LEXPERT • December 2014 | www.lexpert.ca | 75
Robert Staley's practice focuses on complex commercial, securities and class-action liti-
gation and securities enforcement. He has a broad trial and appellate practice in all levels
of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and before provincial securities com-
missions. Staley regularly advises Boards of Directors, Audit Committees and Special
Committees in connection with internal and regulatory investigations and in connection
with litigious transactions. Peer-review publications have recognized Staley as "a brilliant
lawyer — he's a real strategist, has the ability to see the big picture, and does a superb job …
in court," for "his skilled handling of complex cases," as "absolutely fi rst rate at examining
and cross-examining witnesses," for his "excellent courtroom presence," his ability to pro-
vide "practical and concise advice," as "a masterful strategic thinker" and as "an extremely
able, tactical lawyer who always knows cases inside-out." In 2014 he was recognized by
Benchmark Canada as Canada's Securities Litigator of the Year.
Founding partner. Glenn Smith has a diverse commercial litigation practice with an em-
phasis on class actions and complex insurance litigation. He has been retained on some of
the most signifi cant insurance law cases in Canada. He has a special interest in product li-
ability and cases involving insurance coverage of corporate directors and offi cers, as well as
the legal dimensions of technology. Smith was on the Ontario Task Force for implement-
ing the Ontario e-Discovery Guidelines. He frequently lectures to professional organiza-
tions on e-discovery, technology and the law. He has taught trial advocacy for many years
and is a certifi ed mediator.
Partner in litigation and dispute resolution, with a focus on corporate, commercial and
public law issues. Co-chair of the fi rm's Commercial Litigation practice group. Has com-
prehensive and extensive trial and appellate experience, having appeared before all levels of
court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, Supreme Court of Canada and an array of
administrative and arbitral tribunals. Practice specialties include corporate disputes, share-
holder oppression issues, commercial disputes, restructurings, injunctions, arbitrations,
professional negligence, economic torts, professional discipline, estates litigation, health
law and administrative and constitutional law. A director of e Advocates' Society. Rec-
ognized in e 2013 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in
Canada. Was one of Lexpert®'s original "Leading Lawyers Under 40" in Canada in its in-
augural 2002 list, and is regularly recognized as a leading corporate and commercial litiga-
tor in peer-ranked publications. LLB and BCL, with Honors, McGill University.
Partner. Lawrence acker is recognized nationally as one of Canada's leading trial and
appellate counsel. He has particular expertise and experience in international law and
cross-border matters, as well as commercial arbitrations. He has extensive experience and a
proven track record in complex and cross-border litigation, including mergers & acquisi-
tions, securities disputes, class actions, commercial litigation and arbitrations, insolvency
and restructuring, and intellectual property cases. acker taught international law in the
Political Science Department at the University of Toronto for more than 10 years. He also
leads courses in trial advocacy at e Advocates' Society and in Osgoode Hall Law School's
Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop. acker has received recognition for his litigation
work from both Lexpert® and Benchmark. He is an expert speaker on advocacy, interna-
tional arbitration, class actions and securities litigation.
Robert W.
Staley
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (416) 777-4857
Fax: (416) 863-1716
Toronto
Glenn Smith
Lenczner Slaght
Royce Smith
Griffi n LLP
Tel: (416) 865-2927
Fax: (416) 865-2853
Toronto
Richard B.
Swan
Bennett
Jones LLP
Tel: (416) 777-7479
Fax: (416) 863-1716
Toronto
Lawrence E.
Thacker
Lenczner Slaght
Royce Smith
Griffi n LLP
Tel: (416) 865-3097
Fax: (416) 865-2856
Toronto
staleyr@bennettjones.com
gsmith@litigate.com
swanr@bennettjones.com
lthacker@litigate.com
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