Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP

Acting for domestic and international clients, Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb LLP is a litigation-focused firm based in Toronto. The team is led by Jonathan Lisus and Matthew Gottlieb, who have a proven track record in complex commercial litigation. Lisus draws on over 30 years of experience in contract disputes and professional liability. Gottlieb is particularly impressive in insolvency litigation and fraud. Other active members of the group are Crawford Smith (class actions and securities), Paul Fruitman (shareholder disputes and oppression claims), and Andrew Winton (corporate governance and real estate disputes). Rahool Agarwal, Nadia Campion, Michael Currie and John Carlo Mastrangelo are other names to note. In January 2025, Shaun Laubman left the team, whilst Philip Underwood was promoted to partner. All individuals mentioned work in Toronto.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team offers a unique and valuable combination of commercial litigation and regulatory expertise, sensitive to the different approaches, communications and strategies.’
‘Crawford Smith offers an efficient, practical and pragmatic approach, with a heightened degree of business acumen and regulatory expertise that is impressive and hard to come by. Brad Vermeersch punches above his weight, offering both financial and legal analytical strengths.’
‘Superior court room skills, hard-working, very client responsive, and solid academic credentials.’
‘The team worked very well together. Each member seemed to have discrete areas of responsibility but they very thoughtfully meshed their knowledge and work product so that there was seamless representation.'
‘Crawford Smith was the lead on the matter. He was totally dedicated to the client’s cause. Top of mind for him was always strategic assessment of new facts, new opportunities, etc. I felt our matter was the most important thing he was doing. Danielle Glatt was extremely diligent and very pleasant for me to deal with. Had a good mastery of the facts and of the process. The rest of the team were great - some had an area of expertise (Brad Vermeersch) while others were generalists charged with specific tasks - all well executed.’
‘Lax O'Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb (LOLG) is our go-to firm when we have litigation/dispute resolution matters that are particularly critical and/or sensitive. Their breadth and depth of knowledge is astounding and their work-ethic legendary. They garner instant respect from opposing counsel and judges which inevitably contributes to the timely and successful resolution of whatever issue we may need assistance with. ’

Key clients

Superior Plus Corporation
Selena Stronach/Stronach companies
Rogers Communications Inc.
Cannect International Mortgage Corporation
Métis Child, Family and Community Services
Minotar Holdings Inc.
Sackler Families
Bank of Montreal
ClubLink Corporation ULC
Live Work Learn Play Inc
Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society and ADR Institute of Canada
Vale entities, including Vale Canada Ltd.

Work highlights

Acted as counsel for Superior Plus in Alberta Court of Appeal reversing trial judgment awarding $25m reverse termination fee after United States antitrust merger review.

Acted as counsel for a class of children in care in a class action against the Government of Manitoba seeking compensation for Manitoba’s policy of forcibly misappropriating the Children’s Special Allowance.

Acted as counsel for Rogers Communications Inc. in a contractual dispute with Corus Media concerning television rights and defeated claims of injunctive relief, sealing orders, and other extraordinary remedies.

Lawyers

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