David "Dave" Thompson

David grew up in Toronto believing it was right to stand outside the fence, if that was the principled place to be. His mother, an early feminist, and his father, a progressive with Mennonite roots, encouraged him to use law as an instrument of social change. While at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, David established Canada’s first legal aid clinic housed within a psychiatric hospital. “Law works, but only for those who can get through the door,” he observe...

Bart Sarsh, a partner in Gowling WLG’s Hamilton office, focuses his practice on commercial litigation and insolvency and restructuring matters, offering clients tailored strategies aligned with their business goals. Known for his courtroom and arbitration experience, Bart provides clear and effective guidance in navigating complex disputes and high-stakes recoveries. In his commercial litigation practice, Bart helps creditors, directors, officers and shareholders of private Ontario and ...

Melissa Tummon provides legal advice in the areas of corporate law, finance and real estate. Melissa’s primary focus is on secured and unsecured lending for both lenders and borrowers and share and asset based transactions for corporations. She has experience acting for corporations of various sizes, including startups. Melissa’s practice includes: Financing and Lending: Acting for banks, private lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured lending transactions, including real e...

Eric Davis is an LSO Certified Specialist in Municipal Law (Local Government/Land Use Planning and Development) who acts for homeowners, businesses, developers, and other private sector clients. He also represents municipalities and other public bodies across Ontario, including school boards. Eric regularly assists clients with planning- and zoning-related matters, including re-zonings, plans of subdivision, site plans, minor variances, and severances, as well as Ontario Land Tribunal appeals...

Viona M. Duncan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Information Technology Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Viona M., who practices law in Kitchener, Ontario, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Viona M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bevin Shores is a partner in Gowling WLG's Hamilton office, practising in commercial litigation. Bevin's litigation experience encompasses a diverse range of practice areas, including commercial, construction, municipal, products liability, environmental, insurance coverage, professional negligence, occupiers' liability and general negligence claims. As an advisor and advocate, Bevin works with her clients to learn their needs and objectives, and uses that knowledge to offer practical solutio...

Derek Wilson is the owner and principal lawyer at Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law , a personal injury litigation firm that restricts its practice to helping injured plaintiffs. Derek started his career in 1995 in Hamilton, ON where he first worked on personal injury cases and later expanded his experience and became a partner at a boutique Toronto defense firm that dealt exclusively in insurance defense litigation. By 2009, he made the decision to return to his roots and work solely in plain...

Bill MacGregor is a partner in the firm’s Waterloo Region office and the leader of the firm’s Immigration National Practice Group. His practice emphasizes corporate immigration and the cross-border movement of personnel. Bill also provides advice in relation to hiring and employing foreign nationals in Canada. Bill brings years of experience advising clients on all aspects of corporate immigration. He regularly assists employers with international transfers; obtaining work permits...

Jonathan Dye is a partner at Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP. Recognized as one of the leading lawyers in his field, he primarily litigates and advises clients on a range of issues such as wrongful dismissals, workplace human rights, employment standards, recruitment and dismissals, employment contracts and employment issues in corporate transactions. He has appeared as lead counsel in cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Divisional Court, the...

Rose M. Demelo Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Rose M., who practices law in Kitchener, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rose M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.