Ashley Rasmussen

Rachel (she, her) is a Partner in the firm’s Banking & Financial Services practice. She practised as a secured lending lawyer at a large national law firm before joining the law group of RBC Capital Markets, where she supported the derivatives solutions group. Rachel later moved to a fintech, lending to small businesses, serving as general counsel and VP, Operations (risk, credit adjudication, loan administration), and ultimately as Chief Operations Officer. Following the company&rs...

Gary is a partner with Ursel Phillips Fellows Hopkinson LLP. His practice encompasses all areas of advocacy on behalf of police associations, trade unions, employee associations and individual workers, including grievance arbitrations; collective bargaining and interest arbitrations; Police Service Act discipline hearings and other professional disciplinary hearings; human rights complaints; judicial reviews and judicial inquiries; civil litigation relating to union, association, or workplace...

Avra has been a renowned family law litigator for 40 years, with extensive trial and appellate experience at the highest levels of the Ontario Courts including the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. She is certified as a family law specialist by the Law Society of Ontario. Avra now acts as counsel to the firm's family law clients, having pivoted her practice to acting as a mediator and arbitrator in family law and in combined family law/commercial law of disputes. Avra is an a...

Jeff Cowan is recognized as one of Canada's leading public law litigators. He acts as counsel before administrative tribunals and the trial and appellate courts in many aspects of public law, including professional self-regulation and discipline, judicial review of government decision-making, freedom of information and privacy matters, municipal and provincial planning and environmental approvals, municipal assessment and taxation, health, education, alcohol and gaming, legislative drafting a...

Linda Godel is a partner at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto, Ontario, and chairs the firm’s Not-for-Profit and Charities Law practice group. Her practice focuses on Charities / Non-Profit Law and Trusts and Estates , advising a broad range of charitable and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. Linda provides counsel to charitable organizations, public and private foundations, professional and industry associations, self-regulated bodies, and organizations operating in sectors includi...

Zev practices in the area of real estate and corporate commercial law and is also a member of the firm’s Compensation Committee. Zev acts for owners, developers, lenders, landlords, property and asset managers and tenants of all types of multi-residential, office, retirement home and retail properties in regards to negotiating acquisitions and sales, sophisticated commercial leases and related agreements as well as the structuring of such transactions. He also acts on behalf of Tier 1 l...

Gillian Hayes is a Partner in the Family Law group at Barriston Law LLP in Barrie, Ontario. She advises clients on a wide range of family law matters, including parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, property division, domestic contracts, and child protection proceedings. Gillian represents parents and other caregivers in matters involving the Office of the Children’s Lawyer and is a Member of the Personal Legal Rights Panel. She is also trained in Collaborative Family ...

Karen Sargeant is Managing Partner of the Firm’s Ontario Region, with primary responsibility for leadership of the Firm’s Toronto and Ottawa offices. As Regional Managing Partner, Karen spearheads the region’s strategic direction, setting the highest standards for legal service delivery. Her leadership centres on fostering an environment that develops exceptional talent, promotes diversity, encourages innovation and prioritizes client service excellence. In her legal practic...

Kelly Eckert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kelly is an experienced litigator and has represented clients at all levels of Court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal. An adept negotiator, Kelly provides her clients with pragmatic solutions to their legal challenges. When a negotiated settlement is not possible, Kelly takes a strategic approach to resolving her client's legal issues through litigation. Kelly has published several articl...

Matthew Urback is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Matthew practices law in Toronto, Ontario Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew Urback since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew Urback is held by other lawyers.