MANAGING PARTNER
Lisa A. Borsook (Managing Partner) admitted to bar, 1982, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (LL.B., 1980). Since joining WeirFoulds LLP in 1982, Lisa has risen to the upper ranks in its management as well as in her practice areas of property development and commercial leasing. She is currently the Managing Partner of the firm, as well as the chairperson of its Leasing Practice Group. She is also a member of the Business Law Practice Group, Women Lawyers Group and Infrastructure and Public Projects Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP. The firm was recently ranked #1 in real estate law in Toronto and Ontario by Best Lawyers in Canada. Lisa has extensive experience in commercial real estate matters with particular emphasis on sophisticated leasing and property development issues. She has been recognized as a leading practitioner by LEXPERT® and named one of the best lawyers in Canada in her practice area by Best Lawyer in Canada. Lisa contributes extensively to legal and scholarly publications, is a regular speaker at legal conferences and an accomplished author. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Leasing; Property Development; Business Law.Email: Lisa A. Borsook
PARTNERS
Caroline E. Abela (Partner) admitted to bar, 2002, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1997); University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 2000). Caroline Abela is a determined litigator with a broad range of experience in complex litigation matters. Caroline practises in all areas of litigation with an emphasis on commercial and corporate litigation, estate and constitutional litigation. She has also acted as a court appointed independent supervising solicitor in the execution of an Anton Piller Order. Caroline has appeared as counsel before all levels of courts in Ontario and also appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Constitutional Law; Administrative Law; Trusts and Estates.Email: Caroline E. Abela
Glenn W. Ackerley (Partner) admitted to bar, 1989, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1984; LL.B., 1987). Glenn Ackerley practises construction law, representing clients from across the construction industry, in all aspects of projects and construction-related disputes. Most often Glenn fills the role of a "project lawyer", providing ongoing advice from the start through to completion of a project. Glenn practises exclusively in the area of construction law. He represents clients from across the construction industryincluding public and private owners, developers, contractors, subtrades, suppliers, and consultantsin a variety of construction-related matters. He is regularly consulted about negotiating and preparing construction and consultant contracts, procurement and tendering issues, and risk avoidance strategies. When disputes arise, Glenn acts for clients from both the ICI and residential sectors in construction lien and trust claims, bond claims, and construction delay and deficiency claims. Glenn is active in the industry, participating on boards, committees and working groups to support and improve the industry. Glenn is a Director of the Toronto Construction Association and the Vice-Chair - Finance. He sits on the Executive of the Construction Section of the Ontario Bar Association, the Ontario Construction Advisory Council, and the COCA Lien Act Subcommittee. He developed and taught the Construction Law course at the Department of Architectural Science of Ryerson University for many years. The course covered a whole range of issues, including contract and negligence law, tendering, construction liens, damages and dispute resolution. He has written several published articles and given presentations on legal topics to both industry and legal groups including seminars at the Annual Symposium of the Ontario General Contractors Association and the Admission Course of the Ontario Association of Architects. Appreciating the important role played by alternative dispute resolution, Glenn has trained and gained experience in both mediation and arbitration, acting as counsel, mediator and arbitrator. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Employment Law; Labour Law; Mediation and Arbitration.Email: Glenn W. Ackerley
Sylvia P. Adriano (Partner) born Toronto, Ontario, July 31, 1974; admitted to bar, 2001, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., high distinction, 1996); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1999). Sylvia Adriano practises all aspects of commercial real estate law, acting on the purchase, sale and financing of retail, commercial and industrial properties. She acts for a wide variety of clients in a variety of real estate transactions. Her practice encompasses all types of real estate transactions, including the purchase, sale and financing of retail, commercial and industrial properties. Sylvia also provides advice on land development and acts for clients involved in the acquisition, investment, development and management of real property. She assists her clients with all aspects of their real estate development projects and has negotiated a wide variety of agreements in connection with the acquisition and development of properties throughout Canada. Sylvia's practice has a particular emphasis on retail, big box retail, industrial facilities and shopping centres. Member - Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto Lawyers Association and Women's Law Association of Ontario. Member: Ontario Bar Association (Member, Real Property Section). Transactions: Acts for major retailers with respect to its purchase and development of new stores throughout Ontario; Purchase of various Ontario heritage properties with associated financings; Cross-border syndicated loan financing of a portfolio of Canadian industrial properties with Bank of America and MassMutual Life Insurance Company; Shopping centre purchase and sale transactions. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate.Email: Sylvia P. Adriano
Raj Anand (Partner) admitted to bar, 1980, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1975); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1978). Raj Anand is a senior civil litigation, administrative and human rights lawyer and a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Raj practises in the areas of human rights, constitutional and administrative law, labour relations, civil litigation, professional negligence and discipline. He is a former Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and presently acts for complainants and respondents before the Ontario and Canadian Human Rights Commissions. He has acted as a Board of Inquiry under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Police Services Act, as Co-Chair of the University of Toronto Tribunal and as counsel to a number of administrative tribunals. He is now the Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre. Raj has spoken and written on diverse subjects including trial, appellate and administrative advocacy and human rights. He graduated with the Dean's Key in 1978 from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He served in 1986-1987 as a Task Force to the Ontario Government on the Law Concerning Trespass to Publicly-used Property as it Affects Youth and Minorities. His experience as an adjunct professor includes "The New Administrative Law" (2000, 2006 and 2009) in the LL.M. programme at Osgoode Hall Law School and "Diversity and the Legal Profession" at U of T's Faculty of Law. Raj is recognized as a leading practitioner in Toronto in the areas of Workplace Human Rights and Litigation - Public Law in the Canadian Legal Directory by Lexpert and is included in Best Lawyers in Canada in the specialties of Administrative and Public Law and Labour and Employment Law. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association; South Asian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Administrative; Arbitration; Charter of Rights; Constitutional; Civil; Human Rights; Insurance Law; Labour; Professional Malpractice; Professional Discipline; Professional Negligence; Wrongful Dismissal.Email: Raj Anand
Peter L. Biro (Partner) admitted to bar, Ontario, 1993. Education: McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (LL.B/B.C.L., 1991); Fern Gertrude Kennedy Prize in Jurisprudence; Nathan Cotler Memorial Prize in Human Rights Law; McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (M.A., 1985); University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, (B.A., 1982). Peter Biro is a leading commercial and civil litigator and employment lawyer. He is known for his passionate advocacy and his commitment to effective pro-active problem solving and crisis management on behalf of his clients. Peter's practice includes all aspects of civil, corporate and commercial litigation and dispute resolution including: commercial contract disputes, employment law, human rights, franchising and commercial leasing disputes, mortgage enforcement, oppression and other corporate litigation, partnership and shareholder disputes, products liability, debtor/creditor disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency, including proceedings under the BIA and CCAA, enforcement of foreign judgments and ADR, including mediation. Peter is also a leading member of the employment law bar, providing employment advice, guidance on positive pro-active employee relations, and representation in human rights, privacy, sexual harassment, workers' compensation, occupational health and safety and employment termination issues, including just cause, wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal and post-termination restrictions and preparing and advising on employment agreements and employee and policy handbooks, dispute resolution and technology use. Peter also appears frequently on television, radio and in other media to comment on news stories of special interest and on developments in the law. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Employment Law; Civil Litigation; Litigation; Human Rights; Corporate Commercial.Email: Peter L. Biro
David S. Brown (Partner) admitted to bar, 1989, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.A., with distinction, 1984); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1987). David Brown is a recognized practitioner in the area of mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate finance. David practises in the areas of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Finance. He handles all manner of M&A , Private Equity and Debt transactions with an emphasis on: - private company sales and divestitures; - middle-market company mergers and acquisitions; and - the Canadian component of institutional fund purchases and divestitures. David has also developed an active international practice representing finance firms in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and London. David has spoken extensively on the topics of Mergers and Acquisitions transactions and Private Equity investments. He also possesses an admiration for venture stage entrepreneurs and takes on a select number of venture stage engagements each year, providing structuring advice, mentoring and financing contacts to worthy emerging companies. David sits on the board and is an officer of a number of public, private and charitable endeavours. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Mergers and Acquisitions; Private Equity; Corporate Finance.Email: David S. Brown
John M. Buhlman (Partner) admitted to bar, 1981, Ontario. Education: University of Waterloo (B.A.Sc., 1976); University of Windsor (LL.B., 1979). John Buhlman is an experienced litigator who acts on complex environmental and commercial litigation. A key part of his practice involves advising clients on regulatory compliance with environmental laws. John is the former head of the firm's litigation practice. With degrees in both engineering and law, he practises in the areas of environmental law, litigation, and administrative law, and has appeared as counsel on matters in all levels of the courts in Ontario, and before several administrative tribunals, including the Environmental Review Tribunal, the Board of Directors of Chiropractic, the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal, the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons. John also acts as a mediator and arbitrator and is a Mediation and Arbitration Member of the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Ontario. John assists clients in resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. He acts regularly in complex cases involving commercial disputes, injunctions, real estate issues, shareholder disputes, environmental claims, environmental law issues, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, insurance matters, class actions, and torts. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Litigation; Administrative Law.Email: John M. Buhlman
John D. Campbell (Partner) admitted to bar, 1980, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1975); University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 1978). John Campbell is a seasoned litigator with extensive trial experience. He is known for his common sense advice, his forthright manner and his strategic thinking. John takes pride in being accessible, responsive and efficient. He is able to clearly analyze a problem, develop a successful strategy and then implement the strategy in a cost effective manner. John's varied practice involves commercial matters, employment law, real estate disputes, partnership issues, human rights and insurance. He has conducted numerous trials and has appeared before several administrative tribunals, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. John's work comes from referrals from previous clients and other lawyers. He also acts for a group of long standing clients who appreciate his determined and personal attention to their needs. John's work has given him insight into a wide variety of activities, including: commercial real estate, real estate brokerage, franchising, pork production, mutual fund management, banking, professional partnerships, insurance, restaurants, regulated professions, standards measurement and adult entertainment. John has been a member of WeirFoulds' Management Committee since 2004. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Employment Law; Insurance Related Litigaiton.Email: John D. Campbell
Krista R. Chaytor (Partner) admitted to bar, 2000, Ontario. Education: ESC Rennes School of Business (Undergraduate Certificate in International Business); Memorial University of Newfoundland (B.Com., 1995); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1998). Krista Chaytor is an experienced litigator with a practice focused on business litigation. Krista has experience litigating a large number of business disputes including those related to shareholder rights and remedies, trademarks, copyright and other intellectual property, real estate, leasing and employment. Krista is adept at handling complex business litigation. She has appeared at all levels of Ontario courts, numerous tribunals and the Federal Court. Krista also has experience in alternate dispute resolution and effectively provides advice and opinions that result in practical business solutions for her clients. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Krista R. Chaytor
Alec K. Clute (Partner) admitted to bar, 1985, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1980; LL.B., 1983). Alec Clute has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial real estate involving business, government and not-for-profit clients. Alec specializes in all aspects of commercial real estate, including acquisitions, dispositions and financings, specialized land agreements, land development and conservation. He has acted for business corporations, municipalities, not-for-profit and charitable organizations, individuals and estates. He also advises charities and not-for-profits on land and related areas. Member: Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate; Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations.Email: Alec K. Clute
Jeffrey G. Cowan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1978, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1972); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1975; LL.M., 1983); Oxford University (Dip.L., 1977). Jeff Cowan is recognized as one of Canada's leading public law litigators. He acts as counsel before administrative tribunals and the trial and appellate courts in many aspects of public law, including professional self-regulation and discipline, judicial review of government decision-making, freedom of information and privacy matters, municipal and provincial planning and environmental approvals, municipal assessment and taxation, health, education, alcohol and gaming, legislative drafting and government relations, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In addition, Jeff regularly litigates in matters relating to real property, including purchase and sale disputes, lease and contract interpretation, expropriation, valuation, taxation, boundary and ownership issues, Aboriginal land claims, and arbitration proceedings, including acting as an arbitrator. Jeff has argued many of the leading casesincluding in the Supreme Court of Canadain the areas of tribunal jurisdiction and independence, Ministerial discretion, standard of judicial review, equality rights, constitutionality and interpretation of taxation and valuation legislation and remedies, freedom of information, aboriginal land claims and remedies, ownership of waterfront property, and the interpretation of commercial leases. Member: Ontario Bar Association (Executive member and past Chair of Administrative Law section and past Council Member). Practice Areas: Litigation; Government; Property.Email: Jeffrey G. Cowan
