolvency litigation, and has appeared before every level of court in Canada. She is considered a “go-to” counsel for stakeholders requiring creative advice to achieve effective workouts, both within and outside of formal court proceedings. Ms. Miller is known for her deep knowledge of the insolvency framework, both domestic and international, and for applying analytical and strategic skills to achieve successful outcomes for her clients. She is a member of the International Insolvency Institute (III), the Insolvency Institute of Canada (IIC), past President of the Toronto Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and is on the Executive Board of TMA Global.
D. J. Miller
(416) 304-0603 rkennedy@tgf.ca Rebecca practises in the area of insolvency and restructuring. She has experience in receiverships, security enforcement, debt collection, creditors’ rights, debtor protection, corporate restructuring, and forbearance agreements and has represented lenders, debtors, receivers, trustees, inspectors, court-appointed monitors, and DIP financiers in regional, national, and cross-border insolvencies. Rebecca’s recent representative work includes acting as counsel to: (i) FTI Consulting Canada Inc. in their role as the court-appointed monitor of the Just Energy Entities; (ii) Boreal Capital Partners Ltd. in their current restructuring under the CCAA; and (iii) Ernst & Young Inc. in its capacity as the court-appointed monitor of the Fresh Foods Group.
Rebecca L. Kennedy
(416) 304-7974 ahanrahan@tgf.ca Andrew is a commercial litigator with extensive legal experience in both Canada and the US. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including bankruptcy/insolvency litigation, construction and infrastructure litigation and shareholder disputes. Prior to joining TGF, Andrew practised for nine years in the New York office of an international law firm and continues to leverage his broad litigation knowledge with both Canadian and US clients, including in cross-border restructuring and litigation matters. A well-rounded professional, Andrew is known for his calm, focused approach to client service, offering a solutions-oriented perspective when dealing with clients’ challenging legal issues. He is an innovative lawyer, bringing novel ideas to the table to resolve issues, showcasing his expertise and strategic thinking. He is passionate about building long-lasting client relationships and ensuring clients receive exceptional service in each mandate.
Andrew Hanrahan
(416) 304-0558 jfinnigan@tgf.ca John is a partner of TGF and has a broad practice in complex commercial litigation with significant experience in insolvency and restructuring litigation. He has been lauded as a "spectacular lawyer in huge insolvency proceedings" and "a very credible, no-nonsense litigator who is extremely effective in court" in Chambers Global. He has been recognized in The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada and listed as Repeatedly Recommended in Litigation – Corporate Commercial in Lexpert. John currently is lead counsel for PwC as Receiver of Bridging Financial and was senior litigation counsel representing the Trustees of the UK Pension Plan in successfully obtaining a groundbreaking pro rata allocation among the global Nortel Networks insolvency estates following an unprecedented joint trial of the Canadian and US Courts, over $7.3 billion in asset sale proceeds. John was appointed by the Superior Court to represent 630,000 policyholders of Economical Insurance and led a successful negotiation with a competing group of policyholders on the allocation of $2 billion in expected demutualization benefits. He is a Founding Director of Worldwide Orphans Foundation Canada with more than $1.2 million raised for orphan relief.
John L. Finnigan
John N. Gregory
(604) 602-4268 jngregory@thor.ca John Gregory received his BBA degree from the University of Wisconsin and his LLB degree from the University of British Columbia. He was admitted to the BC bar in 1984 and the Ontario bar in 1992. He joined Thorsteinssons in 1984 and was seconded as a senior rulings officer with the Canada Revenue Agency in Ottawa from 1986 to 1988. He has also served as an instructor in the Faculty of Commerce at the University of British Columbia. His practice focuses on personal and corporate taxation, corporate reorganizations, and international tax planning.
