LEXPERT MAGAZINE
|
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 39
RISING STARS
| RISING STARS 2016 |
Rahool P. Agarwal
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT
CANADA LLP > TORONTO
Rahool Agarwal's practice involves share-
holder disputes, proxy battles, complex
contractual claims, fraud claims and consti-
tutional issues. He has acted as lead coun-
sel for Merck in patent-related litigation
against a generic pharmaceutical manufac-
turer and as co-counsel to Pfizer in a suc-
cessful defence to a proposed class action by
Viagra consumers. He has appeared before
appeal courts in three provinces and five
times before the Supreme Court of Can-
ada. He has also acted in notable public-
policy cases: R. v. N.S., on the right to wear
a niqab during cross-examination; Rasouli
v. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, on
physicians' unilateral right to withdraw
life support from minimally conscious pa-
tients; and Kazemi Estate v. Islamic Repub-
lic of Iran, on state immunity to a civil claim
for damages in state-sponsored torture. Ra-
hool is a pro bono leader within the firm
and the broader legal community.
Robin Aitken
COX & PALMER > CHARLOTTETOWN
Robin Aitken is Prince Edward Island
counsel to many public companies, includ-
ing a leading national grocer and a Big
ree telecom provider. She was recently
lead PEI counsel on a lengthy reorganiza-
tion of a $75-million loan facility. She is the
partner responsible for articling students
and recruits students for each of the firm's
four PEI offices. She has developed an ori-
entation program that provides students
with the skills they need to succeed at the
firm, and with the business-of-law knowl-
edge to develop successful practices. Robin
is a long-standing board member of Fitzroy
Centre, serving individuals with mental-
health issues. She supports and fundraises
for the Canadian Mental Health Associa-
tion on a regular basis and provides guid-
ance on housing issues. She is, in addition,
a board member of the Stars for Life Foun-
dation for Autism.
Imdad Ali
BMO FINANCIAL GROUP > TORONTO
Imdad Ali has led the legal group in a
number of transformational initiatives to
support stronger risk management and ef-
ficiencies through innovation. He led the
restructuring of BMO's external-counsel
program that rationalized BMO's panel
of external law firms to approximately 120
from 1,000; implemented new technol-
ogy for matter management and e-billing;
implemented new policies and procedures
across BMO that delivered immediate cost
and risk-management benefits; and has be-
come a model for non-legal transformation
projects. He has since begun a new role as
Legal Counsel and Senior Advisor on the
technology and operations legal team, de-
veloping an enterprise-engagement model
to manage the more than 100 matters the
team receives monthly. Imdad supports
the United Way, Community Living and
the S.E.N.A.C.A. Seniors Day Program in
Oakville, Ont. He has also acted as a coach
with the Oakville Soccer Club.
Daniel Anthony
SMART & BIGGAR/
FETHERSTONHAUGH > OTTAWA
Daniel Anthony is a recognized expert in
internet and domain-name law. He has
been responsible for enforcing trademarks
in Canada and the copyrights of hundreds
of clients worldwide, including many on