Lori M. Duffy (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Ontario. Education: McMaster University (B.A., 1979); University of Ottawa (LL.B., 1982); Osgoode Hall Law School (Current Candidate for LLM in Trusts Law, 2009); University of Windsor/Stitt Feld Handy Group (2009 ADR Certificate of Achievement). Lori Duffy specializes in wills, trusts and estate planning. Lori heads the firm's private wealth and estate planning practice. In 1995, she expanded her successful commercial real estate practice to include assisting the firm's clients in managing and transferring their assets through the use of business succession plans, trusts and wills. Her practice includes all areas of trusts, wills and estate administration, including work under the Substitute Decisions Act. Lori is the Ontario Editor of the "Estate & Trust Reports" (Carswell). Lori also authors an electronic newsletter through Carswell publications called, "WeirFoulds Estates & Trusts". Lori was co-editor of the Ontario Bar Association Trusts and Estates section newsletter "Deadbeat" and was the editor of "Without Prejudice", the Women's Law Association newsletter (1989-1991). Lori is currently completing her Masters of Law in Trusts Law. She is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners. Lori is also a Past President of the Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs; a former member of the Executive of the Women's Law Association of Ontario; and the former Vice-Chairperson of the Real Property Section of the Ontario Bar Association. She has been a seminar instructor at the Bar Admission Course, has lectured in many seminars for the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Institute, the International Bar Association, and regularly addresses community groups. Member: Ontario Bar Association; International Bar Association. Practice Areas: Wills; Estate Planning; Trusts.Email: Lori M. Duffy
Wayne T. Egan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1990, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.Comm., 1985); Queen's University (LL.B., 1988). Wayne Egan practises securities and corporate law, and advises clients involved in raising money, considering and implementing going public transactions and meeting obligations existing in the public markets. Wayne specializes in securities and corporate law, with a focus on financing work. Since 1998 he has headed the firm's securities practice. He is experienced in advising private and public corporations on various financing and regulatory matters, including initial public offerings, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and stock exchange listing applications. Wayne has acted for investment dealers and investment advisors in a broad range of financing transactions. He has also represented investment and mutual funds with regard to regulatory registrations and qualification for distribution across Canada. His corporate law experience also includes matters relating to share purchase and sale agreements, shareholder agreements and commercial contracts. Wayne has recently acted on: - financings for resource, high-tech and industrial companies in Canada; - cross border initial public offerings; and - registrations for investment fund clients, counselors and dealers. He has presented at client and professional seminars and authored several papers on corporate governance issues. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial; Corporate; Securities.Email: Wayne T. Egan
Bruce H. Engell (Partner) admitted to bar, 1989, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (LL.B., 1987). Bruce Engell's practice focuses on land use and environmental issues, disputes and related litigation matters. Bruce's practice focuses on issues respecting the development, use and ownership of land, including municipal, planning, and environmental matters, title and lease disputes, industrial contamination, waste management facilities, road allowances and building permits. He has appeared as counsel in many significant court and Ontario Municipal Board matters. Bruce is the past chair of the firm's Municipal and Planning group, the co-author of the book, Remedies and the Sale of Land 2nd ed., and the editor of the firm's Ontario Planning Practice, a two volume annotated loose-leaf publication. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Environmental; Municipal; Zoning, Planning and Land Use; Litigation.Email: Bruce H. Engell
Daniel P. Ferguson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1978); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1982). Dan Ferguson brings a wide range and depth of experience to a commercial/infrastructure projects practice that involves financing, M&A, corporate reorganization and general advice for numerous commercial clients of all types, as well as noted expertise in meeting the needs of both the public and private sectors in public infrastructure projects and public/private collaborations. Dan's practice includes a diverse range of corporate and commercial law areas and extensive work in various Public Infrastructure projects. He provides legal advice to a variety of corporations and financial institutions. A large part of Dan's practice is devoted to acting as a "legal counsel" resource for many corporate/commercial clients. His expertise includes commercial financing, asset and share acquisitions and divestitures, corporate reorganizations, commercial leasing and development, contract law, and general business and corporate law. Dan is co-chair of the firm's infrastructure and public projects practice and has written and presented extensively in the area of public infrastructure and public/private collaborations. Dan has worked on the structuring and financing of many public/private partnerships. He has in-depth expertise on appropriate risk allocation and project structuring and documentation in the design, build, operation and financing of such projects, and has advised both the private and public sectors in many successful and high profile projects of this type. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Infrastructure and Public Projects; Corporate and Commercial Transactions; Commercial Real Estate.Email: Daniel P. Ferguson
Ryan M. Filson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1999, Ontario. Education: University of Saskatchewan (B.A., 1993); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1997). Ryan Filson has a diverse business law practice with an emphasis on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions transactions, equity and debt financings and related regulatory matters. Ryan represents buyers and sellers in acquisitions and divestitures in the Canadian market as well as advising on Canadian issues present in international transactions. He also acts for investors or investee corporations and principals in private equity and venture capital transactions. In his financing practice, Ryan represents both lenders and borrowers in connection with a range of debt instruments including credit agreements, second lien facilities and convertible debentures and notes. Ryan regularly advises clients in a wide range of industries including the alternative energy, manufacturing, finance, travel and tourism, television, environmental technology, building products, consumer products, consulting, restaurant, modeling, retail and information technology industries. Member: Canadian Bar Association; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Finance; Corporate and Commercial Transactions.Email: Ryan M. Filson
Bryan Finlay, Q.C. (Partner) admitted to bar, 1969, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., Hons., 1964; LL.B., 1967). Bryan Finlay QC is the head of the firm's litigation practice. He is recognized as one of the top litigation lawyers in Canada. Mr. Finlay, with his usual consummate skill..." (Ontario Court of Appeal) Toronto Dominion Bank v. Leigh Instruments Ltd. (Trustee of) (1999) 45 O.R. (3d) 417, at p. 419 Bryan's counsel practice is broad and has engaged the most complex commercial, constitutional, tort and public law issues. These have included issues of corporate espionage, spoliation, fraud, shareholder rights, directors and officers' responsibilities, financial reporting obligations, responsibilities and obligations of government and its various agencies, securities regulation, fiduciary obligations, defamation, policing, and competition law issues. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association; Commercial Bar Association (England & Whales). Honorary Overseas Member Fellow: The American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Bryan Finlay, Q.C.
Sean G. Foran (Partner) admitted to bar, 1990, Ontario. Education: Carleton University (B.A., 1985); University of Ottawa (LL.B., cum laude, 1988); University of Edinburgh, Scotland (LL.M., with distinction, 1995). Sean Foran practises real estate, expropriation, business, government and employment litigation. Sean practises primarily in the areas of real estate and commercial litigation, expropriation, government and employment disputes. He regularly appears before various boards and tribunals and all levels of court up to the Ontario Court of Appeal. Sean is Past President of the Ontario Expropriation Association. He has written and delivered papers for conferences and seminars on various topics, including expropriation and commercial leasing. Sean is also an instructor at The Advocates' Society. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Expropriation; Government; Litigation.Email: Sean G. Foran
Albert G. Formosa (Partner) admitted to bar, 1986, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1981); Queen's University (LL.B., 1984). Al Formosa is a litigator with extensive experience dealing with complex commercial litigation. Al practises in the area of civil litigation with a particular focus on trademark, copyright, information technology and other intellectual property, shareholder rights and remedies, business valuations, commercial disputes, employment matters, real estate, commercial leasing and insolvency matters. Al is also actively involved in providing advice to universities on research, academic and disciplinary matters as well as intellectual property and risk management issues. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Albert G. Formosa
Sanjay M. Joshi (Partner) admitted to bar, 2000, British Columbia; 2002, Ontario. Education: Simon Fraser University (B.A., 1995); Queen's University (LL.B., 1999). Sanjay Joshi practices corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on financing transactions. Specializing in securities law, Sanjay was recognized as one of Canada's 2007 Lexpert "Rising Stars - Leading Lawyers Under 40". He is listed as a "Lawyer to Watch" in the 2008 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in the category of "Top US Cross Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada", and is nominated as a "Leading Lawyer" in the categories of "Mining Law" and "Mid-Market Corporate Lawyers" for the 2009 Lexpert Directory. Sanjay is an adjunct professor of law teaching "Advanced Securities Law" at the Faculty of Law of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and is a member of both the British Columbia and Ontario Bars. Sanjay sits on the board, and is chair of the audit committee, for several companies, both public and private. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Securities.Email: Sanjay M. Joshi
Ralph H. Kroman (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1979); Queen's University (LL.B., 1982). Ralph Kroman is a business lawyer who loves challenges. He is known for his acute problem solving abilities. Ralph practises business law and has provided his expertise to many significant mergers, financings, acquisitions, reorganizations and joint ventures. Ralph is involved in all aspects of law affecting the organization and operations of corporations and other business entities. He is adept at helping clients deal with intellectual property and technology matters such as the acquisition, licensing and protection of copyright, trade- marks and confidential information. He provides advice to Canadian and foreign public companies and also to smaller entrepreneurial firms. His clients are in many industries including automotive, transportation, manufacturing, knowledge-based, finance and professional service industries. He creates solutions for complex corporate transactions but also helps entrepreneurs to start up and grow new businesses. Ralph's expertise includes the public sector and he acts for government and regulatory agencies who are in unique legal environments. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate and Commercial Transactions; Intellectual Property and Information Technology; Government and Regulatory Agencies.Email: Ralph H. Kroman
Barnet H. Kussner (Partner) admitted to bar, 1991, Ontario. Education: McGill University (B.A., 1985); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1989). Barnet Kussner is a seasoned advocate with extensive experience acting for public and private sector clients, primarily on municipal, land use planning and healthcare sector issues. Barnet is the co-head of the firm's municipal, planning and development practice. He has specialized experience in many areas of litigation, municipal and administrative law, and has acted in matters at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Barnet's municipal practice includes land use planning and development, licensing and regulation, municipal capital facilities and public-private ventures, enforcement of and challenges to municipal by-laws, constitutional litigation, sign regulation, liquor licence matters, adult entertainment issues, conflict of interest issues, employment and expropriation. He frequently appears before Courts, the Ontario Municipal Board, municipal councils and Committees of Adjustment, and has gained extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and negotiating agreements. His clients include municipalities and other public bodies, as well as entrepreneurs, individuals, and groups who have vested interests or do business with them. Barnet has also gained extensive experience in litigation concerning constitutional issues, statutory interpretation, leasing disputes, employment matters, liability of corporate officers and directors, professional negligence, contract matters, and neighbour disputes, as well as alternative dispute resolution of such issues. Barnet's litigation practice also concentrates on appellate advocacy, particularly judicial review and appeals from statutory agencies. Barnet has accumulated a great deal of experience representing clients in the healthcare sector who require specialized legal services in the areas of administrative law, dispute resolution and land use planning. This includes: representing healthcare providers and physicians with respect to physician privileges, employment and contractual issues; adjudication of real property rights; adjudication of privacy and confidentiality issues in the health care context; and representation of health care providers before municipal councils and administrative tribunals on the start-up or expansion of specialized health care facilities. Barnet has been a lecturer on development law at Ryerson University. He has also contributed a number of articles, some of which are set out below. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Municipal and Land Use Planning; Litigation; Healthcare Sector.Email: Barnet H. Kussner
Ian J. Lord (Partner) admitted to bar, 1977, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.A., 1970); University of Toronto (M.Sc.Pl., 1972); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1975). Ian Lord is recognized as one of Canada's leading counsel, litigators and facilitators in dispute resolution involving land development problems. Since 1977, Ian's practice has concentrated on provincial, regional, and municipal development approvals for private interest and public sector entities. His practice in administrative and public law includes counsel to development companies, municipalities, university and hospital corporations, foundation, recreation, ratepayer, and disciplinary boards and tribunals. His specialties include planning applications, expropriations, local government law, municipal and hospital redevelopment and restructuring, court and tribunal work, and complex public-private partnership project approvals. Ian is counsel to several municipalities and boards. Ian specializes in complex leading edge property development disputes. His counsel includes complex P3 assembly and development projects and all manner of site specific project approvals. He has defended and projected municipal public sector objectives. Equally, he has been a leading practitioner in scoping court and tribunal attitudes to the use of interim control by-laws and compelling the issuance of building permits and planning permissions or entitlement. He is a leading practitioner in specialized areas relating to the use and application of provincial policy, heritage designations, community improvement plans, complex development approvals, planning advocacy and development charges. He is a practitioner, lecturer, editor and author. Member: Ontartio Bar Association. Practice Areas: Land Development; Municipal and Land Use Planning; Litigation.Email: Ian J. Lord
