Best Lawyers in Canada for Appellate Practice

For 30 years, Craig Dennis, Q.C. has represented clients in significant litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels. Craig is a partner at Dennis James Aitken LLP. His practice has a business focus with an emphasis on the effective resolution of complex commercial disputes. His litigation expertise includes the defense of class actions, professional liability, shareholder and related corporate disputes, product liability, land-related disputes, as well as administrative and constitut...

Megan Savard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Criminal Defence. Megan, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Megan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin Safayeni is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice and Defamation and Media Law. Justin, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced at a global full service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class action proceedings. Mike has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. From 2012-2013, Mike served as a law c...

Claire Hunter, K.C. is an experienced litigator with a broad civil litigation, public and administrative law and appellate practice. She appears regularly as counsel at both the trial and appellate level, including all levels of court in British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada, and before arbitration tribunals and administrative boards. She has experience working on complex commercial matters, including conducting internal investigations and conducting trials and appeals in high prof...

As the senior partner in his firm, Paul is a leading constitutional, labour and administrative law lawyer, arguing significant cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Courts of Ontario, and labour and administrative tribunals. Paul was appointed by Associate Chief Justice Dennis O'Connor to act as lead commission counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar. Previously, Paul acted as lead commission counsel in the Walkerton Inquir...

Emi R. Bossio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Labour and Employment Law and Product Liability Law. Emi R., who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emi R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

The Bâtonnier Michel Jolin has been a partner of the firm since 1988 and is a member of the civil and commercial litigation group. Before joining the firm, he was Director of Litigation Services for the Quebec Department of Justice. He was Vice President of the Quebec Bar in 1986-1987 and Bâtonnier (President) in 1987-1988. Throughout his career, he has been very active in educating and training litigators. He has also been a sessional lecturer at the universities of Montreal and ...

Described by his peers as ‘the gold standard in this space, a phenomenal litigator’, for more than thirty years Jonathan has won landmark decisions across a broad variety of subject matter including competition law, constitutional law, liability of public authorities, professional liability, criminal law, financial services, franchise law and contract disputes. He has tried over 90 cases to judgment and argued over 60 appeals in provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of...

Stephen Aylward is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law and Appellate Practice. Stephen, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Fahad Siddiqui leads our public strategy group. He advises clients on bet-the-company litigation, regulation, and reputational problems. Fahad has successfully brought and defended cases involving contested legislation and regulatory decisions, M&A transactions, commercial claims, shareholder claims, proxy contests, board disputes, contract claims, insolvency disputes, and defamation. His recent work includes acting for international streaming services in a challenge to new internet regul...

Brent Olthuis is an experienced litigator with a broad practice. He represents individual and corporate clients in civil and commercial matters and also regularly acts for regulated professions and their member professionals, as well as for other public bodies. He has acted as external counsel to the Auditor General of Canada in respect of the 2015 audit of the Senate and for the Attorney General of British Columbia in constitutional proceedings. He presently acts for the City of Richmond in ...

A senior partner with McLennan Ross, Graham has assisted clients to resolve all types of civil claims. Graham has focused on commercial litigation, including class action proceedings, professional liability claims against accountants and construction litigation. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Graham conducts cases in Edmonton, Calgary, British Columbia and Ontario. Graham has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta, the B.C. Supreme Court, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Northwest Terri...

Barbara Legate is the founding partner of Legate. Barbara has engraved her vision of excellence in personal injury litigation and service to clients onto the firm. For Barbara, every case is personal. With every client, she asks, "what would I expect if I was sitting in his chair? How can I help my client get back what she has lost, or protect the future of this family?" After over 35 years of practice, Barbara has earned a high level of respect for her thoroughness, legal acumen and results ...

Jessica Orkin has a broad litigation practice including criminal, civil and administrative law matters, with an emphasis on constitutional, human rights, Aboriginal rights and access to information law matters. Jessica appears at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She is also a frequent speaker at legal conferences and seminars. Jessica received her law degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds an M.Phil. degree in Devel...

Andrew Nathanson, KC focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar crime. He is Co-Chair of Fasken’s Commercial Litigation Group in BC and Co-Leader of the firm’s national White Collar Defence and Investigations group. Andrew is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been ranked as a leading litigator in diverse areas including corporate and commercial litigation, directors and officers' liability, securities litigation, public law and criminal defen...