The Legal 500 > Canada > Canada > Dispute resolution

Baker McKenzie has an emphasis on cross-border litigation and fraud-related disputes, with strong experience in advising major financial institutions on fraud, white-collar crime and financial recovery matters. The firm is also well versed in class actions, particularly multi-jurisdictional cases where it benefits from the ability to link up with its highly regarded global dispute resolution offering. Senior contacts include John Pirie, who leads the Canadian litigation and government enforcement group, and Matthew Latella. Up-and-coming partner Michael Nowina and talented associate Christina Doria are also recommended.

Historically a leader in Alberta, Bennett Jones LLP’s increasingly formidable national commercial litigation group continues to raise its profile in Ontario. Additionally, the group’s Vancouver office houses a growing litigation offering, which is backed-up by a robust arbitration practice. In Calgary, the firm remains a top choice for complex corporate and commercial disputes, with strong skill sets in energy, mining, construction and technology-related matters. Blair Yorke-Slader QC is widely recognized as a leader, particularly in energy litigation, while fraud co-chair Munaf Mohamed has a focus on civil fraud and international asset recovery claims. The Calgary office also includes a strong band of younger partners including Michael Mysak, who focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, and Laura Gill, who specializes in energy, Indigenous law and environmental law matters. The Toronto-based team covers a full range of contentious matters, with class actions, fraud cases, securities litigation and health law among its strong suits. Jeffrey Leon and Robert Staley are both highly regarded for class actions and securities litigation. Class actions co-head Michael Eizenga is also a senior name in Toronto. Ranjan Agarwal is also recommended.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP advises on a wide range of contentious matters, with financial services litigation, administrative law, product liability and white-collar crime standing out as strong suits. The group is particularly dominant in Alberta, which is the seat of go-to energy litigator Randall Block QC. In British Columbia, Robert Deane is recommended for his broad expertise, which spans commercial litigation, arbitration, privacy and IP disputes. Guy Pratte is a key name for class actions and complex constitutional law cases; he splits his time between Ontario and Quebec. The Quebec group is also known for its strong record in class actions.

According to satisfied clients, Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP ‘works well with other experts to deliver practical advice’. The Calgary-based group is best known for its track record in energy, construction and securities disputes, including arbitration. Seasoned litigator Daniel McDonald QC handles a mix of litigation and arbitration and sources say, ‘he does not get rattled’. Jeffrey Sharpe is another experienced name and is recommended for construction disputes. Senior associate Joanne Luu is noted for her experience both in commercial litigation and arbitration.

Split between its Montréal and Toronto offices, the disputes team at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is known for its ‘seamless coverage, flawless execution and exceptional service’. In Montréal, William Brock Ad E ranks among the most respected litigators in the Quebec market. Seasoned litigator Guy Du Pont Ad E is also highly sought after for his experience in sensitive white-collar crime matters and commercial litigation. Jean-Philippe Groleau has an emphasis on white-collar crime prosecution, as well as class actions. In Ontario, Toronto litigation head Kent Thomson is widely recognized as a market leader, having built an impressive record in complex cases, including securities litigation, competition cases and class actions. Sandra Forbes is another name to note for competition-related litigation, including class actions. Derek Ricci and Matthew Milne-Smith are up-and-coming litigators in Toronto.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP’s Canadian dispute resolution practice is fully integrated into the wider firm’s global practice, which fuels a significant volume of multi-jurisdictional litigation. Domestically, the group represents a diverse portfolio of clients, including major corporations, private companies, educational institutions and professional regulatory bodies. In British Columbia, national department co-chair John Landry advises on civil and regulatory litigation, while Vancouver chair David Neave is recognized for his experience in class actions. Contacts in Ontario include national co-chair David Foulds and impressive associate Simon McCleary. Heather Treacy QC is a key contact in Alberta, as is counsel Katrina Edgerton-McGhan, who advises on litigation, regulatory work and insurance.

British Columbia firm Farris LLP houses a broad dispute resolution practice spread across its platforms in Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria. A solid performer in corporate and commercial litigation, the firm’s regional focus also ensures a significant volume of energy, environmental and Indigenous law cases. Experienced litigator Ludmila Herbst QC is recommended, particularly for resource-related matters and constitutional disputes.

Toronto-based Goodmans LLP operates a deliberately lean dispute resolution group, which is routinely involved in high-profile, bet-the-company cases. The department combines general commercial litigation experience with specialist expertise in several core market segments, including securities, competition, construction and technology. Seasoned litigator Alan Mark is a key contact and is sought after for his strong skill sets in corporate and commercial litigation, class actions and electricity law and regulation. Other key figures include David Conklin, who stands out for his experience in commercial and securities litigation, and Julie Rosenthal, who, over the past year, has led on multiple of the team's most significant class actions and competition-related claims. Up-and-coming partner Peter Kolla is also recommended, as is associate Michael Wilson, who recently rejoined the firm following a 20-month stint at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, where he was chief of staff.

Hakemi & Ridgedale LLP’s ‘cohesive and very thorough’ team stands out for its ‘genuinely personal commitment’. The Vancouver-based litigation boutique is adept in a wide range of contentious matters, with notable experience in corporate and commercial disputes, securities litigation and administrative law. Tom Hakemi focuses on business disputes, fraud cases, defamation and competition and co-heads the practice alongside Lisa Ridgedale.

Montreal-based IMK LLP is widely considered among the leading litigation boutiques in Quebec. The 21-lawyer group covers the full scope of dispute resolution matters, from estate and trust law cases, through to securities litigation and major class actions. High-profile litigator Doug Mitchell handles a mix of commercial and constitutional law disputes.