Bradley N. McLellan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1979, Ontario. Education: University of Western Ontario (B.A., 1974); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1977). Bradley McLellan has extensive experience in infrastructure and public projects, including procurement, risk allocation, public-private partnership arrangements, concession agreements, ground leases, design-build agreements and operation and management agreements. He also is a recognized expert in the purchase, sale and financing of commercial real estate. Brad is a co-chair of the firm's infrastructure and public projects practice and heads the commercial real estate practice. Brad has acted for numerous public sector clients in the development of significant infrastructure and other public projects. Projects include rapid transit, a people mover system, sports and entertainment centres, and a mixed use downtown redevelopment. In addition, Brad has extensive expertise in the purchase, sale, and financing of land, and he has provided advice on environmental issues to owners, purchasers and lenders. Brad is the co-author of Real Estate Law (4th edition, 1992), and he was a co-author of Condominium: The Law and Administration in Ontario (1st edition, 1981). He has written extensively in the areas of infrastructure and public projects, real estate law, mortgage law, condominium law, and environmental issues in the purchase, sale and mortgaging of real estate. Brad taught the Real Estate Transactions course at the University of Toronto Law School for 17 years as an adjunct Professor and at Osgoode Hall Law School for 3 years. He has also taught in the part-time Real Estate LL.M. program at Osgoode Hall Law School. Brad has consistently been named in professional directories as a leading practitioner in Toronto in real estate law, property financing and development. Member: Ontario Bar Association; International Bar Association. Practice Areas: Infrastructure and Public Projects; Commercial Real Estate; Land Development and Municipal Law.Email: Bradley N. McLellan
Sue A. Metcalfe (Partner) admitted to bar, 1992, Ontario. Education: University of Waterloo (B.E.S., 1974); Carleton University (M.A., 1976); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1990). Sue Metcalfe acts on large, complex files in the fraud, commercial, environmental, planning and construction law areas. Sue began her career as a municipal planner and worked for seven years in the Real Estate Division of Ontario Hydro. Since being called to the Bar, she has practised in the fraud, commercial, environmental, planning and construction law areas. She has appeared as counsel before various levels of Ontario Courts and the Ontario Municipal Board, and has experience in alternate dispute resolution. Sue has acted for: a major commercial entity in a design fees dispute involving an external service provider; a regional municipality in a construction delay claim relating to a sewage treatment plant; claimants and public authorities in arbitrating compensation issues relating to expropriations; private, public and institutional landowners requiring municipal or property advice and representation before the Ontario Municipal Board and court; clients in a range of general commercial and construction matters including the tendering process, contractual disputes, and negligence; and parties involved in family disputes. Retained by Plaintiffs in lengthy and complex proceedings against former employees of the government and outside parties in connection with allegedly fraudulent real estate transactions and bid rigging in environmental assessment and clean up contracts. This case involved various types of fraud schemes, orders to preserve documentary evidence (Anton Piller Orders) and jurisdictional challenges. Ontario Realty Corp. v. P. Gabriele & Sons Ltd. (December 4, 2001), 57 O.R. (3d) 54 ; 20 C.P.C. (5th) 332, (Ontario Superior Court of Justice) Toronto French School v. Toronto (City) (June 11, 1999), 39 O.M.B.R. 64 ; 1999 CarswellOnt 5319, (Ontario Municipal Board) Friends of Eden Mills Inc. v. Eramosa (Township) (June 19, 1998), 47 M.P.L.R. (2d) 75 ; 111 O.A.C. 81, (Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court) Urquhart v. Lake of Bays (Township) Committee of Adjustment, (March 5, 1998), 36 O.M.B.R. 403 ; 1998 CarswellOnt 6145, (Ontario Municipal Board) Imperial Oil Ltd. v. Richmond Hill (Town) (June 9, 1995), 32 O.M.B.R. 167 ; 1995 CarswellOnt 5202, (Ontario Municipal Board) K.J. Beamish Holdings Ltd. v. Richmond Hill (Town) (March 21, 1995), 32 O.M.B.R. 161 ; 1995 CarswellOnt 5213, (Ontario Municipal Board) TVI (Canada) Inc. v. Halton (Regional Municipality) (May 3, 1994), 18 O.R. (3d) 295 ; 1994 CarswellOnt 843, (Ontario Court of Justice, General Division) Sue Metcalfe acts on large, complex files in the fraud, commercial, environmental, planning and construction law areas. Sue began her career as a municipal planner and worked for seven years in the Real Estate Division of Ontario Hydro. Since being called to the Bar, she has practised in the fraud, commercial, environmental, planning and construction law areas. She has appeared as counsel before various levels of Ontario Courts and the Ontario Municipal Board, and has experience in alternate dispute resolution. Sue has acted for: a major commercial entity in a design fees dispute involving an external service provider; a regional municipality in a construction delay claim relating to a sewage treatment plant; claimants and public authorities in arbitrating compensation issues relating to expropriations; private, public and institutional landowners requiring municipal or property advice and representation before the Ontario Municipal Board and court; clients in a range of general commercial and construction matters including the tendering process, contractual disputes, and negligence; and parties involved in family disputes. Notable Mandates Retained by Plaintiffs in lengthy and complex proceedings against former employees of the government and outside parties in connection with allegedly fraudulent real estate transactions and bid rigging in environmental assessment and clean up contracts. This case involved various types of fraud schemes, orders to preserve documentary evidence (Anton Piller Orders) and jurisdictional challenges. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Land Use Planning.Email: Sue A. Metcalfe
W. A. Derry Millar (Partner) admitted to bar, 1974, Ontario. Education: University of Saskatchewan (B.A., 1966); Dalhousie Law School (LL.B., 1971). Derry Millar is a skilled and dedicated advocate with a broad civil litigation and administrative law practice who brings his skills in dispute resolution and as an advocate to his work as an arbitrator and mediator. Derry was elected on June 26, 2008 and re-elected on May 28, 2009, as the Treasurer (President) of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Governing Body for Ontario Lawyers and Paralegals) to lead the 41,000 Ontario lawyers and 2,400 licensed paralegals to June, 2010. Derry is the fourth partner in the history of the firm to have this honour bestowed upon him. In over 34 years of practice, Derry has developed a well-earned reputation as a senior counsel in a wide variety of areas of the law. Derry's practice includes Aviation, Commercial, Estates, Environmental, Insurance, Products Liability, Intellectual Property and Real Estate. Derry has dealt with complex commercial, environmental, aviation, products liability and estate cases. Derry has acted in class actions for both plaintiffs and defendants and has acted in a variety of class actions as counsel to class counsel on issues arising in the proceedings, including fee approval motions. Derry's skill as an advocate was recognized when he was elected in 2001 as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Derry has appeared in all levels of courts in Ontario, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He has appeared before various administrative tribunals, including the Environmental Appeal Board, Ontario Municipal Board, Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal, Anti-Dumping Tribunal, Ontario Energy Board, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. He has also appeared before Municipal Councils and Boards. Derry has acted as an arbitrator on commercial and real estate cases, as mediator on commercial and insurance cases and as a decision-maker on police discipline and professional discipline cases. He has acted as an arbitrator for domain name disputes under the Canadian Internet Registration Authority domain name disputes. Derry acted as Chair of Boards of Inquiry established under the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force Complaints Act, 1984 and the Police Services Act from 1985 to July 1996 to hear complaints against police officers. As a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Derry has been a chair and member of the hearing and appeal panels on many cases involving complaints against lawyers. Derry clerked with Mr. Justice Roland Ritchie of The Supreme Court of Canada, 1971-1972. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Environmental; Litigation; Arbitration and Mediation; Aviation and Products Liability.Email: W. A. Derry Millar
Angela Mockford (Partner) admitted to bar, 1997, Ontario; 2006, Alberta. Education: Brock University (B.A., Hons, 1992); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1995). Angela has been a leasing lawyer for just over ten years. After practising in-house with both a large national financial institution and a large national developer, she joined the firm in 2000. Angela has been a partner since 2007. For Angela, leasing is all about "getting the deal done" on time and on budget without sacrificing quality, the relationship, or the client's best interests. Her strengths include neg otiating and drafting all manner of lease documentation (including offers, leases and lenders' agreements), developing or improving standard forms for clients, and advising in cases of lease interpretation disputes. She is particularly known for her shopping centre and office leasing expertise. Member: Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Commercial Leasing; Property Leasing.Email: Angela Mockford
Kim Mullin (Partner) admitted to bar, 2000, Ontario. Education: University of Waterloo (B.A., with honors, 1994); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1998). Kim Mullin acts for both public sector and private sector clients in complex public law and commercial litigation matters. Kim has extensive experience before administrative tribunals and all levels of Court. Kim's litigation practice is focused on municipal law, administrative law and commercial litigation. Her municipal and administrative law practice includes jurisdictional and constitutional matters, judicial review of government decision-making, municipal election issues, business licensing issues and land use planning matters. Her commercial litigation practice includes shareholder disputes, real property disputes and breach of contract claims. Kim regularly appears before the Ontario Municipal Board and all levels of Court in Ontario and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada. Kim is Co-Chair of the firm's municipal and planning law practice and Chair of the firm's Associates Committee. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Advocates Society. Practice Areas: Municipal Law; Administrative Law; Litigation.Email: Kim Mullin
Patrick W. Nugent (Partner) admitted to bar, 1999, Ontario. Education: York University (B.A., 1994); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1997). Patrick Nugent practises all aspects of commercial real estate and land development. Patrick's practice focuses on commercial real estate and development where he acts for and advises a variety of clients in complex commercial and industrial real estate acquisitions, dispositions and financings. Patrick also provides advice to clients on land development and assists clients with the creation of co-ownership, joint venture and limited partnership structures for the acquisition, construction and development of land. Patrick has acted as in-house counsel to a major retailer and land developer. Patrick joined WeirFoulds LLP in 2005 after working for another Toronto firm where he had a broad based corporate practice which included franchising, leasing, land financing, mortgage enforcement and commercial real estate. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate and Development; Land Development.Email: Patrick W. Nugent
John O'Sullivan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1988, Ontario. Education: Exeter (B.A., 1978); University of Western Ontario (M.A., 1979); University of Ottawa (LL.B., 1986). John O'Sullivan practises civil litigation with an emphasis on real estate, business, estates and trusts litigation. He has been recognized in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada in the specialty of Trusts & Estates. Trusts and Estates Litigation: will challenges, testamentary capacity, trustee applications for directions, estate accounts disputes, claims by and against estates, dependent's relief, guardianship. Business Litigation: rectification applications; contract disputes, oppression remedies, shareholder disputes. Real Estate Litigation: rights of first refusal, options, easements, contractual rights, adverse possession; John has 20 years experience in both civil jury and non jury trial work. He practises mostly in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, but has also appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Trial Division and Court of Appeal of the Federal Court of Canada. A native of London U.K., John maintains his many legal, business, social and family connections there and travels there regularly. He lives in mid-town Toronto with his wife and two young children. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: John O'Sullivan
John L. Pandell (Partner) admitted to bar, 1988, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto; University of Western Ontario (M.B.A., 1993); University of Ottawa (LL.B., 1986). John Pandell is a corporate and commercial partner who provides advice to major corporations on significant matters. He has a leading practice in commercial real estate development. John is the former head of the firm's corporate practice. He has an MBA from the Ivey School of Business. John leads a team on all aspects of commercial real estate, primarily in the area of land acquisition and development, with an emphasis on big box retail for major clients, including Wal-Mart. John also combines his business background in advising companies on corporate matters, including commercial agreements, the purchase and sale of businesses and the reorganization of companies. Member: Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Commercial Real Estate.Email: John L. Pandell
Kenneth Prehogan (Partner) admitted to bar, 1976, Quebec; 1980, Ontario. Education: McGill University (B.Comm., 1972; B.C.L., 1975; LL.B., 1978). Kenneth Prehogan is known for his uncompromising representation of clients involved in some of Canada's most challenging civil litigation matters. Ken is trial and appellate counsel in all manner of corporate, commercial and real estate matters. He has represented public and private companies, directors and shareholders, financial institutions, provincial governments, crown corporations, municipalities, public utilities, real estate developers, home builders, insurers, pension funds, major accounting firms, receivers, trustees, executors and beneficiaries. His cases involve a wide variety of issues including contract interpretation, commercial leasing, environmental, corporate oppression, winding up, director and officer liability, enforcement of real and personal property security, construction and professional liability. He acted as counsel in various capacities in the insolvencies of numerous Canadian and international companies. He has extensive experience in pre-judgment remedies including injunctions, receiverships, seizures before judgment of real and personal property, Anton Pillar orders and certificates of pending litigation. As a member of the Bars of Ontario and Quebec, Ken's education, training and experience is in both the common and civil law systems. He has also appeared before the Newfoundland Supreme Court. Ken has spoken and written on a variety of business litigation subjects for The Canadian Bar Association, Law Society of Upper Canada, Insight, The Canadian Institute, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Association of Forensic Investigators of Canada. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Bureau du Quebec. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Kenneth Prehogan
