Litigation: General Commercial
Canada Guide 2025 : Ontario
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 362 2111About
Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler's Ontario Litigation team works collaboratively with clients to find the best possible outcome for their business needs – whether that be a negotiated settlement or fighting for the issue in court, mediation, or arbitration. Osler regularly participates in hearings before a variety of provincial and federal tribunals, such as the Financial Services Tribunal, the Ontario Municipal Board, the Environmental Assessment Board and the Ontario Securities Commission, as well as representing clients in various forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Chambers Review
With an impressive litigation team in Toronto, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt regularly defends clients against multi-jurisdictional class actions, as well as advising on commercial and securities litigation. The firm possesses additional expertise advising on fraud, professional negligence and tax-related litigation, and demonstrates notable proficiency handling disputes resulting from competition, securities and environmental investigations. The department has a strong profile in the financial services sector and benefits from the support of the firm's integrated national litigation platform, as well as the cross-border capabilities born from its extensive US network.
Work Highlights
- Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt represented BlackRock Financial Management in an action for breach of contract for non-payment of loans by the defendant, Bridging Finance, alongside allegations of fraud.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Osler are highly responsive. Their service levels are excellent and they appreciate when matters are time-sensitive."
"Our work is extremely complex and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt provide excellent advice."
"Osler has bench strength in every area and always brings highly skilled and personable professionals onto our files. Osler seems to have an expert available for any matter or crisis we have had."
"Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt understand the client objective and execute it flawlessly. They understand the business side of litigation. The entire team is terrific."
"They provide fact-based analysis, they're responsive and they build a deep understanding of the nuances of the facts and the relationship to the law."
"Osler are highly responsive. Their service levels are excellent and they appreciate when matters are time-sensitive."
"Our work is extremely complex and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt provide excellent advice."
"Osler has bench strength in every area and always brings highly skilled and personable professionals onto our files. Osler seems to have an expert available for any matter or crisis we have had."
"Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt understand the client objective and execute it flawlessly. They understand the business side of litigation. The entire team is terrific."
"They provide fact-based analysis, they're responsive and they build a deep understanding of the nuances of the facts and the relationship to the law."
Notable Practitioners
Toronto-based Lawrence Ritchie is notable for the depth and breadth of his practice in the securities space. He has extensive experience representing clients in litigation stemming from OSC investigations, as well as other regulatory disputes and securities class action suits.
"Lawrence is just really fantastic. He really understands our business and what the hot-button things are from a regulatory perspective."
"Larry brings vast experience and strong commercial judgement to the table."
Mark Gelowitz has experience handling a broad range of disputes, including those in the technology, insurance, real estate and PE sectors. Based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office, he is additionally instructed for his representation in class action proceedings.
"Mark is a strong litigator and, most importantly, gives practical advice. I always get his forthright view and he doesn't shy away from speaking about challenges and his views on the best way forward."
Based in Toronto, Craig Lockwood represents clients in securities class actions and OSC investigations, acting for both corporate entities and individual executives. He also has an active product liability practice.
"Craig is a wonderful guy. He is very sensible, smart and cooperative. I couldn't recommend him enough. He knows his stuff and has good judgement. I would hire Craig any day of the week."
"He showed clear depth of understanding and offered practical advice."
National litigation department chair Sonia Bjorkquist is a well-respected practitioner with notable experience handling product liability class actions. She represents her clients from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office.
"When we have a complex litigation we want Sonia on the file, as she brings her powerhouse ability in the most authentic and unassuming way."
Lauren Tomasich is based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office, where she handles commercial disputes, securities matters, white-collar defence and enforcement proceedings.
"Lauren is extremely fixated on getting the best outcome possible.She does not back away from a fight and knows the difference between the ones worth fighting and the ones worth walking away from."
"Lauren is smart, hard-working and an elite-level advocate. She brings insights that you can appreciate due to their strategic thoughtfulness. She has helped me win every litigation file, full stop."
"Lauren is excellent."
Robert Carson has a fast-growing reputation for his securities litigation practice, which includes strengths in both M&A litigation and securities class action defence. He is based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office.
"Robert has exceptional memory and attention to detail."
"Rob is very knowledgeable in the securities litigation field. He is very organised and knowledgeable. He's also responsive and effective."
Ranked Lawyers at
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Ontario
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