JSS Barristers has broad experience in complex litigation, but is perhaps best known for its reputation in energy and construction cases, in line with its Calgary headquarters. Other sweet spots include data protection and class actions, as well as general commercial litigation. Key contacts include Carsten Jensen QC, who is highly regarded for his premier expertise in oil and gas disputes and class actions; senior litigator Bryan Duguid QC; and class actions co-head Kajal Ervin. Associate Cassandra Sutter is also recommended.

Lavery, de Billy is one of the largest independent law firms in Quebec. Largely active on behalf of clients in the areas of manufacturing, financial services and real estate, the team has extensive experience in a variety of commercial litigation, including class actions. Montréal-based Jonathan Warin heads up the practice group.

Lawson Lundell LLP’s focus on Western Canada marks it as a popular choice for clients in core regional industries, including mining, energy, forestry and technology. The group is also distinguished by its ability to lean on the wider firm’s robust offerings in complementary practice areas, such as Indigenous and environmental law. The department is split between offices in BC and Alberta, with its Vancouver team remaining the most prominent. Craig Ferris QC is a name to note in Vancouver; he is recommended for his experience in shareholder remedies, product liability, mining litigation and financial services, particularly pension disputes. In Calgary, Michael Donaldson has a strong record in energy litigation.

A dominant Toronto-based boutique, Lenczner Slaght LLP is regarded by many as one of Canada’s leading litigation firms. Recognized across the country as a force in complex disputes, the group’s deep bench, broad industry experience and pre-eminent record in cutting-edge cases ensures that it is regularly involved in many of the market’s most high-profile matters. Peter Griffin is widely acknowledged as one of Canada’s foremost litigators and is noted for his wide-ranging experience, including commercial litigation, class actions and professional liability cases. Managing partner Tom Curry is another standout litigator, lauded for his expertise at trial and appeals. Monique Jilesen had a banner year, which saw her lead a significant share of the firm’s headline cases; she co-heads the department alongside Eli Lederman. Other key names include Ronald Slaght QC and Peter Osborne. The firm also houses a talented band of younger lawyers, which includes associate Christopher Yung.

Lerners LLP houses a 34-lawyer strong dispute resolution practice, which is split between its offices in London and Toronto. The group has experience across the full spread of civil and commercial matters, with real estate litigation, insurance disputes and administrative law cases among its key areas. London practice lead Carolyn Brandow and Toronto group head William Pepall are the names to note.

Since its formation in 2017, McEwan Partners has hit the ground running, with sources affirming it has ‘successfully emerged as a leading BC boutique’. The Vancouver-based firm is routinely involved in significant regional and national cases, with an emphasis on corporate, commercial and securities litigation. Widely revered name partner Kenneth McEwan QC is regarded by many as the ‘dean of the BC litigation Bar’. Robert Cooper QC, who has a focus on corporate, commercial and securities litigation, and Craig Dennis QC are also senior litigators. Up-and-coming partner Emily Kirkpatrick is recommended for civil and administrative law matters, while Eric Aitken is a promising associate.

Corporate heavyweight Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP fields a leading national class actions practice, with strong regional footholds in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Though it is best known for its record in class actions, the group advises on the full spread of matters, from commercial litigation through to constitutional and environmental law cases, with significant expertise in multi-jurisdictional disputes. In Toronto, Larry Lowenstein is highly sought after for his first-class experience in corporate and securities litigation, including class actions. Deborah Glendinning is another high-profile name for class actions. Shawn Irving, who primarily acts for corporate, banking and financial sector clients, is also noted in Toronto. In Calgary, Maureen Killoran QC is highly regarded for her energy and natural resources litigation practice. Calgary-based future star Melanie Gaston has a focus on energy and construction work, along with securities and insolvency cases. Contacts in Montréal include Éric Préfontaine and Céline Legendre, who sits in both the class action defence, and privacy and data management groups.

Calgary-based Peacock Linder Halt & Mack LLP focuses exclusively on litigation and dispute resolution matters, acting for a variety of clients ranging from individuals through to global corporations. A distinguished name for energy disputes, the firm’s Alberta headquarters also generates a significant share of environmental, construction and administrative law cases. Perry Mack QC is a contact in the team.

Stikeman Elliott LLP’s national practice has a stellar reputation for domestic and multi-jurisdictional class actions, particularly complex competition, consumer protection and financial services-related cases. It is equally adept in commercial litigation across a number of core market segments, leveraging its ability to work alongside other highly ranked departments across the full-service firm. The group’s Quebec offering is considered by many to be among the best in the market, with Montréal litigation lead Éric Mongeau respected for his experience in the areas of energy, transport, telecoms and construction. Yves Martineau, who excels in class actions, is also highly regarded in Montréal. Eliot Kolers spearheads the Toronto team and has an emphasis on commercial disputes, competition matters and securities litigation. Other names to note in Toronto include seasoned litigator and national department co-chair David Byers; Katherine Kay, who is widely revered for her expertise in competition litigation and class actions; and associate Sinziana Hennig. David Brown heads the team in Vancouver, with Melanie Teetaert recommended for energy litigation. Michael Mestinsek is the key contact in Calgary.

Widely hailed as a leader in securities litigation, Stockwoods LLP Barristers regularly represents clients in Ontario Securities Commission investigations and proceedings, as well as in related class actions. The Toronto-based boutique also has strong offerings in civil and commercial litigation, criminal matters and administrative law cases. Paul Le Vay is highly regarded for his specialist securities litigation experience.