J. Gregory Richards (Partner) admitted to bar, 1982, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1976); Queen's University (LL.B., 1979); University of Michigan (LL.M., 1981; S.J.D., 1982). Greg Richards is a senior trial and appeal lawyer who is recognized in the profession as a leading corporate and commercial litigator. He has also acted in a number of precedent-setting public law cases. With over 25 years of experience, Greg has litigated significant cases in a broad range of fields that include corporate and commercial matters, complex contract issues, constitutional law, government liability, municipal law, securities, shareholder remedies, tort claims, injunctions, fiduciary duties, fraud, property disputes, tax, bad faith claims, partnerships, joint ventures, policing, competition, aboriginal law, abuse of public office and health regulation. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Superior Court of Justice and the Tax Court of Canada, as well as a variety of regulatory tribunals including the Ontario Securities Commission. Within WeirFoulds, Greg has been the Managing Partner of the firm and head of the litigation practice. He has also chaired several other firm committees. Outside the firm, he is actively engaged in the profession and broader community. He has been a Director of The Advocates' Society and is an Executive member of the OBA's Constitutional Law Section. Greg has been an award-winning teacher of trial advocacy at Queen's University Law School and teaches and speaks in a variety of other venues. He has published many professional papers, including his doctoral thesis in the Duke Law Journal. Greg has been recognized by the profession, being rated at the highest level by Martindale-Hubbell and designated as a leading practitioner in corporate and commercial litigation by Best Lawyers in Canada. In 2008 he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Member: Ontario Bar Association (Executive Member, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Section); Candian Bar Association. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Reported Cases: The following are examples of the cases in which Greg Richards has appeared as counsel or co-counsel. Most of these cases are reported decisions: Multi-Million Dollar Breach of Contract Case: Successfully defended the City of Guelph against a $33 million damages claim where allegations of breach of contract, bad faith, misrepresentation and abuse of public office were made. Thousands of documents were involved, examinations for discovery lasted over 40 days and extensive expert evidence was needed on damages and scientific and engineering issues. The trial lasted several months. The trial judgment is reported at Guelph (City) v. Super Blue Box Recycling Corp. (2007), 38 M.P.L.R. (4th) 267, 38 B.L.R. (4th) 1, 32 C.E.L.R. (3d) 8 (Ont. S.C.J.). The appeal judgment is reported at (2009), 58 M.P.L.R. (4th) 1, 56 B.L.R. (4th) 37 (Ont. C.A.). At an earlier stage of the case, acted for the City in successfully resisting a motion where it was alleged that the municipality had waived solicitor¿client privilege over a large number of documents: see Guelph (City) v. Super Blue Box Recycling Corp. (2004), 2 C.P.C. (6th) 276 (Ont. S.C.J.) Extensive Litigation re a Corporate "Work Out": For seven years, acted for the plaintiff in an action for an accounting and damages in connection with a highly complex corporate "work out" of a business empire involving one of Canada's largest corporate conglomerates. The litigation was extensive: documents filled approximately 1800 storage boxes, discoveries lasted 126 days, several pre-trial motions were successfully argued, and multiple experts were retained and instructed. The parties reached a settlement during the course of a mediation before trial. Leading Corporate Tax Case: In QEW 427 Dodge Chrysler, acted for the successful plaintiff in this test case brought on behalf of Ontario's automobile dealers. As a result of the decision, it was established that the province's capital tax could not be imposed on the dealers' new car inventory. After the decision, the Ontario government amended the Corporations Tax Act, but not retroactively. As a result, the auto dealers in the province achieved an 11-year corporate tax holiday and a refund process that ultimately will return in excess of an estimated $100 million to the dealers. See QEW 427 Dodge Chrysler (1991) Inc. v. Ontario (Minister of Revenue) (2002), 59 O.R. (3d) 460 160 O.A.C. 129 (Div. Ct.), aff'g, except as to costs, (2000), 49 O.R. (3d) 776 (Super. Ct. J.) and, as to costs, 50 O.R. (3d) 694 (Super. Ct. J.). Breach of Warranty / Electronic Equipment: Acted for a Texas company in a multi-million dollar claim for breach of contract and warranty concerning an electronic medical testing device it purchased to manufacture from another company. Compliance with FDA regulations, requiring highly technical expert evidence, was at issue. The case settled on favourable terms after a number of days of pre-trial examinations. Significant Income Tax Litigation: Acted for a leading not-for-profit organization in successfully defending its tax exempt status ¿ challenged by CRA ¿ before the Tax Court of Canada. See BBM Canada (formerly BBM Bureau of Measurement) v. The Queen, 2008 D.T.C. 4129, 49 B.L.R. (4th) 192, [2009] 1 C.T.C. 2117. Aboriginal Law: Acted as co-counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada for the appellants in R. v. Kapp. At issue was the constitutionality of a commercial salmon fishery in coastal British Columbia waters that was restricted by the federal government to members of three native bands, to the exclusion of other members of the public. The landmark case restates the requirements for an equality rights claim under section 15(1) of the Charter and is the first case to formulate a legal test for the validity of affirmative action programs under section 15(2) of the Charter. See R. v. Kapp, 2008 SCC 41, [2008] 2 S.C.R. 483. Procedural Fairness: Acted for the union of Toronto Transit Commission workers in seeking to set aside orders of the Ontario Labour Relations Board that found the union to have engaged in an unlawful strike in May 2006. It was argued that the Board had exceeded its jurisdiction in failing to grant the union procedural fairness before making the orders. See Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113 v. Ontario (Labour Relations Board) (2007), 88 O.R. (3d) 361, 233 O.A.C. 14, [2007] O.L.R.B. Rep. 982 (Div. Ct.). The Constitutionality of Corporal Punishment: Appeared as counsel for the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, intervenor, in a constitutional challenge to section 43 of the Criminal Code. The section purported to allow parents and teachers to use force by way of "correction" toward their children and pupils if the force did not exceed what was "reasonable in the circumstances". Although a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada declined to strike down section 43, the Court placed strict limits on the conduct that will escape criminal liability under the section. See Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law v. Canada (Attorney General), [2004] 1 S.C.R. 76, 234 D.L.R. (4th) 257, 183 O.A.C. 1 (S.C.C.), aff'g (2002), 57 O.R. (3d) 511, 207 D.L.R. (4th) 632, 90 C.R.R. 223 (C.A.), aff'g (2000), 49 O.R. (3d) 662, 188 D.L.R. (4th) 718, 76 C.R.R. (2d) 251 (Super. Ct. J.). The "Retired Judges" Case: Acted for the Canadian Bar Association, intervenor, before the Supreme Court of Canada in what has been dubbed the "Retired Judges" case. It challenged the Ontario Minister of Labour's exercise of discretion to appoint retired judges as chairs of interest arbitration boards under legislation governing labour disputes in hospitals. See C.U.P.E. v. Ontario (Minister of Labour), [2003] 1 S.C.R. 539, 226 D.L.R. (4th) 193, 173 O.A.C. 38, 51 O.R. (3d) 417, 50 Admin. L.R. (3d) 1 (S.C.C.). Controlling Governments' Taxing Powers (Re Eurig): Acted as co-counsel for Mrs. Eurig in this landmark case. The Supreme Court of Canada declared Ontario's probate fee invalid on constitutional and administrative law grounds. The Supreme Court held that Ontario had charged a tax, rather than a fee, and that such a tax could only be imposed by the provincial legislature. The Court ordered that the appellant's probate fee be refunded to her. The decision now constrains governments from imposing taxes by means other than a Bill originating in Parliament or one of the provincial legislatures. See Re Eurig Estate, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 565, 165 D.L.R. (4th) 1, 114 O.A.C. 55, 23 E.T.R. 1, 40 O.R. (3d) 160 (S.C.C.), rev'g (1997), 31 O.R. (3d) 777, 96 O.A.C. 354 (C.A.). Health Restructuring: In Russell et al. v. Health Services Restructuring Commission (Ont.), acted for the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph of the Hotel Dieu of Kingston in a judicial review application to quash Directions of the Health Services Restructuring Commission that required the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston to close. The Directions were challenged on the basis the they (i) violated the Sisters' freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Charter, (ii) were patently unreasonable, and (iii) exceeded the Commission's jurisdiction by failing to consider relevant land use planning implications and requirements. See (1998), 114 O.A.C. 280, 13 Admin. L.R. (3d) 196 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1999), 175 D.L.R. (4th) 185, 121 O.A.C. 283 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused by the Supreme Court of Canada (2000), 181 D.L.R. (4th) vii. Mortgage Litigation: In Re Glied and Confederation Life Insurance Company, successfully established a right to prepay under section 18 of the Mortgages Act (Ont.) and section 10 of the Interest Act (Can.) where the individual applicant and a corporation signed a mortgage as co-mortgagors. See (1996), 30 O.R. (3d) 579, 94 O.A.C. 274, 5 R.P.R. (3d) 161 (C.A.). Securities Litigation: (1) In Ainsley Financial Corp. v. Ontario Securities Commission (1993), 14 O.R. (3d) 280, 106 D.L.R. (4th) 507, 1 C.C.L.S. 1, (Gen. Div.), aff'd (1994), 21 O.R. (3d), 104 121 D.L.R. (4th) 79, 77 O.A.C. 155, 6 C.C.L.S. 241 (C.A.), acted as co-counsel for the successful plaintiffs in a dispute over the rule and policy-making power of the OSC. The case gave rise to a Task Force that resulted in sweeping amendments to Ontario's Securities Act. (2) In E.A. Manning Ltd. v. Ontario Securities Commission (1994), 18 O.R. (3d) 97, 3 C.C.L.S. 221 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1995), 23 O.R. (3d) 257, 125 D.L.R. (4th) 305, 80 O.A.C. 321, 7 C.C.L.S. 125 (C.A.), acted as co-counsel for the applicant in a judicial review application which demonstrated that all but two of the Commissioners of the O.S.C. were biased and therefore disqualified from sitting on the hearing. (3) In Glendale Securities Inc. v. Ontario (Securities Commission) (1996), 11 C.C.L.S. 102 (O.S.C.), app. for jud. rev. dism'd (1996), 11 C.C.L.S. 216 (Ont. Gen. Div.) an application was brought for a stay of proceedings on the grounds of bias on the part of the director of the enforcement branch and abuse of process in respect of the conduct of an investigative interview. Freedom of Expression: Successfully defended a constitutional attack on the City of Burlington's sign by-law where it was alleged the Charter-protected right to freedom of expression was infringed. See Canadian Mobile Sign Association v. City of Burlington (1994), 21 O.R. (3d) 33, 121 D.L.R. (4th) 131, 76 O.A.C. 369 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1997) 34 O.R. (3d) 134, 149 D.L.R. (4th) 292, 102 O.A.C. 140, 45 C.R.R. (2d) 229, 46 M.P.L.R. (2d) 14 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused by the Supreme Court of Canada (1998), 115 O.A.C. 200 (S.C.C.). The Helmuth Buxbaum Case: Acted for the late Helmuth Buxbaum in a number of civil actions that arose out of his conviction for arranging the murder of his wife Hanna. One case was brought by Mr. Buxbaum's nephew who was in the car at the time of the road-side shooting. The case was tried before a civil jury where extensive medical evidence was called to establish that Mr. Buxbaum lacked the mental capacity to be responsible for his actions following a massive stroke he had suffered which destroyed about 40% of his brain. The Ontario Court of Appeal ultimately reduced the jury's award of damages: Buxbaum (Litigation Guardian of) v. Buxbaum, [1997] O.J. No. 5166 (C.A.). Injunctions: Acted in several injunction proceedings including: (1) as the court-appointed Independent Supervising Solicitor in the on-going implementation of an Anton Piller Order to preserve evidence prior to trial; (2) in obtaining a court order restraining a defendant from transferring shares against our client's interests; and (3) in seeking an interlocutory injunction for the City of Burlington against an adult video store operating contrary to regulations: see Burlington (City) v. Video Matic 24 Hr. Movie Rentals Inc. (1994), 21 M.P.L.R. (2d) 217, 34 C.P.C. (3d) 54 (Ont. Gen. Div.) and 1356904 Ontario Inc. v. Burlington (City) (2002), 31 M.P.L.R. (3d) 117 (Ont. Div. Ct.). Constructive and Resulting Trusts: Conducted a trial where the issue was whether a block of land transferred to the City of Guelph to prevent development 17 years earlier due to a lack of services at the time was being held by the municipality in a resulting trust for the developer. See University Village (Guelph) Ltd. v. Guelph (City) (1992), 22 R.P.R. (2d) 107, 9 M.P.L.R. (2d) 50 (Ont. Gen. Div.). Shareholder Disputes / Oppression: Acted as co-counsel in a case involving allegations by a minority shareholder of oppression in a corporation created by the late Harold E. Ballard to effect an estate freeze. See 820099 Ontario Inc. v. Harold E. Ballard Ltd. (1991), 3 B.L.R. (2d) 113 (Ont. Div. Ct.). Ownership of a Gold Property: Acted as co-counsel for the successful plaintiff in a 3-month trial and subsequent appeal concerning the ownership of a multi-million dollar gold property in Northern Ontario. The case involved issues of breach of contract and fiduciary duties, misrepresentation, and misuse of confidential information. See Ontex Resources Ltd. v. Metalore Resources Ltd. (1990), 75 O.R. (2d) 513 (Gen. Div.), appeal allowed in part (1993) 13 O.R. (3d) 229, 103 D.L.R. (4th) 158, 12 B.L.R. (2d) 226 (C.A.). Subsequently achieved significant success on a lengthy assessment of costs hearing (36 days) arising from the costs awards made at trial and on appeal. See (1996), 45 C.P.C. (3d) 237 (Ont. Assmt. Officer). Leading Expropriation Law Case: Acted as co-counsel in the "Dell Holdings" case ¿ ultimately decided in the Supreme Court of Canada ¿ that set a precedent regarding damages claims for delay caused by a public authority in an expropriation. See Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority v. Dell Holdings Ltd. (1990), 43 L.C.R. 138 (O.M.B.), varied (1991), 3 O.R. (3d) 78, 80 D.L.R. (4th) 112 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1995), 22 O.R. (3d) 733, 123 D.L.R. (4th) 157 (C.A.), decision of O.M.B. restored [1997] 1 S.C.R. 32, 142 D.L.R. (4th) 206. The "Jane Doe" Case: In this now famous case, acted as co-counsel for the defendants. The issue was whether a police department breached a constitutional and private law duty of care to a rape victim by allegedly failing to warn her of the likelihood that she might be assaulted by a serial rapist. The following chain of decisions determined that the plaintiff had the right to sue: Jane Doe v. Board of Commissioners of Police for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (1989), 58 D.L.R. (4th) 396, 48 C.C.L.T. 105 (H.C.J.), aff'd (1990), 74 O.R. (2d) 225, 72 D.L.R. (4th) 580, 50 C.P.C. (2d) 92, 40 O.A.C. 161, 1 C.R.R. (2d) 211, 5 C.C.L.T. (2d) 77 (Div. Ct.), leave to appeal refused (1991) 1 O.R. (3d) 416 (C.A.). The trial judgment, reported at (1998), 39 O.R. (3d) 487, 160 D.L.R. (4th) 697, 43 C.C.L.T. (2d) 123, 55 C.R.R. (2d) D-2 (Gen. Div.), established liability and damages. Debentures and Statutory Liens: Acted for the Workers' Compensation Board in successfully establishing the priority of a statutory lien over floating charge debentures. See Re Standard-Modern Technologies Corp. (1989), 69 O.R. (2d) 737, 62 D.L.R. (4th) 342, 45 B.L.R. 142 (H.C.J.), aff'd (1992), 6 O.R. (3d) 161, 87 D.L.R. (4th) 442, 4 B.L.R. (2d) 93 (C.A.). Equality Rights and Separate Schools: Acted as co-counsel for one of the parties in the Supreme Court of Canada on a reference concerning the constitutional validity of legislation providing for full funding of Roman Catholic secondary schools in Ontario. See Reference re an Act to Amend the Education Act (Ontario), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1148, 40 D.L.R. (4th) 18, 22 O.A.C. 321. Property Rights vs. Union's Right to Organize: Acted as co-counsel in this case where judicial review was sought of a decision of the Ontario Labour Relations Board allowing union organizers access to the Eaton Centre in Toronto to organize the employees of the anchor tenant. See Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd. v. Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (1987), 62 O.R. (2d) 337, 45 D.L.R. (4th) 401 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1989), 71 O.R. (2d) 206, 64 D.L.R. (4th) 267 (C.A.). Competition Law: Appeared as successful co-counsel for the Attorney General of Canada and the Director of Investigation and Research under the Competition Act in a case where the Supreme Court of Canada considered the constitutional validity of the regulator's search and seizure powers. See Thompson Newspapers Ltd. v. Canada (Director of Investigation and Research, Restrictive Trade Practices Commission), (1986), 57 O.R. (2d) 257, 34 D.L.R. (4th) 413, 30 C.C.C. (3d) 145, 12 C.P.R. (3d) 97 (C.A.), aff'd [1990] 1 S.C.R. 435, 67 D.L.R. (4th) 161, 76 C.R. (3d) 129, 47 C.R.R. 1. Workers' Compensation and the Charter: (1) Acted as co-counsel for the Workers' Compensation Board in successfully defending an equality rights challenge to the Workers' Compensation Act: see Re Medwid and The Queen in right of Ontario (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 578, 48 D.L.R. (4th) 272 (H.C.J.). (2) In another case, was successful in defending the constitutionality of the workers' compensation scheme from an attack made under section 7 (fundamental justice) of the Charter: see Ryan and Workmen's Compensation Board (1984), 6 O.A.C. 33 (Ont. Div. Ct.). Constitutional Division of Powers: Appeared as co-counsel in a case that determined whether a municipal transit service serving both Ottawa and Hull was constitutionally subject to federal or provincial labour legislation. See Re Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission and Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 279 (1983), 144 D.L.R. (3d) 581 (Div. Ct.), aff'd (1983), 44 O.R. (2d) 560, 4 D.L.R. (4th) 452 (C.A.). Challenging Cabinet Decisions: Acted as co-counsel in successfully establishing the right to challenge a decision made by the provincial Cabinet regarding the location of a waste disposal site for allegedly violating the principles of natural justice. See Township of South-West Oxford v. Attorney General for Ontario (1983), 44 O.R. (2d) 376 (H.C.J.). At issue in (1985), 49 C.P.C. 233 (Senior Master), rev'd (1985), 50 O.R. (2d) 297, 3 C.P.C. (2d) 92 (H.C.J.) was the question of whether documents prepared in connection with the decision of Cabinet were protected by a claim of Crown privilege. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: J. Gregory Richards
