John Black

John is a partner at Sotos LLP. He is dean of the franchising, licensing and distributing bar – a recognition that caps a 40-year career acting for franchisors regionally, nationally and globally. Today, he continues to provide counsel to franchisors in all aspects of their businesses, including in franchise system or distribution chain design and implementation, system restructuring, international and domestic transactions, and franchise disclosure. He offers strategic support to franc...

One of Canada’s most highly regarded lending lawyers, John Torrey has a practice focused exclusively on lending transactions. With experience in all areas of lending, John has particular expertise in project and acquisition financings and in all aspects of mine finance. John acts on behalf of both borrowers and lenders and has extensive experience with a broad range of financings in a broad range of industries. The mine finance practice of John and his colleagues is amongst the most act...

Neil M. Smiley is a leading lawyer in complex real estate transactions, planning and development. Having a unique dual experience in commercial real estate lawyer as well as a planning and development lawyer, Neil advises clients regarding the acquisition, financing, leasing and disposition of real property, as well as in connection with the myriad of approvals and entitlements required of governmental authorities to maximize value and/or develop such real property. Neil provides corporate su...

Krisztian’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance with an emphasis on cross-border transactions, proxy contests and other contested matters, public and private financings, securities regulations and corporate governance. Clients value his ability to balance commercial and legal aspects and the broad range of his transactional experience. He has expertise in the national and international mining and oil and gas sectors and routinely acts for clients based in ...

Barbara R.C. Doherty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Barbara R.C., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barbara R.C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wills, Estates and Trusts Group Head Craig Ross specializes in complex and high conflict wills and estates, representing business owners, professionals, high-net-worth individuals, blended families, families with children with disabilities, and individuals and families dealing with discord. In complex estate planning cases, he works closely with clients and other professional advisors to develop customized estate plans that give maximal effect to his clients’ intentions. These could be ...

Frank is a senior litigator in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He is a strategic counsel for his clients, and has significant courtroom and hearing experience representing clients in complex and high-profile cases. Frank represents his clients as a close and long-term advisor, and as a highly skilled advocate on their most important and challenging cases. Frank has particular expertise in arguing judicial review and appeals, and in litigation relating to the following: employment dispute...

Adam Stephens is currently Chair, Disputes and sits on the firm’s Executive Committee. He was previously the Chair of the firm's Litigation Practice Group and head of the Commercial Litigation Group. Adam is an experienced commercial litigator who provides practical and strategic advice to his clients. He has extensive experience arguing cases before all levels of Ontario and federal courts and at private arbitrations. Adam’s practice encompasses a wide range of complex commercial...

Maggie Wente (BA, LLB, MSW) is a partner at Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP. She is a member of Serpent River First Nation and was born and raised in Toronto. Recently Maggie focuses much of her practice on advocating for equality for Indigenous children and individuals in child welfare systems and the exercise of inherent jurisdiction over child well-being. She does this in litigation and in negotiation about child welfare funding, program delivery and First Nations law-making. Maggie also advis...

Aaron Murray is one of the founding partners of Leone Murray LLP. He handles a wide variety of personal injury and civil litigation cases. Aaron has trial experience in jury and non-jury settings. He has successfully argued numerous Divisional and Superior Court matters. This has included the conduct of long and document intensive jury trials, resulting in successful results for his clients. Aaron handles a full variety of personal injury and civil litigation claims for his clients and he con...