James C. Simmons, K.C.

Cathy serves as the Chief Executive Officer and a partner at OKT. Her practice is focused on advancing Aboriginal and treaty rights through litigation and negotiation. Cathy has represented clients in applications and actions in Ontario and Manitoba, as well as in federal court and at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also represented Indigenous clients in proceedings and tribunals regarding election processes, labour and employment, and environmental assessment. Cathy provides negotiation...

Susan Gunter, partner since 2002 at Dutton Brock LLP, holds an LLM in Civil Litigation (Osgoode), an LLB (UNB) and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996. Susan is recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (Products Liability Law, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Professional Malpractice Law and ADR) and in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as Most Frequently Recommended Personal Injury - Represents Defendants . Her litigation practice in defence of domestic and international corpo...

Christopher Hicks is a founding partner of the criminal law firm Hicks Adams, which he established alongside Michael Block and Colin Adams. Over a career spanning more than twenty-five years, he has developed a distinguished practice focused heavily on complex jury trials and appellate advocacy. Throughout his decades in the courtroom, Christopher has successfully defended clients facing the most severe offences under the Criminal Code. He routinely argues both conviction and sentence appeals...

Hassan Chaudhary is a top lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Hassan, who practices law in Hamilton, Ontario, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hassan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Hassan is a partner in Ross & McBride’s business law, real estate law, and charities and not-for-profit practice groups. Hass...

Michael Arbutina has practiced for over 19 years primarily in the areas of commercial and construction litigation, including construction liens, shareholder disputes, real estate/lease enforcement, debt collection, breach of contract claims and class action defence. Michael is viewed by his clients as a trusted advisor and they call upon him for general advice with respect to all aspects of their business. Michael’s clients rely on him for his candid and pragmatic legal advice and solut...

Aaron is a partner at Loopstra Nixon LLP where he practices various aspects of real property law with a focus on land use planning and development issues. Through his early career as a transaction solicitor, Aaron has developed broad skills – particularly where planning and real estate law issues intersect. In 2009, Aaron was seconded to the City of Toronto’s Planning and Administrative Tribunal Law Department and worked closely with the City’s legal, planning, building, tec...

Keith A. MacLaren is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation. Keith A., 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 Keith A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Virginie Gauthier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law. Virginie, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Virginie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Parna Sabet-Stephenson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of FinTech Practice, Information Technology Law and Technology Law. Parna, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Parna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ian practices exclusively as a civil litigator, primarily in the areas of insurance, personal injury, product liability and commercial litigation, appearing as counsel in over 300 trials, arbitrations, inquests and appeals. He has lectured and written for the legal profession, law students, the insurance industry, business and community groups on a variety of topics including trial advocacy, insurance, mediation and government relations. Ian was called to the Ontario Bar in 1982 after attendi...