R. Wayne Rosenman (Partner) admitted to bar, 1972, Ontario. Education: University of Manitoba (B.A., 1967); Queen's University (LL.B., 1970). Wayne brings a unique blend of expertise and experience to his practice in the real estate and land development industry. Through his broad range of experience involving the purchase, sale and financing of land and commercial buildings, coupled with his land development expertise and commercial leasing practice, he has been able to counsel his clients on complex transactions that cross a wide variety of property issues with prime examples shown under Notable Mandates on firm's website at http://www.weirfoulds.com. Wayne is the current Chair of the firm's Partnership meetings and spent many years on the firm's Management Committee and as Vice Chair of the Management Committee. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate and Leasing; Land Development.Email: R. Wayne Rosenman
N. William C. Ross (Partner) admitted to bar, 1969, Ontario. Education: McGill University (B.A., 1964); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1967); Osgoode Hall (LL.M., 1977). Bill Ross is a senior corporate lawyer who represents international public corporations, entrepreneurially-owned private businesses and not-for-profit corporations. He sits on the boards of directors of many of these corporations. Bill has a diverse practice in corporate, commercial and not-for-profit law and has had experience in virtually all areas of those practices. His areas of practice include corporate governance, franchising, acquisitions and mergers, corporate financing, corporate restructuring, securities, competition, charities (with particular emphasis on health care entities), employment (including contracts, benefits, pensions and compensation plans), libel, and intellectual property. Bill has been a director of several Canadian corporations. Among his current directorships are Canada Development Investment Corporation (Chairman), Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (Chairman), and Acuity Funds Ltd. of which he is also Secretary. Member: Canadian Bar Association; American Bar Association; International Bar Association. Practice Areas: Franchising; Corporate and Commercial Transactions; Corporate Governance.Email: N. William C. Ross
Clare E. Burns (Partner) admitted to bar, 1991, Ontario. Education: Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1988); London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London (1990); University of Windsor/Stitt Feld Handy Group (ADR Certificate of Achievement, 2009). Clare Burns is an experienced litigator who acts in complex and highly sensitive matters. Her practice focuses on trusts, estates and capacity litigation. Clare Burns is a senior trusts and estates litigator. She served as the Children's Lawyer for the Province of Ontario from 2003 to 2008 pursuant to an Order-in-Council appointment. As the Children's Lawyer, Clare's office was responsible to investigate, advocate, protect and represent persons under the age of 18 in proceedings before the courts and tribunals of Ontario. In this role, she supervised more than 11,000 cases including variations of trust, will challenges, passings of accounts, guardianships and all kinds of dependant's relief matters. She also developed expertise in personal injury matters. As the Children's Lawyer, Clare appeared in the Ontario Superior Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario on behalf of children. Notably she was counsel for the child in A. (A.) v. B. (B.), the case which determined that a child could have more than two parents. Prior to her appointment as the Children's Lawyer, Clare's private practice was restricted to civil litigation. She appeared at the Ontario Superior Court (including many appearances at the Estates List), the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada and on various matters dealt with by way of ADR both in Ontario and internationally, pursuant to ICC Rules. Significant commercial litigation briefs included: Bank of Montreal ats Bourgeois (concerning allegations related to the operation of the Bank's managed futures business), Nesbitt Burns Inc. ats Ukrainain (Fort William) Credit Union Limited (concerning allegations of negligent derivates trading); Exxon Chemical Company ats Lubrizol (motor oil patent infringement); and Lurgi AG ats Cominco (concerning allegations of negligent construction of a lead smelter). Significant briefs in trust and estate litigation included: acting for estate trustees on passings of accounts seeking approval of commercial transactions involving assets with a value in excess of Cdn $1 billion; and acting for a major trust corporation defending allegations that it failed to obtain an adequate rate of return on trustee investments. In the three years prior to her appointment as the Children's Lawyer, Clare was designated by Lexpert as a Leading Practitioner of Estate Litigation. Outside the firm, she is actively engaged in the profession and broader community. She has been a Director of The Advocate's Society and Vice President of the National Association of Public Trustees and Guardians. Clare has taught estates, children's law and trial advocacy at the University of Toronto Law School, Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Western Ontario Law School. Clare has spoken widely in a variety of venues and has published many professional papers. She is a Past Director of World Literacy of Canada and About Face Craniofacial Family Society. She received an Ontario Volunteer Award in 2002. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Litigation; Wills and Trusts.Email: Clare E. Burns
Steven Rukavina (Chair of Corporate Team) admitted to bar, 1994, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B. Comm., 1989); University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 1992). Steven Rukavina heads the firm's corporate practice. He has a diverse practice with extensive experience in corporate finance, securities, mining, real estate and development law. Steve's securities and mining law practice focuses on assisting start-up companies and businesses, including junior mining companies, with seed/venture capital funding, as well as representing both public and private companies in completing institutional debt and equity financings, flow-through share financings, corporate reorganizations and strategic mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, reverse take-overs and public stock exchange listings. Steve has served as a director and officer of a number of publicly listed companies and regularly advises clients on corporate governance issues and on continuous disclosure obligations and related regulatory matters. In his commercial real estate and development practice, Steve has acted for purchasers, vendors and lenders in a variety of complex commercial and industrial real estate purchase, sale, financing, co-ownership, joint venture, design-build, build-to-suit and lease-back transactions, including the sale of a number of golf courses and purchases and sales of gold and nickel mines. Steve's corporate and business law practice includes advising entrepreneurs in all aspects of establishing a business, whether in the form of a sole proprietorship, corporation, joint venture or general or limited partnership, including the preparation of shareholder, joint venture, limited partnership, co-ownership and similar agreements. In addition to acting on behalf of purchasers and vendors in all aspects of asset and share purchase transactions, Steve has also acted on behalf of both lenders and borrowers in connection with all aspects of debt financing transactions, including cross-border international syndicated loans. Member: Law Society of Upper Canada; Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association; Toronto Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Commercial Real Estate and Land Development; Securities and Mining.Email: Steven Rukavina
George H. Rust-D'Eye (Partner) admitted to bar, 1971, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1961); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 1969). George Rust-D'Eye is one of Canada's leading municipal law lawyers and is co-head of the firm's municipal, planning and development law practice. In 2007, he was awarded the Ontario Bar Association's Award of Excellence in Municipal Law. George provides legal assistance to municipalities and other governmental institutions, as well as private sector clients. His areas of expertise include municipal procedure, drafting by-laws, validity of by-laws, public-private partnerships, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, lobbying, licensing, heritage, freedom of information, employment law, elections, conflict of interest and adult entertainment. George is also a litigator who has argued many cases in all levels of courts and administrative tribunals. His special interests also include the analysis and interpretation of statues and case law. George has written books, papers and articles in the area of municipal law, including a significant body of material relating to municipal powers and procedures, licensing and regulation, heritage law and practice, conflict of interest, municipal contract and employment law, municipal liability issues, regional planning, and freedom of information. He is co-author of the Ontario Municipal Act - A User's Manual (current 5th edition - 2009), and Ontario's Municipal Conflict of Interest Act - A Handbook (2007). Certified Specialist, Municipal Law: Local Government/Land use and Planning and Development Law, Law Society of Upper Canada. Member: Ontario Bar Association (former Chairman and Member of the Executive, Municipal Law Section); Canadian Bar Association (former Chair, Municipal Law Section). Reported Cases: List available on request. Practice Areas: Municipal; Litigation; Administrative.Email: George H. Rust-D'Eye
Michael J. Statham (Partner) admitted to bar, 1998, Ontario. Education: Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A., 1993); Dalhousie University (LL.B., 1996). Michael Statham's practice encompasses many aspects of corporate-commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on complex contractual disputes. Michael's forte is complex business litigation. He has specific experience in cross border commercial disputes, as well as in litigation raising issues of professional liability, taxation law, the rights and responsibilities of directors and officers, defamation, the defence of class actions and constitutional and public law. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Superior Court, the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before the Federal Court of Canada, and before various administrative tribunals, including the Ontario Securities Commission. Michael is a member of the firm's Management Committee. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Michael J. Statham
M. Kate Stephenson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1996, Ontario. Education: McMaster University (B.A.Sc., 1989); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1994). Kate Stephenson (currently on secondment to the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre) is a leading Canadian human rights lawyer with an active regulatory law practice. Kate has a diverse civil litigation practice including administrative, constitutional, commercial, and employment law. Her interests and expertise include particularly matters involving human rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She has been co-counsel on a number of judicial reviews and constitutional challenges, as well as various civil actions. She has argued before all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. Practice Areas: Litigation; Administrative Law.Email: M. Kate Stephenson
Debbie S. Tarshis (Partner) admitted to bar, 1984, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1978; LL.B., 1982); Sorbonne, University of Paris (Diplome de didactique des langues, 1979). Debbie Tarshis practises in the areas of health law, privacy and corporate law. She acts as general counsel to professional regulatory colleges and provides advice on all policies, procedures and programs to regulate the professions in the public interest. She has also developed leading expertise in the interpretation and implementation of federal and provincial privacy legislation. Debbie acts as general counsel to professional regulatory bodies, including providing ongoing advice to the Colleges' Registrars, boards of directors and committees on all of their policies, procedures and programs to regulate the professions in the public interest. She provides advice to the Colleges on legislative initiatives that affect their statutory mandate and the practice of the professions, and assists in preparing submissions to government advisory bodies and legislative standing committees. She also assists in the drafting and negotiation with government officials of regulations to be made under the relevant statute and their presentation to government from a policy and legal perspective. She has advised newly established regulatory bodies in developing their regulatory frameworks, by-laws and policies and procedures, and existing regulatory bodies in adding and integrating a new profession into an existing regulatory framework. In health law matters, Debbie provides advice on legislation affecting the health care sector and issues related to patient safety, scopes of practice of health professionals, regulation of new professions, privacy and confidentiality of personal health information, and policies and procedures related to registration, complaints, discipline, patient relations, quality assurance and fitness to practise processes. Debbie has developed leading expertise in the impact of privacy legislation on key stakeholders in the health care, research, professional regulatory and social services sectors. Debbie has provided advice on the impact of federal and provincial privacy legislation. She has provided advice to organizations on compliance with privacy legislation and the handling of privacy breaches. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Corporate; Privacy; Health Law; Professional Self-Regulation.Email: Debbie S. Tarshis
David R. Thompson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1989, Ontario; 1995, Alberta. Education: University of Toronto (B.Sc., 1986); University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 1987). David Thompson negotiates and completes documentation for lease and real estate development deals. He acts for some of the most significant clients in the field. David has experience in many areas of commercial leasing law, acting for both tenants and landlords. His clients have included well-known national chains in the food service, retail and theatre industries. David has negotiated and finalized leases, offers, subleases and letter agreements (for land leases, turnkeys and pad deals). He has extensive experience with joint venture agreements, development agreements, cross easements and all the issues related to the development, sale or acquisition of land. David is also familiar with the particular needs of the franchise industry, including the required agreements, documentation and due diligence. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Leasing; Real Estate Development; Franchising.Email: David R. Thompson
