Top Lawyers In Canada

Sara Cohen

Creator, Fertility Law Canada at D2Law LLP, Toronto, Ont. Cohen has committed her career to 2 activities which have shifted the practice of fertility law for the greater in Canada and beyond. She has spent hundreds of hours training and teaching on the subject of fertility as an adjunct professor, at home and overseas. Her collegiality in a highly aggressive region of the law, really underlines Cohen's dedication to enhancing the practice of fertility legislation. More importantly she pushes change she wants to view in this burgeoning area of law. Recent lobbying efforts are certain to repay; among them to obtain coverage for in vitro fertilization services through Ontario's health program in addition to changes to the family law legislation that would explain a sperm donor isn't a parent just by virtue of being a donor. Lastly, she is the very first adjunct professor in the nation to give a course solely dedicated to reproductive law in Canada, helping clear the route for prospective area professionals. What voters had to say: Sara was instrumental in improving the law in assisted reproductive technologies. Genuinely cares about her area of expertise. This isn't just a task for Sara, it's her passion.

Pascal Paradis

Executive manager, Lawyers Without Borders Canada, Quebec City, Que. Also back to his second time around the Best 25, Paradis is a unstoppable force and a fervent advocate for human rights, especially for women and children. Thanks to Paradis' initiative, the Quebec bar joined LWBC to behave as international counsel in favour of Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger condemned to prison and flogging for his comments criticizing the plan. Since January 2015, Paradis and LWBC are leading a consortium of Canadian organizations working on a wide-range five-year job to foster justice. They aim to implement means of balancing and prevention for women victims of sexual violence and other individuals affected by the Malian armed battle. He also speaks at several international conferences on human rights problems. What Republicans needed to say: He's left a very profitable position at a large federal law firm to go LWBC for a very small paycheque because he followed his heart and his passion.

Murray Klippenstein

Founder, Klippensteins Barristers & Solicitors, Toronto, Ont. Back for the second year on the Top 25, Klippenstein's ongoing representation of 13 members of the native Mayan Q'eqchi' population from El Estor, Guatemala, continues to make waves. Three related lawsuits are before the Ontario courts against Canadian mining firm Hudbay Minerals within the brutal killing of Adolfo Ich and the gang rape of 11 women from Lote Ocho. In a precedent-setting ruling in July of 2013, an Ontario court decided that lawsuits could proceed to trial in Canada over the objections of Hudbay Minerals. At home he is also taking on the big men in a case against Encana Corp. which 's challenging the law and practice of hydraulic fracking at Canada. What Republicans needed to say: Kudos for standing up for, upholding Canadian values, wherever we operate.

Wayne Myles

Counsel, Cox & Palmer, St. John's, N.L. Myles' recent claim to fame is that the $3-billion international merger of Barbados-based Columbus International Inc. with England-based Cable & Wireless Communications PLC.. His M&A experience, combined with his dedicated client connections, have not only led to the largest deal in the telecommunications company's history, but demonstrated that major foreign deals are being deftly managed by an Atlantic Canadian law firm. He's also acted as lead counsel and strategic advisor on numerous acquisitions, licensing, and financing of several subsea and terrestrial telecommunications companies in the global fish processing and marketing sector. Myles also advised on aviation issues, on many domestic and international commercial insolvency and restructuring projects and on power and transport matters. What voters had to say:[An] excellent lawyer with international vision. Massive advantage to any trade.

Poonam Puri

Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ont. Though Puri might not be involved in the largest transactions of this year or many publicized lawsuit, her perform indelibly shapes the disagreements and strategies of many attorneys. Her influence is reflected by the eagerness of the Canadian legal community to listen and respond to her viewpoints and observations on the current condition of the law and recommendations concerning what could be done to develop a more honest, just, and responsive legal system. She has led research plans including important corporate securities regulation initiatives in Canada (National Securities Regulator document ) and has been recently appointed by the Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, since the specialist adviser for the Credit Unions' legislative acts review. She is a popular and respected professor and highly regarded by practitioners in the corporate-commercial bar. What Republicans needed to say: Outstanding talent. Unassuming trendsetter. Wise beyond her years. Will be an influence for many years to come on the corporate phase in Canada. Outstanding research and technical skills.