(416) 864-9245 pjgibney@thor.ca Paul Gibney’s practice focuses on personal, corporate, and trust planning for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, executives, owner–managers, and their businesses, both domestic and international, including corporate reorganizations, estate planning, purchases and sales of businesses, immigration and emigration, non-profit organizations, and charities. He also represents taxpayers in their dealings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in the context of audits, appeals, and voluntary disclosures. He served as policy advisor to the Minister of National Revenue in Ottawa in 1996 and 1997. In that capacity, he developed significant contacts within the CRA. He has spoken at a significant number of conferences on tax matters including the Canadian Tax Foundation Annual Tax Conference, the STEP Annual Conference, and conferences presented by the Ontario Bar Association, the Strategy Institute, the Canadian Institute, and the Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development Programme. He has also served as an instructor for the bar admission course of the Law Society of Ontario, the CBA Tax Law for Lawyers Annual CLE, the CBA Will, Estate and Trust Fundamentals Course for Estate Practitioners, and the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Paul J. Gibney
(416) 864-9104 mgwilliams@thor.ca Matthew Williams has a practice that focuses on all aspects of taxpayer representation. He has appeared before the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada on a wide range of issues. He has been recognized by Lexpert as a Most Frequently Recommended Corporate Tax Litigator and was included in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers. He has been recognized as a leading tax dispute resolution lawyer in the International Tax Review, named among The Best Lawyers in Canada by Best Lawyers International (including being named Lawyer of the Year 2022 for Tax Law in Toronto, Ontario), is peer rated by Martindale-Hubbell as a “preeminent lawyer,” and is ranked by Chambers Canada and Chambers Global.
Matthew G. Williams
(604) 602-4295 rcarvalho@thor.ca Robert Carvalho focuses on representing taxpayers involved in complex audits involving the anti-avoidance provisions of the Act, including the general anti-avoidance rule and transfer pricing provisions. Having worked for the Department of Justice Canada for over 25 years, he has gathered unparalleled experience at all court levels on such files. He has been involved in numerous files at the Tax Court of Canada and Federal Court of Appeal involving the general anti-avoidance rule, including the first such appeal to go to the Federal Court of Appeal. In addition, his experience has given him insight into the Canada Revenue Agency audit process and has resulted in him being involved in many of the precedential cases involving the use of the CRA’s audit powers.
Robert Carvalho
Melanie K. Baird
(437) 873-9083 mbaird@tyrllp.com Melanie’s diverse intellectual property and commercial litigation practice encompasses patent, trademark, complex commercial, class actions, product liability, regulatory and technology disputes. She is the go-to Canadian litigation adviser for a wide array of world-leading clients. Melanie excels at litigating cases in emerging fields. She was counsel in the first biologic and biosimilar drug patent cases in addition to numerous precedent-setting trials, applications and appeals. She works extensively with life sciences companies on complex litigation of all types. Melanie also has broad experience in the software, tech and social media spaces, dealing with commercial, patent, trademark, copyright and licensing disputes. She is adept at devising strategic options and navigating cross-border issues. Melanie has been consistently recognized as a leading litigator both in Canada and globally. She was named IP Litigator of the Year by Benchmark in 2022 and again in 2023. She is ranked as one of the Top 100 Women Litigators in Canada and one of the Top 250 Women in IP worldwide and is recognized by every major legal directory including Lexpert, IAM Patent 1000 and Chambers.
(647) 519-5840 jdoris@tyrllp.com Jim is an experienced litigator handling complex commercial disputes. Prior to founding Tyr LLP in 2019, he was a senior litigation partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. He excels at litigating business disputes in a practical way that best achieves his client’s business objectives. His expertise includes shareholder and oppression remedy actions, class actions, securities disputes, insolvency and gaming matters. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Ontario, the Supreme Court of Canada and various other courts and tribunals across the country. Jim has received numerous recognitions including Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory — Litigation: Corporate Commercial, Directors’ & Officers’ Liability, Securities and Class Actions; Lexpert Special Edition — Litigation; Chambers Canada: Litigation, General Commercial; Benchmark Canada Litigation Star in Competition and General Commercial; and The Best Lawyers in Canada: Class Action Litigation, Competition/Antitrust, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Director & Officer Liability, Insolvency & Financial Restructuring and Securities Law. Jim was awarded Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year 2018, Toronto.
James W.E. Doris
(416) 527-3934 scampbell@tyrllp.com Sean Campbell is a founding partner of Tyr LLP. Prior to founding Tyr LLP in June 2019, he was a senior partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP in the Litigation, and Financial Restructuring & Insolvency practices. Clients in diverse sectors choose Sean to advise on commercial litigation, securities and class action litigation, shareholder disputes and competition matters. They appreciate his practical and creative approach to high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional litigation. Sean represents clients of various sizes on matters before the Capital Markets Tribunal, the Competition Tribunal and all levels of court in Canada. Sean has represented some of Canada’s largest companies in the telecommunications, mining and energy sectors, in both court and arbitration proceedings under both domestic and international arbitral regimes. More recently, Sean was co-lead counsel in a mining dispute representing one of Canada’s largest mining companies before the International Chamber of Commerce.