Christopher J. Tzekas (Partner) admitted to bar, 1979, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (LL.B., 1977). Christopher Tzekas specializes in administrative law and civil litigation, with an emphasis on municipal and expropriation law, land use planning and development, and the regulation of professional organizations. Chris represents provincial ministries, municipalities, and a wide range of private clients. He also acts as counsel to a number of professional organizations. He appears regularly before the Ontario Municipal Board and other administrative tribunals, Councils and committees. He has appeared at every level of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Chris has authored many papers and is a frequent speaker on expropriation, land use planning and development, and issues relating to the regulation of professional organizations. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Reported Cases: Expropriation The following are examples of the reported cases in which Chris has appeared as counsel or co-counsel; Hamilton (City) v. Lax (1992), 47 L.C.R. 84 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); Funshine Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 52 (O.M.B.), (1986), 18 O.M.B.R. 451, (1987), 38 L.C.R. 26 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1988), 61 O.R. (2d) 712 (1988), 25 O.A.C. 282 (C.A.); Eat 'N Putt Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1987), 37 L.C.R. 85 (O.M.B.); 377358 Ontario Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 77 (O.M.B.); Re Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority and Thomson Lumber and Building Materials (1984), 47 O.R. (2d) 668 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal denied]; Chappell et al. v. Ministry of Government Services (1984), 28 L.C.R. 182 (O.M.B.), 12 O.A.C. 297 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1986), 34 L.C.R. 207 (C.A.); [settled, pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC]; Canada Trust Co. v. City of London (1982), 24 L.C.R. 247 (L.C.B.), (1983), 27 L.C.R. 97 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted; appeal settled]; Administrative & Municipal Ontario Private Campground Assn. v. Georgian Bay (Township) (2000), 12 M.P.L.R. 281 (Ont. S.C.J.); Toronto v. McIlroy (1998), 48 M.P.L.R. (2d) 146 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); Doucette v. City of Waterloo, et al. (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 502 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1997), 40 M.P.L.R. (2d) 1 (Ont. Div. Ct.); Friends of McNichol Park v. Corp. of the City of Burlington, et al. (1996), 33 M.P.L.R. (2d) 198 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1996), 31 O.R. (3d) 405 (Div. Ct.); NSP Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Joint Board) (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 379, 43 L.C.R. 81, 4 C.E.L.R. (N.S.) 279 (Div. Ct.); McLear v. Mason (1989), 65 O.R. (2d) 228, 39 M.P.L.R. 111 (H.C.J.); Re DiCenzo Construction Co. Ltd. and Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 19, et al. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 351, 37 M.P.L.R. 298 (Ont. Div. Ct.); Re Wentworth Condominium Corp. No. 46 et al. and Regional Assessment Officer, Region No. 19 (1986), 54 O.R. (2d) 642 (H.C.J.), (1987), 33 M.P.L.R. 75 (H.C.J.); Re Proposed Transmission Plan of Ontario Hydro for Southwestern Ontario (1987), 1 C.E.L.R. (J.B.) 261; Westlake v. Corporation of the Town of Caledon (1986), 12 O.A.C. 178 (Ont. Div. Ct.); Central Ontario Coalition Concerning Hydro Transmission Systems, et al. v. Ontario Hydro, et al. (1984), 46 O.R. (2d) 715, 10 D.L.R. (4th) 341, 16 O.M.B.R. 172, 27 M.P.L.R. 165 (Ont. Div. Ct.); Re Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 18, et al. and Hudson's Bay Company (1983), 42 O.R. (2d) 436 (C.A.); Other Areas of Law Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 24 O.R. (3d) 866 (S.C.C.); Botiuk v. Toronto Free Press Publications Ltd. et al. (1986), 56 O.R. (2d) 184 (Master); [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3, 126 D.L.R. (4th) 609 (S.C.C.). Practice Areas: Expropriation; Administrative Law and Litigation; Land Use Planning and Development.Email: Christopher J. Tzekas
Marie-Andrée Vermette (Partner) admitted to bar, 1998, Quebec; 2001, Ontario. Education: McGill (B.C.L.; LL.B.); Columbia University (LL.M.). Marie-Andrée Vermette specializes in complex litigation cases. Marie-Andrée's broad litigation practice includes high-profile corporate/commercial disputes, public law cases, securities law cases, competition law matters, complex estate cases, and numerous appeals and judicial review applications. Marie-Andrée was recognized as one of Canada's 2008 Lexpert "Rising Stars-Leading Lawyers Under 40". Marie-Andrée has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, before the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Marie-Andrée clerked for Mr. Justice Gonthier at the Supreme Court of Canada, and received her LL.M. from Columbia University in New York where she was named a James Kent Scholar. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Marie-Andrée Vermette
Binh Vu (Partner) admitted to bar, 2002, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.Sc., with distinction, 1997); Queen's University (LL.B., 2000);. Binh Vu practises corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on advising publicly-listed companies. Binh's practice in corporate and securities law emphasizes corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and regulatory matters. He has advised TSX and TSX Venture Exchange-listed companies in connection with regulatory compliance issues, private placements, shareholder rights plans, stock option plans, listing applications, public offerings and corporate restructurings. Binh has also advised private companies in connection with private equity financings, shareholder agreements, reorganizations, acquisitions and commercial contracts. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate Commercial Law; Securities.Email: Binh Vu
Frank E. Walwyn (Partner) born St. Kitts, West Indies, 1971; admitted to bar, 1995, Ontario; 2009, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1987); Queen's University (LL.B., 1993); Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (Certificate of Business Administration, 1989); The Eugene Dupch Law School (CLE, 2000). Frank Walwyn is known for his urbane approach to litigating some of the most challenging business cases in Canada and the Caribbean. Frank is frequently consulted and appears as counsel on high-stakes, complex litigation matters in Canada and the Caribbean where he is a member of the bars of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Anguilla, and Antigua and Barbuda. The cases Frank has litigated range from multi-jurisdictional corporate disputes involving shareholder rights and director's duties, to commercial disputes, to complex trusts and estates litigation, frequently involving assets in foreign jurisdictions. Many of the cases in which Frank is involved have led to important or precedent-setting judgments, including judgments in the areas of venue selection, constitutional rights and freedoms, the court's jurisdiction to grant relief involving foreign elements, and electronic discovery. Most recently, Frank acted for a Caribbean-based hedge fund in litigation in the Caribbean (lead counsel) and the UK (supporting counsel), and currently acts for a group of investors in hard-fought litigation to register, recognize and enforce their Canadian judgment in the Caribbean. Frank is an active member of many legal and community boards and initiatives. He is the President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), a director of The Advocates' Society, a member of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for appointments to the Ontario Provincial Court, and for several years was a member of the firm's Management Committee. Frank is also a sought after speaker in Canada and the Caribbean on legal topics, in particular on e-discovery and document retention issues arising in litigation and business, and is frequently quoted in the legal press and general media in these areas. Member: Canadian Bar Association; National Bar Association; St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Frank E. Walwyn
Robert B. Warren (Partner) admitted to bar, 1977, Ontario. Education: Oxford University (B.A., 1972); University of Toronto (LL.B., 1977). Robert Warren is recognized as one of Canada's leading regulatory lawyers. He specialises in the energy, environmental and transportation fields. Robert's practice is in the field of public law advocacy, specializing in energy, environmental and transportation law. He has extensive experience before provincial and federal regulatory agencies, and on appeals and judicial review applications from the decisions of those agencies. His experience extends to policy matters, and he has prepared briefs for private and public interest groups on pending federal and provincial legislation. He is one of the province's most experienced lawyers in the field of energy regulation. He has appeared as counsel in all major Ontario Energy Board proceedings since 1991. In addition, he has advised clients on all facets of the restructuring of the electricity and natural gas markets in Ontario. Robert's environmental law practice includes advising clients on compliance with federal and provincial environmental protection laws, including municipal by-laws, and on the creation and operation of environmental management systems. He is external counsel to Environmental Protection Review Canada. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation and Administrative Law; Environmental and Energy Law; Transportation Law.Email: Robert B. Warren
John B. A. Wilkinson (Partner) admitted to bar, 1987, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1982); Dalhousie University (LL.B., 1985). John Wilkinson practises corporate and commercial law for businesses and not-for-profit institutions. His experience spans the healthcare sector, IP/IT and privacy, education and sports law. John's practice includes service to the business sector and to the non-profit sectors. Clients for whom John works range from public companies to owner-managed businesses, and from universities to private foundations. John's expertise includes law related to business corporations, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, employment agreements, risk management, intellectual property (including trade-marks and copyright), non-share corporations, charities, public-private cooperation, sports and Olympic law, franchising and professional regulation. John represents clients involved in manufacturing, consulting, education, health care, social services delivery and sports administration. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate and Commercial Transactions; IP/IT and Privacy; Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations.Email: John B. A. Wilkinson
David R. Wingfield (Partner) admitted to bar, 1988, Ontario; 1991 New York. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1982; M.A., 1983); Queen's University (LL.B., 1986). David Wingfield is recognized as one of Canada's leading litigation lawyers. David is known for his skilful and creative representation of clients involved in some of the largest and most important litigation matters in Canada, including NAFTA investment disputes as well as acting as counsel or supervising counsel on significant international litigation. He has been named as one of Canada's top 55 cross border litigators and top 100 corporate commercial and securities law litigators. Many of David's cases have resulted in precedent-setting judgments in the fields of corporate law, corporate governance, directors' rights/liabilities, bankruptcy/insolvency law, and private international law. His cases regularly receive extensive media coverage, both in Canada and internationally. In addition to his practice, David sits on the board of directors of a publicly-traded investment company and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. Member: American and Canadian Bar Associations; Commercial Bar Association of England and Whales (Honorary Member). Reported Cases: Re Enernorth Industries Inc. (2008), 40 C.B.R. (5th) 274 (Ont. S.C. Bkrtpcy); Re Ravelston Corp. Ltd. (2007), 85 O.R. (3d) 175 (C.A.) [Appeal of Receiver's Approval of Plea Agreement]; Re Ravelston Corp. (2007), 29 C.B.R. (5th) 1 (Ont. S.C.J.) [Approval of Plea Agreement]; Oakwell Engineering Ltd. v. Enernorth Industries Inc. (2006), 82 O.R. (3d) 500 (C.A.) [Fresh Evidence]; Oakwell Engineering Ltd. v. Enernorth Industries Inc. (2006), 81 O.R. (3d) 288 (C.A.); Catalyst Fund General Partner I Inc. v. Hollinger Inc. et al.; White v. Hollinger Inc. (2006), 266 D.L.R. (4th) 228 (O.C.A.); Catalyst Fund General Partner I Inc. v. Hollinger Inc. (2005), 8 B.L.R. (4th) 117 (Ont. S.C.J.); Re Terastar Realty Corp. (2005), 16 C.B.R. (5th) 111 (Ont. S.C.J.); Oakwell Engineering Ltd. v. Enernorth Industries Inc. (2005), 76 O.R. (3d) 528 (S.C.J.); Hollinger International Inc. v. Hollinger Inc. (2004), 11 C.P.C. (6th) 245; Re Air Canada [Subordinated Debt] (2004), 2 C.B.R. (5th) 4 (Ont. S.C.); Re Christian Brothers of Ireland in Canada [Distribution Application] (2004), 69 O.R. (3d) 507 (S.C.J.); Corporacion Americana de Equipamientos Urbanos S.L. v. Olifas Marketing Group Inc., et al. (2003), 66 O.R. (3d) 352 (S.C.J.); British Columbia (A-G) v. Rowland et al., [2002] 9 W.W.R. 115 (B.C.S.C.); Rowland v. Vancouver College Ltd., (2001), 205 D.L.R. (4th) 193 (B.C.C.A.), leave to appeal to S.C.C refused (2002), 211 D.L.R. (4th) vi; Rowland v. Vancouver College Ltd., (2000), 70 B.C.L.R (3d) 87 (B.C.S.C.); Ontario Realty Corporation v. P. Gabriele & Sons Limited et al. (2000), 50 O.R. (3d) 539 (S.C.J.); Re Christian Brothers of Ireland in Canada [Use of Assets Application] (2000), 187 D.L.R. (4th) 447, 47 O.R. (3d) 674, 6 B.L.R. (3d) 151, 17 C.B.R. (4th), 33 E.T.R. (2d) 32, [2001] 3 ITELR 34 (Ont. C.A.), leave to appeal to S.C.C. refused; [2000] S.C.C.A. No. 277; Elmford Construction Co. v. South Winston Properties Inc. (1999), 45 O.R. (3d) 588 (S.C.J.), aff'd (2002) 59 O.R. (3d) 111n (C.A.); Re Christian Brothers of Ireland in Canada [Advice and Directions] (1998), 37 O.R. (3d) 367 (Gen. Div.); Re Rosedale Realty Corp. (1997), 33 O.R. (3d) 666 (Gen. Div.); Re Ballard Estate (1994), 20 O.R. (3d) 189 (Gen. Div.); Israel Discount Bank of Canada v. Genova et al. (1992), 13 C.P.C. (3d) 104 (Gen. Div.); Re 484030 Ontario Ltd. (1992), 8 O.R. (3d) 243 (Bkcy.); Fobasco Ltd. v. Cogan et. al. (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 254 (H.C.J.); Theodore Holdings Ltd. v. Anjay Ltd. (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 645 (H.C.J.); Region Plaza Inc. v. Hamilton-Wentworth et. al. (1990), 12 O.R. (3d) 750 (H.C.J.); Ernted Investments Ltd. v. Toronto (City) (1989), 44 M.P.L.R. 173 (Ont. Dist. Ct.). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: David R. Wingfield
ASSOCIATES
Jennie Baek (Associate) admitted to bar, 2008, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (LL.B., 2006); University of Toronto (LL.M., 2007). Jennie Baek practises corporate and securities law. After articling at WeirFoulds, Jennie joined the firm as an associate in the securities group. She has a general practice in corporate and securities law. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Jennie obtained a certificate in international law at the Queen's University International Study Centre in England and completed her Master of Laws at the University of Toronto Law School. Jennie was one of three medalists upon graduation from Queen's University Law School and received multiple scholarships, prizes and awards during her time there. She also received a fellowship to study at the University of Toronto Law School where she received her Master of Laws degree. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Securities Law; Corporate and Commercial Transactions.Email: Jennie Baek
Hilary Book (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Ontario. Education: University of British Columbia (B.A., Honours, 2002); University of Toronto (J.D., 2005). Hilary Book is an associate in the firm's litigation practice, and has experience in a broad variety of commercial litigation disputes. Hilary is an associate in the firm's litigation practice group where her practice focuses on commercial litigation. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Hilary articled and was an associate at another large downtown law firm. Hilary has experience in a wide variety of civil litigation areas, including complex contractual disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency law, franchise law and defamation. Hilary has also represented clients in disputes involving municipal law and statutory interpretation. Hilary has appeared before judges and masters in Ontario, as well as before the Ontario Court of Appeal. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Hilary Book
April Brousseau (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., Hons., 2001); Dalhousie University (LL.B., 2006; MLIS, 2006). April Brousseau acts as counsel before administrative tribunals, and also assists senior litigators with files before trial and appellate courts in many different areas of public law. April's practice is in the area of public law advocacy. April assists as counsel to both private and public sector clients in cases before administrative tribunals and trial and appellate courts in many aspects of public law, including human rights, professional self-regulation and discipline, and judicial review of government decision-making. April appears regularly in the Provincial Offences Courts and has appeared in both the Superior Court of Justice as well as Divisional Court and before the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Prior to joining WeirFoulds April was a co-ordinator of the Pro Bono Students Canada program at Dalhousie University and worked as a law student at the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Public Law.
