Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
Issue link: https://digital.carswellmedia.com/i/1484268
Lexpert-ranked leading litigation lawyers 72 www.lexpert.ca Potter, E. Rebecca Thorsteinssons LLP > (416) 864-0855 erpotter@thor.ca Becky Potter is a partner practicing in the firm's Toronto office. Becky focuses her practice on all aspects of taxpayer representation and tax litigation. She has successfully represented clients at every level of court both provincially (in Ontario) and federally, including a recent landmark win at the Supreme Court of Canada. In addition to her in- court experience, she has extensive out-of-court experience negotiating favourable settlements for her clients. Becky also devotes time to assisting charities and not-for-profits with their interactions with the Canada Revenue Agency. Becky is an active member of the tax law community: she speaks regularly at continuing legal education programs, she contributes frequently to written publications, and she participates in several formal and informal mentoring programs. Becky is the partner responsible for the recruitment of students and associates in the firm's Toronto office. LAWYER TO WATCH Pratte, Guy J. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) > (416) 700-6265 gpratte@blg.com Guy focuses his practice on complex litigation including commercial law, class actions, administrative law, and constitutional law. Fully bilingual and called to the Bars of Ontario and Québec, Guy has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada in approximately 25 cases, and is likely if not the only counsel in Canada that regularly argues cases involving civil law and common law matters. Guy pleads regularly in the Superior and Appeal Courts of Ontario and Québec, as well as the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, former president of e Advocates' Society, and a director of the Supreme Court of Canada Advocacy Institute. He taught courses focused on the Supreme Court of Canada at the University of Toronto as an adjunct professor. He is a recipient of the Law Society of Ontario medal and of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation. He is also highly recognized in various industry directories, including Chambers Global (Dispute Resolution), e Best Lawyers in Canada, and Who's Who Legal. Guy was named Advocatus Emeritus by the Québec Bar for "outstanding contributions to the legal profession." Guy has held several management positions at BLG, and is currently Chair Emeritus of BLG. Ptak, Jonathan Koskie Minsky LLP > (416) 595-2149 jptak@kmlaw.ca Partner. Jonathan's practice focuses on class proceedings and commercial litigation. He is counsel in class actions in a wide variety of areas, including Crown liability, product liability, securities misrepresentation, employment law, public health, pension litigation and other matters. Jonathan has been involved in many landmark cases and some of the largest class action settlements in Canada. For example, he is co-lead counsel in Heyder v. Canada involving alleged sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence. It settled for $900 million, which is one of the largest class action settlements in Canadian history. He was lead counsel in Rosen v. BMO, the first overtime case to be certified on behalf of investment advisors which has since settled. He is lead counsel in Keeping v. HMQ regarding institutional abuse in youth Training Schools. He has been appointed to sit on the Ontario Class Action Bench-Bar Liaison Committee and speaks and publishes regularly on issues related to class actions and commercial litigation. He received his LLB in 2001 from the University of Toronto and his BA Hons in 1996 from McGill University. Rebane, Blair A. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) > (604) 640-4130 brebane@blg.com Blair Rebane is a partner in the BLG Vancouver office. He has experience advising franchisors in all types of franchise matters. Blair's practice also focuses on the area of contract law, with an emphasis on landlord/tenant matters, construction disputes, and creditors' remedies. His clients include Canada's largest franchisors, manufacturers, landlords, and those involved at all levels of the construction industry. Blair has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court of Canada on franchise, construction, and landlord/tenant matters. In addition, Blair has taught, published, and presented extensively on franchise law. He is recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada for Franchise Law (since 2008) and Corporate and Commercial Litigation (since 2013), the 2023 (and since 2017) editions of Chambers Canada: Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Franchising – Nationwide). Blair was also named Vancouver Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year by e Best Lawyers in Canada (2021, 2019, 2017, and 2013). Reynolds, R. Bruce Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP > (416) 585-8601 breynolds@singleton.com Bruce Reynolds is Co-managing partner and a named partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. He practices contentious and non-contentious construction law. Former counsel to the Ontario Government in expert review of the Construction Lien Act. Co-author, A Guide to Canadian Construction Insurance Law, Scott and Reynolds on Surety Bonds, and Construction, Builders and Mechanics' Liens in Canada (7th ed.). e only Canadian lawyer among the most highly regarded construction lawyers internationally. Noted by Who's Who Legal as "'a top practitioner'. He was the most highly nominated practitioner, and the only Canadian lawyer to be featured." Rated Band 1 for construction law, Chambers Global. Past Co-Chair, International Construction Projects Committee, International Bar Association. Past Governor, American College of Construction Lawyers. Co-Chair, International Committee, American College of Construction Lawyers. Member, Board of Governors, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.