Insight

Vanguards of Victory: Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada 2024

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada has been announced, and the lawyers showcased by these awards are rising to the challenge each day as advocates for clients all across the country.

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Written by Best Lawyers

Published: August 23, 2023

Best Lawyers^® introduced Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada^™ two years ago, and now, as we unveil the highly anticipated third edition for 2024, these exceptional lawyers continue to demonstrate that talent within the Canadian legal community knows no bounds.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada was, and continues to be, a mission to spotlight emerging talent and highlight the innovation, expertise and dedication these Canadian lawyers have to their careers. It is a distinguished platform celebrating the lawyers who are poised to significantly impact and contribute to the legal field.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada 2024

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada shows significant growth among recognized lawyers, firms and practice areas. The 2024 edition honours 1,350 lawyers in 240 firms across the country, with awards in more than 50 practice areas.

Blue and black text and symbols for Canada Ones to Watch Stats 2024

Among the recognized practice areas, the top five with the most honorees are Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Labour and Employment Law and Real Estate Law.

“Recognition in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada is a milestone for many lawyers,” stated Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. “This early career success not only inspires the honorees but validates their chosen paths into the legal field. This accolade is a testament to these lawyers’ pursuit of justice, their contributions to the legal profession and their unwavering dedication to their clients and their crafts.”

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada honorees are true trailblazers, carving new paths in an industry that upholds tradition while still pushing toward innovation and discovery. These vanguards have celebrated career victories in court for their clients, their firms and themselves, and it is our honour to recognize their efforts through these prestigious awards.

The Future Looks Bright

It is important to Best Lawyers that we expand our recognition platform to encompass the practice areas and talented lawyers who continue to steer this ever-evolving legal landscape. We embrace this growth and remain committed to upholding the excellence and esteem these lawyers bring to the legal community, and we continue to celebrate the talent wielded by those we honour as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada recipients.

Headline Image: AdobeStock/Andrii Yalanskyi

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Resources For Lawyers

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

James V. Maniace

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Corporate Law

Energy Law

Recognized since 2016 by

James V. Maniace

James V. Maniace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Energy Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. James V., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James V. Maniace

View Profile 614.221.2838

Travis J. Fulton

Philip J. Fulton Law Office

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants

Recognized since 2025 by

Travis J. Fulton

Travis J. Fulton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Travis J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Travis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Travis J. Fulton

View Profile 614.618.7699

Brandon A. Borgmann

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Trusts and Estates

Recognized since 2020 by

Brandon A. Borgmann

Brandon Borgmann joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in September of 2008 and practices in the areas of estate planning, business succession planning, probate, special needs law and tax. Brandon represents individuals, business owners and families concerning estate planning, tax planning and business succession planning. He also represents executors and trustees with respect to administration of estates and trusts, probate litigation and taxation.

 
Brandon A. Borgmann
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.628.0867

Pamela S. Krivda

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Labor Law - Management

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Recognized since 2011 by

Pamela S. Krivda

Pamela S. Krivda is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Pamela S., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pamela S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pamela S. Krivda

View Profile 614.221.2838

James J. Chester

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Corporate Law

Real Estate Law

Specific Focus

Automobile Dealerships

Recognized since 2008 by

James J. Chester

James J. Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

 
James J. Chester
  Website    Email    Address

View Profile 614.221.2838

Lloyd Pierre-Louis

Dickinson Wright PLLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Cannabis Law

Government Relations Practice

Recognized since 2021 by

Lloyd Pierre-Louis

Lloyd Pierre-Louis is a member of Dickinson Wright’s Cannabis Practice Group. His practice focuses on government affairs and administrative law, and particularly the legal cannabis and hemp industries. He represents clients providing the industry with equity and debt capital, equipment, devices, and other services. He also assists entities and individuals through every aspect of licensure, business operation, regulatory compliance, employment, and transactions with related businesses. L...

 
Lloyd Pierre-Louis
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.591.5490

Jacob W. Smith

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Family Law

Recognized since 2027 by

Jacob W. Smith

Jacob W. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jacob W., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacob W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jacob W. Smith

View Profile 614.221.2838

Jeffrey A. Yeager

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Intellectual Property

Recognized since 2021 by

Jeffrey A. Yeager

As a partner in Hahn Loeser’s Litigation and Commercial Services and Restructing Groups, Jeffrey A. Yeager provides clients involved in complex business and civil litigation with creative, practical advice and strategies for managing risk and resolving disputes. Jeff has extensive experience litigating, arbitrating and mediating cases in the context of business contracts and torts, government bidding and procurement, real estate transactions, business and asset sales, bankruptcy and cre...

 
Jeffrey A. Yeager
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.221.0240

Alexander M. Brown

Dickinson Wright PLLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Corporate Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Recognized since 2015 by

Alexander M. Brown

Alex Brown is a member of Dickinson Wright in Columbus, Ohio. He practices business transactional law, with an emphasis on advising privately-held and venture-capital backed companies in capital raising, mergers & acquisitions, and transactions involving technology, software, outsourcing, electronic commerce and intellectual property. He serves as outside counsel to a number of companies, from startup software businesses to national healthcare technology companies. Other areas of his prac...

 
Alexander M. Brown
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.744.2939

Gregory J. Dunn

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Municipal Law

Specific Focus

Common Carrier

Recognized since 2007 by

Gregory J. Dunn

Gregory J. Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Gregory J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory J. Dunn

View Profile 614.221.2838

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