Candace A. Cooper (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario; 2008, New York. Education: Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A., Hons., 2003); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., 2006); University of Windsor (LL.B., 2006). Candace Cooper, licensed to practise law in both Ontario and New York, focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions. Candace's practice encompasses all areas of real estate law, including the acquisition, disposition, financing and development of land in transactions involving commercial, retail and industrial properties. Candace has a solid understanding of cross-border issues. She graduated from the J.D./LL.B legal program at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, receiving both an American and Canadian law degree. She is called to the bar of New York State and has a comprehensive understanding of the American legal system. Candace has experience in a broad variety of real estate related issues including construction liens, commercial leasing, power of sale and foreclosure proceedings, and environmental assessment. She has also been involved in research and matters as diverse as the execution of documents under the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, Land Transfer Tax payment issues, the operation and establishment of foreign bank subsidiaries and branches, and the historical procedures regarding the closing and conveyance of municipal lands and public highways. She contributes to the firm's commercial real estate group by acting as an important source for research. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association; New York State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate.Email: Candace A. Cooper
Cherylyn Dickson (Associate) admitted to bar, 2008, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.Sc., Hons., 2004); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 2007). Cherylyn practices general corporate law, with an emphasis on intellectual property and information technology. After articling at WeirFoulds LLP, Cherylyn joined the firm as an associate in its corporate law practice. In addition to focusing on intellectual property and information technology, Cherylyn has gained experience in employment, privacy, franchising, not-for-profit and charities law. While attending Osgoode Hall Law School, Cherylyn worked as a senior caseworker at the school's Business Clinic where she assisted small businesses with their incorporation. She also served as a research assistant in the area of securities law. In completing the Aboriginal Intensive Program, Cherylyn worked on aboriginal taxation issues during her placement at an on-reserve business. In addition, Cherylyn served as a co-editor of the Canadian Student Law Review and volunteered as duty counsel with the Community Legal Aid Services Program. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Intellectual Property; Inforrmation.Email: Cherylyn Dickson
Stephen Doak (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario. Education: Wilfrid Laurier University (B.A., Hons., 1995); University of British Columbia (M.A., 2002); University of Toronto (J.D., 2006). Stephen Doak assists businesses with issues that arise throughout various stages of the growth process, including corporate organization and reorganization, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and contract law matters. Steve works with start-ups and established businesses in a range of industries, including entrepreneurs, purchasers and targets, and investors, lenders and borrowers. In infrastructure and public projects, Steve represents parties in financing arrangements and development agreements for energy and alternative energy projects, real estate development, and infrastructure renewal and expansion initiatives. Prior to joining the firm, Steve was active in law school including various editorial functions with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review and the Journal of International Law & International Relations, and caseworker positions with Downtown Legal Services and Enterprise Legal Services. Additionally, he has worked for boutique firms focused on privacy law and admiralty law. Before studying law, Steve worked in the marketing and publishing industries. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Transactions; Mergers and Acquisitions; Infrastructure and Public Projects.Email: Stephen Doak
Michael Dolphin (Associate) admitted to bar, 2002, California; 2004, New York; 2005, Ontario. Education: University of Western Ontario (B.A., 1997); Southwestern University School of Law (J.D., 2002). Michael Dolphin practises corporate and securities law. Michael's corporate and securities practice includes public and private financings, mergers and acquisitions, corporate re-organizations and reverse-take-over transactions. Michael has acted as issuer's counsel to TSX and TSX Venture Exchange-listed corporations with respect to regulatory compliance issues, including shareholder rights plans, stock option plans listing applications and continuous disclosure obligations. While living in Los Angeles, Michael also worked for two entertainment studios acquiring experience in the area of entertainment law, drafting production agreements and television programming agreements, including, but not limited to, Series, Event, Talent, Acquisitions and Licensing. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations; Beverly Hills, New York State and Amercian Bar Associations; State Bar of California. Practice Areas: Securities; Corporate Commercial Law.Email: Michael Dolphin
Paul Guy (Associate) admitted to bar, 2004, Ontario. Education: University of Guelph (B.A. Hons, 1998); McMaster University (Philosophy, 1998-2000) Queen's University (LL.B., 2003); University of Toronto. Paul Guy is an accomplished litigator. He specializes in complex business and public law litigation. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. Paul acts as co-counsel on some of the firm's largest litigation files. He has also acted successfully as lead counsel on numerous trials, applications, and appeals. His practice encompasses three areas: business litigation; bankruptcy and insolvency litigation; and public law litigation. He works primarily on complex, high stakes business litigation matters. His cases involve a range of corporate, commercial and securities law issues, including shareholder and partnership disputes, oppression remedy claims, breach of contract allegations, business related tort claims, director and officer liability, and fiduciary duties. He has significant experience with multi-jurisdictional business disputes. He also represents clients in all aspects of bankruptcy and insolvency litigation matters, including bankruptcies, receiverships, proposals and restructurings. He has acted for debtors, creditors, court-appointed officers and other stakeholders in a variety of proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. Finally, he acts on various types of public law litigation matters, including challenges to government action brought under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, disputes raising federalism and division of powers issues, and cases involving the judicial review of administrative decision-making. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Paul Guy
Nikiforos Iatrou (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Ontario. Education: McGill University (B.A., Political Science, 1997); University of Ottawa (LL.B. (Hon.), 2003). Nikiforos Iatrou (currently on Executive Interchange to the Department of Justice/Competition Bureau) appears as co-counsel on some of the firm's most complex litigation files. His research skills and passion for advocacy make him a valued member of the firm's litigation practice. Niki's practice is focused on complex litigation. As a former clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario, he understands what makes for good, convincing advocacy at both the trial and appellate level. To date, he has assisted in a wide range of cases at all levels of court and before federal and provincial tribunals. These cases have involved disputes about commercial law, contracts and service agreements, duties of good faith, duties of public bodies, tax law in the not-for-profit context, competition law, regulatory law, and issues of administrative fairness and natural justice. Prior to joining the firm Niki was awarded the prestigious Harold G. Fox Scholarship, whereby he spent a year undertaking a pupillage under the guidance of top U.K. counsel in the Inns of Court in London, England. There, he developed an interest in comparative law, private international law, and the issues that arise in interjurisdictional disputes. Today, in addition to his Canadian-based practice, Niki assists senior counsel in cases relating to Caribbean law and litigation for off-shore entities such as hedge funds and trusts. Most recently, he assisted at the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean on behalf of a Nevis-based off-shore hedge fund. Prior to that, he was instrumental in helping an off-shore trust fund to have a Mareva order (freezing injunction) set aside. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French and Greek. Practice Areas: Litigation; Competition/Antitrust.Email: Nikiforos Iatrou
Zirka Jakibchuk (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, Ontario. Education: University of Western Ontario (B.A., 1999 Honours with Distinction); University of Western Ontario and Université Jean Moulin Lyon3 (LL.B., 2002). Zirka Jakibchuk is a skilled litigator with a broad practice in litigation, employment and administrative law. Zirka Jakibchuk is an associate in the Litigation and Employment Law Groups at WeirFoulds LLP. She has represented clients on a wide range of employment and administrative law matters, as well as commercial and civil litigation disputes. Her clients have included professional regulatory bodies, government agencies and corporations and large multinational corporations. She has appeared before mediators, arbitrators, administrative board and tribunals, and all levels of Court in Ontario. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Reported Cases: Festival Hall Developments Ltd. v. Wilkings, [2009] O.J. No. 2400 (S.C.J.) (motion to strike claim for breach of duty of care against director of a corporation); McCrary v. Landmark Communications Inc., [2009] O.J. No. 222 (S.C.J.) and [2009] O.J. 423 (S.C.J.) (motion to strike claims against director personally and conspiracy claim); Caglar v. Moore (2005), 143 A.C.W.S. (3d) 754, (2006) (S.C.J.), 145 A.C.W.S. (3d) 571 (S.C.J.) (motion for summary judgment in wrongful dismissal action); 1427814 Ontario Ltd. v. 3697584 Canada Inc. and Reno-Depot, [2008] O.J. No. 2162 (S.C.J.), [2008] O.J. No. 3670 (S.C.J.) (security for costs motion and appeal); Blaney McMurtry LLP v. First Elnor Holdings Ltd., [2005] O.J. No. 4419 (assessment of costs, including success fee); Faris v. Eftimovski (2004), 132 A.C.W.S. (3d) 1190 (S.C.J.), (2005), 143 A.C.W.S. (3d) 1135 (C.A.) (application for specific performance of right of first refusal and appeal); Three Seasons Homes Limited v. Faris (2005), 38 R.P.R. (4th) 49 (C.A.), (2006), 146 A.C.W.S. (3d) 357 (motion for reconsideration); Ontario Realty Corporation v. P. Gabriele & Sons Ltd., [2003] O.J. No. 4344 (S.C.J.) (appeal of motion for interim funding in fraud action). Languages: French; Ukrainian. Practice Areas: Employmemt Law; Corporate Commercial Litigation; Civil Litigation.Email: Zirka Jakibchuk
Constance Y. Lanteigne (Associate) admitted to bar, 2004, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1995; Honours B.A., 2000); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 2003). Constance Lanteigne practises all aspects of municipal, planning and development law and has appeared as counsel before the Ontario Municipal Board, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Divisional Court. After articling with a major municipality, Constance joined the firm as an associate in the Municipal and Planning Law Group. She works closely with prominent senior lawyers in these areas, and is the Editor of the Municipal Group Newsletter. In 2006, Constance completed a secondment at the Town of Oakville where she acted as an Assistant Town Solicitor. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Municipal Planning and Development; Expropriation ; Heritage Properties.Email: Constance Y. Lanteigne
Karsten Lee (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.Comm., 2001); Queen's University (LL.B., 2006). Karsten Lee practises all aspects of commercial leasing, representing both landlords and tenants. Karsten's practice covers all aspects of commercial leasing. He has experience in drafting and negotiating commercial leases, along with all ancillary documentation, for national, individual and entrepreneurial clients. He also assists clients on a broad range of leasing-related issues such as default and termination. He works with landlords, tenants, developers, property managers, franchisors and franchisees. Karsten also assists in due diligence issues relating to real estate acquisitions. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Leasing.Email: Karsten Lee
Farah Malik (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.Sc., Honours, 2001); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., magna cum laude, 2004); University of Windsor (LL.B., 2004). Farah Malik is a civil litigator with a special interest in administrative, employment and human rights law. She also has a broad range of experience in complex commercial litigation matters. Farah has a passion and zeal for all aspects of advocacy. Her litigation practice focuses on professional negligence, employment law, administrative law and human rights matters. She clerked for the Court of Appeal for Ontario and practiced civil litigation at a Toronto litigation boutique for two years prior to joining WeirFoulds LLP. Farah has valuable experience in a wide variety of litigation practice areas, including complex commercial disputes, not-for-profit law, oppression remedy claims and appellate advocacy. In particular, Farah enjoyed recent success as co-counsel at the Court of Appeal for Ontario in obtaining a new civil trial for a plaintiff in a hard-fought negligence case. She also has experience in matters adjudicated pursuant to the International Commercial Arbitration Act. Farah has appeared as counsel before the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Professional Negligence.Email: Farah Malik
R. Ian Mitchell (Associate) admitted to bar, 2004, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.Comm. Hons, 2000): Dalhousie University (LL.B., 2003). Ian Mitchell's practice is focused on corporate finance and securities, with an emphasis on public and large private company transactions and advice. Ian's practice focuses on securities matters relating to the transitioning of private companies to public companies in Canada and on international transactions involving, among others, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Cyprus, and India. Ian has gained significant transactional experience in the areas of domestic and international private placements, public offerings, exchange listings, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and private equity. Ian also advises the boards of various public companies in connection with public disclosure, corporate governance and director liability issues. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Securities; Corporate Finance.Email: R. Ian Mitchell
Laila Peruzza Deluce (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, Ontario. Education: York University (B.A., 1999); University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 2002). Laila Perruzza Deluce practises corporate law with an emphasis on securities and corporate financing transactions. Laila advises TSX and TSX Venture Exchange listed companies in connection with public offerings, private placements, acquisitions, mergers, regulatory compliance issues and corporate restructurings. Laila also advises private companies in connection with private equity financings, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, acquisitions and sales. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Securities; Corporate and Commercial Transactions; Intellectual Property.Email: Laila Peruzza Deluce
Catherine Powell (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario. Education: Bishop's University (B.A., with distinction, Honours, 1999); University of Toronto (J.D., 2006). Catherine Powell is an accomplished litigator, having appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. Catherine has valuable experience in a wide variety of litigation practice areas, including complex commercial disputes, insolvency and bankruptcy, oppression remedy claims, professional negligence, privacy law, employment litigation and appellate advocacy. In particular, Catherine enjoyed recent success as co-counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada in an action for breach of contract against departing employees. Prior to law school, Catherine worked as a compliance officer for a prominent financial institution. She articled and practiced at a Toronto litigation boutique prior to joining WeirFoulds LLP. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Catherine Powell
Geoffrey Ritchie (Associate) admitted to bar, 2004, Ontario; 2008, England and Wales. Education: McMaster University (B.A., 1995); Queen's University (LL.B., 2003); World Trade Institute (Switzerland) (Intensive Summer Program in International Trade and Economics, 2004). Geoffrey practices corporate and securities law with an emphasis on securities regulatory matters. After articling with a major national law firm, Geoffrey practiced for a number of years with the Ontario Securities Commission in the Capital Markets Branch and the Compliance and Registrant Regulation Branch. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Geoffrey was an Associate in the Structured Finance group in the London (U.K.) office of leading international law firm Clifford Chance LLP. Geoffrey teaches "Advanced Securities Law" at the Faculty of Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario and is nearing completion of a Masters of Law, specializing in Securities Law, through Osgoode Hall Law School. Geoffrey is the Executive Director of the Exempt Market Dealers Association of Canada (previously, the Limited Market Dealers Association of Canada). Geoffrey has worked as political staff at the Ontario Legislature and graduated from the Congressional Staff Training School in Washington DC. Geoffrey is very active in federal and provincial politics and has served as a Campaign Manager during a number of election campaigns. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Securities.Email: Geoffrey Ritchie
Mandy L. Seidenberg (Associate) admitted to bar, 2008, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (LL.B., 2007). Mandy Seidenberg assists senior litigators with a broad range of civil and commercial litigation matters before all levels of court. Mandy is an associate in the litigation group at WeirFoulds and practices civil litigation. Since joining the firm, she has assisted in a wide variety of litigation matters including employment issues, constitutional challenges, estates claims, construction law matters and contractual disputes. In addition to assisting senior litigators, Mandy appears before masters and judges in Ontario. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Mandy L. Seidenberg
Michael R. Swartz (Associate) admitted to bar, 2002, Ontario. Education: University of Windsor (B.A., with honours, 1998; LL.B., 2001). Michael Swartz is focused on serving the construction industry with an emphasis on construction law litigation. He represents clients from across the construction industry, in all aspects of projects and construction-related issues. Michael practices construction law. In serving the construction industry, Michael is typically involved in project strategy development from an early-stage right through to project completion. Michael helps structure tendering and contract documents in support of all aspects of development and resolves disputes that arise throughout the life of a construction project such as tendering law disputes and lien, trust and delay claims. In doing so, he is able to inject practical, time-saving guidance into ongoing development activities that pre-empt and minimize work stoppages to effectively maintain project budgets and construction timetables. As a litigator, Michael appears frequently before various boards, tribunals, and courts including the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Canada. Michael is invited regularly to speak to associations and groups on various issues of topical interest concerning the construction industry and provides clients with timely updates on decided court cases and the impact to their business of changes to regulations. Since 2006 he has been teaching construction law for the Ontario General Contractors Association and George Brown College. Member: Ontario Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Construction Law; Civil Litigation). Practice Areas: Construction Law.Email: Michael R. Swartz
Stephanie Turnham (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.A., Hons., with distinction, 2003); Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.B., 2006). Stephanie Turnham appears before judges and masters in Ontario and assists senior litigators in a wide variety of cases at all levels of court. After articling at WeirFoulds, Stephanie joined the firm as an associate in the litigation group. She has worked on a broad range of cases, involving such matters as contract disputes, employment issues, injunctions, defamation, securities law, and international and jurisdictional issues. Stephanie has appeared before judges and masters in Ontario courts, and has also been involved in a variety of matters relating to administrative tribunals. Prior to joining WeirFoulds, Stephanie worked as a research assistant primarily in the area of health law, with topics intersecting the fields of law, medicine, ethics, sociology, critical disability studies and philosophy. During law school, Stephanie was on the executive committee of the Osgoode Hall Law School Women's Caucus, and an active participant in the Pro Bono Students Canada program. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations; The Advocates' Society. Practice Areas: Litigation.