Sean R. Campbell
(647) 519-6607 jbunting@tyrllp.com James is a preeminent litigator and trial lawyer. He has led landmark trials and arbitrations both internationally and within Canada, and is repeatedly recognized as one of Canada’s leading litigators. James has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including high-stakes commercial disputes, appeals, class actions, competition claims, constitutional challenges, infrastructure disputes and sport-related litigation. James believes deeply in giving back to the community. He was awarded the 2016 Lexpert Zenith Award for Diversity & Inclusion to recognize his pro bono work with global athletes. He also served as Athlete Ombudsperson to the Canadian Olympic Committee during the Olympic Games in Rio and has served on several not-for-profit boards.
James (Jim) Bunting
Eric Bédard
(514) 982-1736 ebedard@woods.qc.ca Eric Bédard is an experienced litigator focusing on major commercial and administrative disputes, boasting extensive expertise in domestic and international arbitration, both as counsel and arbitrator. He acts for private and public companies in a variety of fields, including mining and gas, financial services, securities, and telecommunications. He also represents professionals in matters where their liability may be engaged and regarding their professional orders. With his diversified experience, he is familiar with the decision-making processes of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and with negotiating with them to defuse contentious situations. He is among the most prominent lawyers of his generation and is very active in the Canadian and international arbitration community.
(514) 982-4503 jwoods@woods.qc.ca James A. Woods, founder of Woods LLP, practises in litigation and arbitration and pleads at all levels of federal and provincial courts in Ontario and Quebec, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He was called to the bar of Quebec in 1976, of Ontario in 1979, of Alberta and BC in 2006, of England and Wales in 2007, and of Paris in 2013. He received the title of advocatus emeritus from the Quebec Bar in 2013. He has acted as attorney or as arbitrator, either as president or as a member of the Arbitration Tribunal, in a significant number of commercial and international cases, both ad hoc and under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
James A. Woods, AdE
(514) 982-6103 rvachon@woods.qc.ca Partner and chairman of the management committee of Woods LLP, Richard Vachon acts predominantly in the fields of commercial litigation, administrative law, class actions, securities litigation, defamation, and employment law. He has established a distinguished reputation rooted in his keen understanding of economic, strategic, and operational intricacies, often positioning him as a trusted advisor in business matters. He pleads regularly before the courts of first instance and the Court of Appeal, as well as before arbitration tribunals.
Richard Vachon
(438) 387-5499 cgascon@woods.qc.ca Clément Gascon, AdE joined Woods as senior counsel in the spring of 2020. After a career of more than 17 years in the Canadian judiciary, he returned to the private practice of law, which he had left in 2002. He uses his in-depth expertise and experience to guide and assist parties and their counsel in resolving disputes through arbitration at the national and international levels and acts as strategic advisor in the insolvency, restructuring, and litigation matters of the firm. He was a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada for five years, of the Quebec Court of Appeal for two years, and of the Quebec Superior Court for close to 10 years. He was a lawyer in private practice with a national law firm from his admission to the Quebec bar in 1982 to his appointment to the bench in 2002.
Clément Gascon
(514) 370-8745 sdrymer@woods.qc.ca Stephen L. Drymer is a partner and head of international arbitration at Woods LLP. His practice is focused on domestic and international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. He acts as counsel, as well as arbitrator and mediator, in domestic and international commercial and investment disputes, and advises parties on a broad range of issues associated with the design, negotiation, drafting, and implementation of dispute resolution agreements and strategies. Educated and trained in both common law and civil, he has acted in disputes in a wide array of industries, involving the laws of many jurisdictions, in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings. He is as well very active as counsel and arbitrator in the resolution of sport-related disputes in Canada and internationally. A member of various institutional rosters of arbitrators and mediators, he is recognized as one of the world’s leading international lawyers and arbitrators.
Stephen L. Drymer
(514) 379-2326 ccameron@woods.qc.ca A partner at Woods LLP, Cara Cameron is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator trusted by clients with their most challenging commercial disputes, specifically in matters concerning contractual and shareholders’ rights, as well as white collar investigations and defence, commercial fraud, asset tracing, and recovery proceedings. She has substantial experience in managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional cases, where success depends on the effective coordination of multi-professional teams. She has a wide range of experience in complex litigation before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She also excels in out-of-court dispute resolution and provides strategic advice on risk mitigation strategies.
Cara Cameron
