Best Lawyers in Ontario, Canada for Appellate Practice
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...
Jean-Claude Killey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Health Care Law. Jean-Claude, 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 Jean-Claude is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tina Lie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Labour and Employment Law. Tina, 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 Tina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Jennifer L. King is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Environmental Law and Municipal Law. Jennifer L., 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 Jennifer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brian Gover is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defence and Health Care Law. Brian, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Howard is widely recognized as a leading appellate lawyer, known for his precise and creative advocacy. With over 20 years of experience, Howard is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and a partner at AGP LLP in Ottawa. His practice is devoted to criminal appeals and complex trials, and he has argued more than 150 appeals, including seven appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. At the trial level, he has successfully defended clients charged with murder, large-scale drug traffickin...
For over 30 years, trade unions have relied on Steven Barrett to represent their interests, and the interests of their members, in all types of legal proceedings. Grievance and interest arbitration, labour relations board applications, collective bargaining – Steven does it all and makes it look easy. That’s why a member of parliament once referred to Steven as “the Wayne Gretzky of labour law”. From protecting the scope of bargaining unit work, to challenging discipli...
Alyssa Tomkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Director and Officer Liability Practice. Alyssa, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alyssa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Chris G. Paliare is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Labour and Employment Law. Chris G., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geograp...
Wade has dedicated his legal career to ensuring that the voices of marginalized members of our communities are heard. The law is an instrument of social change and when the law does not protect those who need it the most, the law needs to change. Wade passionately advocates for his clients and his practice is dedicated to human rights, union-side labour law and employment law. Wade currently serves as the Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human R...
Mr. Cherniak’s practice is restricted to arbitrations and mediations and trial and appellate work, in a broad spectrum of complex commercial, insurance and public litigation and arbitration. Mr. Cherniak is a member (and Past Chair) of the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society (TCAS) and a non-resident member arbitrator at Arbitration Place, a fully integrated arbitration centre located in the heart of Canada’s financial district in downtown Toronto, and a member of the arbitrati...
An award-winning and highly sought-after lawyer, Guy has experience in complex commercial litigation (including class actions), administrative law and constitutional law cases. Guy frequently appears before the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), the Superior and Appeal Courts of Ontario and Québec, the Federal Court (FC) and Federal Court of Appeal (FCA). Guy was named to the Order of Canada in 2022, recognizing his contributions as a lawyer, notably to pro bono work, and for his volunteer...
Paul co-founded Pape Chaudhury LLP with Shantona Chaudhury in 2018. Paul has over 45 years of experience as both trial and appellate counsel and has acted in many cases of significance. Paul’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial, securities,class action, professional negligence, and administrative matters, with special emphasis on appeals in these and other areas. Paul is a senior and leading member of the Ontario Bar. Paul has been described as an “outstanding appel...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.