Raivo Uukkivi (Associate) admitted to bar, 2004, Ontario. Education: University of Western Ontario (B.A., Honours, with distinction, 2000; LL.B., 2003). Raivo Uukkivi has a broad municipal, planning and development law practice. Raivo practices in the area of municipal and land use planning law. He acts for a broad range of public and private sector clients on a variety of matters, working closely with prominent senior lawyers. Raivo's practice includes plaintiff and defence litigation involving municipal, land use planning and property disputes. He has appeared as counsel before various courts and tribunals in Ontario. One of Raivo's notable mandates was acting on behalf of a municipality as a prosecutor before the Ontario Court of Justice with respect to various offences governed by the Provincial Offences Act, including the Planning Act, Building Code Act, Fire Protection and Prevention Act and a wide range of the municipality's by-laws. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Languages: Estonian. Practice Areas: Municipal and Land Use Planning; Litigation.Email: Raivo Uukkivi
David Willer (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1999; LL.B., 2002). David Willer acts on the acquisition, sale, financing and development of land. David's practice deals with all types of real estate transactions, including the purchase, sale and financing of retail, commercial and industrial properties. David also provides advice on land development and acts for clients involved in the acquisition, investment, development and management of real property. David also has experience in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of agreements and documents in connection with land development and many real estate related transactions, including agreements of purchase and sale, limited partnership agreements, loan and security documents, easement and restrictive covenant agreements and joint venture agreements. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate; Corporate and Commercial Transactions.Email: David Willer
Sandy Yeung (Associate) admitted to bar, 2003, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1999; LL.B., 2002). Sandy Yeung's practice focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions and development. Sandy acts for developers, asset management companies, retailers and other property owners in a variety of commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financings and development projects involving commercial, retail, and industrial properties throughout Ontario. Sandy also has experience in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of agreements and documents in connection with various real estate related transactions and development, including agreements of purchase and sale, lease-back agreements, security documents, easements and restrictive covenants, servicing agreements and site plan agreements, as well as in setting up various ownership structures in connection with real estate holdings, including limited partnerships, joint ventures and trusts. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Transactions: Sandy has recently acted on: Acquisitions for an international consulting, design-build and asset management company of commercial, industrial and development lands throughout Ontario, having an aggregate value of over $92M, including a $61M acquisition of a portfolio of 11 commercial and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area Acquisitions for a national retailer for locations of its retail operations throughout Ontario, having an aggregate value of over $25M Over $130M in acquisitions Over $70M in financings Expansion projects for a multinational retailer for its retail locations throughout Ontario. Languages: Cantonese and Mandarin. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate.Email: Sandy Yeung
Barbara C. Zeller (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Ontario and British Columbia. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., Hons, 2001); University of Victoria (LL.B., 2004). Barbara Zeller practises a wide spectrum of land-based matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and property development of retail, commercial, and industrial properties. Barbara practised law in Vancouver for two years before moving to Toronto and joining the firm. Barbara has experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of agreements and documents in connection with land development, real estate related transactions, and leasing, as well as strong research skills to pursue complex questions. She also understands that legal issues never exist in a vacuum; they are always tied to your business choices and strategy and need to be approached as part of a larger picture. In addition to her other client files, Barbara is part of a team that acts for a major U.S. retailer with respect to its purchase, development and expansion of big box stores throughout Ontario. She is also part of a team that provides title summaries of leased retail premises to a well-known national chain and to a property management company in relation to its shopping-centre holdings. Barbara is also part of a team acting for a public entity in its land acquisitions. Member: Ontario and Canadian Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate; Infrastructure and Public Projects.Email: Barbara C. Zeller
SOLICITORS
M. Jill Dougherty (Solicitor) admitted to bar, 1986, Ontario. Education: York University (B.A., 1981); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1984). Jill Dougherty has over 20 years of experience acting on behalf of both private and public sector clients. She appears regularly as counsel before the trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals in many aspects of public law. Jill specializes in public law and civil litigation focusing on professional self-regulation and discipline, judicial review of government decision-making, alcohol and gaming, access to information and privacy, municipal and provincial planning approvals and aboriginal land claims. In addition, Jill has broad experience in real estate-related litigation, including hearings before the Ontario Municipal Board and civil actions concerning land development and construction. Jill has also acted for a number of municipalities and private sector clients in litigation relating to aboriginal land claims. Jill has been an instructor at the Public Law Section of the Bar Admission Course and a contributor to the Course materials. She has acted as an instructor at the Intensive Trial Advocacy and various Advocates' Society programs and has delivered various papers at seminars and conferences. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Government; Property.Email: M. Jill Dougherty
Carole McAfee Wallace (Solicitor) admitted to bar, 1994, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1983); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1992). Carole is a member of the firm's litigation practice, with a focus on regulatory compliance, quasi-criminal defence work and employment issues. She has developed an expertise in transportation law. Carole practises civil litigation with a focus on transportation, regulatory compliance and employment law. She represents some of Canada's largest bus and trucking companies on a wide variety of transportation issues, including disciplinary matters and compliance with legislative requirements. Carole defends her clients in Provincial Offences Courts across the province on a wide range of regulatory compliance issues. She appears on her clients' behalf before administrative tribunals. Carole also practices in the area of employment law, including wrongful dismissal, employment standards, human rights, contract and policy drafting. Carole is the Chair of WeirFoulds' Employment Law Practice Group. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Transportation Law; Litigation; Employment Law.Email: Carole McAfee Wallace
Maralynne A. Monteith (Solicitor) admitted to bar, 1980, Ontario. Education: Queen's University (B.Comm., Honours, 1975); University of Toronto (J.A., 1978). Maralynne Monteith is a senior tax practitioner with a diverse practice founded on her in-depth experience in both income tax and commodity tax matters servicing domestic and international clients. Maralynne has a broad-based tax practice in the areas of income and commodity taxes, both federal and provincial, including domestic and international taxation, GST, financing, transfer pricing and other cross-border issues, both corporate and personal and both in-bound and out-bound Canada. She has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants' In-depth Tax Course and has extensive experience in the negotiation and implementation of commercial and financing transactions across a wide spectrum of industries, for both private and public companies, their employees and independent contractors and also provides tax advice to charitable and other not-for-profit entities. Prior to joining WeirFoulds LLP, she was a partner with a broad-based tax practice at a Toronto law firm with particular expertise in transportation, corporate, commercial and condominium law, followed by a major national law firm at its office in Toronto. She also spent over four years as the senior in-house tax counsel for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and managed the in-house tax counsel group, providing domestic and international tax advisory services to the CIBC group of companies worldwide. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Cross-border Transactions; Income and Commodity Tax Law; Merger and Aquisitions.Email: Maralynne A. Monteith
Leslie J. O'Connor (Solicitor) admitted to bar, 1974, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1969; LL.B., 1972). Les O'Connor is a senior litigation lawyer specializing in mediation and arbitration. He has been involved in all facets of construction related work for over 34 years. Les is a senior litigation lawyer and the chair of the firm's mediation practice. He has been involved in all facets of construction related work for over 34 years. He has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario, trial and appellate, including the Supreme Court of Canada. His practice deals with issues relating to construction liens, from the claimant and defence perspectives, advising clients such as municipalities and private industry contractors and owners about construction contracts, tendering and RFP issues, bond and insurance claims, delay claims and other construction associated issues. Les' past cases have included lengthy trials concerning liens on the Hamilton Sewage Treatment Plant, runway construction at the Mount Hope Airport, and, more recently, Bad Concrete in housing developments in the G.T.A. Les is a fully trained Mediator and Arbitrator. He has taught in the Bar Admission Course on Advocacy for a number of years and is past Vice chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the Ontario Bar Association. He is a member, director and former president of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and active in both its Construction and Employment Sections. He has recently taught seminar courses in Construction Law for both the Ontario General Contractors Association (O.G.C.A.) and George Brown College. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Construction; Insurance; Estates.Email: Leslie J. O'Connor
A. Samuel Wakim, Q.C. (Solicitor) admitted to bar, 1962, New Brunswick; 1965, Ontario. Education: Saint Francis Xavier (B.Sc., 1959); University of New Brunswick Law School (B.C.L., 1962). Sam Wakim QC is a consultant to the firm on both business and government related issues. He also has extensive experience in negotiations in the private and public sectors. Sam acts as counsel on both business and government related issues. His advice is enhanced by his background in public service and the business community. He served as Member of Parliament for the Toronto riding of Don Valley East in 1979-1980. His experience includes monitoring and analyzing political and public policy developments, assessing the impact of emerging government policy and providing strategic advice on advocacy efforts. Sam has received Certificates of Achievement in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Faculty of Law of the University of Windsor. He has extensive experience in negotiations in the private and public sector. Represented the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney in litigation with German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber. Member: Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Government.Email: A. Samuel Wakim, Q.C.
RETIRED PARTNERS
Allan McNiece "Mac" Austin (Retired Partner) admitted to bar, 1954, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (LL.B., 1952). The Honourable Allan McNiece Austin is counsel to the firm, providing the insight and experience of 37 years of practice and 17 years on the bench. Mac Austin has joined the firm's ADR practice and does mediations and arbitrations. He provides the litigation group at WeirFoulds LLP with ongoing advice and input on a variety of ongoing cases. Mac was an articling student, lawyer and partner at Mason, Foulds (now WeirFoulds LLP) from 1952 to 1986. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario (Trial Division) (now the Superior Court) in December 1986, and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in May 1992. He has had a distinguished career as a litigator and jurist. His practice experience includes litigation and administrative law, including personal injury, construction, engineering, liens, medical, dental and legal malpractice, combines, anti-trust, commercial, insurance, arbitrations and workers' compensation. Between 1954 and 1986 he acted as counsel to the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario (now WSIB). In the period 1973 to 1986 he was counsel to Shell Canada Limited throughout a lengthy inquiry by the Federal Competition Authorities into the petroleum industry. He was appointed by the Superior Court of Ontario to supervise the evaluation of claims under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in the Air Canada and Stelco cases. He is a panel member with ADR Chambers and has done mediation in the areas of professional and commercial disputes. Member: Ontario Bar Association; Canadian Bar Association. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Arbitrator; Litigation Counsel.Email: Allan McNiece "Mac" Austin
John D. McKellar, C.M., Q.C. (Retired Partner) admitted to bar, 1959, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1955); Osgoode Hall. John McKellar CM QC has a broad practice area covering most commercial, corporate and non-profit matters. John's practice involves many commercial and international issues as advisors to lenders, borrowers, banks, financial institutions, project constructors, architects and engineers, and manufacturers obtaining work abroad. Transactions have ranged from those of modest size to those of over a billion dollars. He advises small and large corporations on various business matters, including major acquisitions, financing, re-organizations and divestitures, and has advised the Canadian Tax Foundation on tax matters and the Law Society of Upper Canada on legal matters. Member: Ontario Bar Association; International Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate and Commercial Transactions; Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations; Corporate Governance.Email: John D. McKellar, C.M., Q.C.
Michael J. McQuaid, Q.C. (Retired Partner) admitted to bar, 1965, Ontario. Education: University of Toronto (B.A., 1957); Osgoode Hall (LL.B., 1963). Michael McQuaid QC is recognized as one of Canada's leading land development lawyers. Mike is a senior litigation and administrative law counsel. He has extensive experience in the municipal law area, particularly before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and Boards involving environmental, expropriation and other matters. He has extensive experience in processing developments in the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario, including the Oak Ridges Moraine area. He is past external counsel for the City of Toronto for the development of the Railway Lands, including the SkyDome Precinct, and acted for the City of Burlington in the application for the first major regional waste management undertaking to be heard under the Environmental Assessment Act before a Joint Board. He acted for the Ottawa Senators before the OMB leading to the approval of the "Palladium," formerly Corel Stadium, now Scotiabank Place, in the Ottawa area. Mike was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1979. Mike is selected as one of the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada by Lexpert and American Lawyer Media. He is also recognized as a leading practitioner in Toronto in land use planning work in the Canadian Legal Directory by Lexpert. He has written articles in the areas of municipal planning, municipal finance and environmental matters. Member: Ontario Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation and Administrative Law; Development, Municipal, and Land Use Planning Law; Environmental Law.Email: Michael J. McQuaid, Q.C.