Thomas R. Kendell, KC

L. Michel Huart joined the firm in 2006 following a lengthy career in the railway industry, where he held the position of General Counsel for Canadian National. He was Solicitor for the Canada Labour Relations Board and for the Canadian Transport Commission before joining VIA Rail following its creation in 1978. At VIA, he was Solicitor and Deputy General Secretary until 1984, when he became VIA’s General Superintendent, Transportation, for Quebec. He later held the position of Director...

F. Philip Carpenter is a partner in the Construction Practice Group at WeirFoulds. He has extensive experience working on complex construction litigation files for all levels of the industry, having worked previously at a boutique firm in Toronto with a focus on construction law. He has represented contractors, subcontractors, owners, and design professionals in a variety of construction disputes. Additionally, Philip has experience acting for municipalities and municipal insurers in relation...

Peter Downard is a senior litigator and leading practitioner in the area of defamation. With extensive experience acting as defamation counsel throughout litigation proceedings, he has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, Ontario Court of Appeal for Ontario, trials and numerous mediations and advisory matters. Peter also has comprehensive experience in commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Peter is the author of The Law of Libel in Canada , referred to as an author...

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

Hashim Ghazi is a Toronto-based partner in the Business Law Group at Cassels. As a technology and data privacy lawyer, Hashim’s practice focuses on technology and commercial contracting matters, including those relating to the development, provision and implementation of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and automation and robotics; data privacy, protection, security, and governance; intellectual property strategy, protection, and enforcem...

Peter Wiazowski practises corporate finance and securities law, focusing on cross-border debt capital markets and banking. With extensive experience in liability management, he represents borrowers and lenders, and issuers and underwriters, in secured loans, debt offerings, debt tender offers and strategic refinancings, as well as debt finance solutions for M&A, asset portfolio optimization and project finance. Mr. Wiazowski is a seasoned liability management practitioner, representing bo...

A founding member of BCF’s Québec City office, François Lefebvre has successfully assisted many Québec businesses through every stage of their growth and has been an advisor to several major financial institutions. His proven expertise in commercial and banking law has enabled him to advise clients in various sectors, from technology to digital commerce, including real estate, manufacturing, industrial and banking. Over the years, François has participated in...

Every business is unique. Those facing litigation need counsel to craft strategies that are consistent with advancing their unique values, plans and goals. Whether that means dealing with a shareholder dispute, breaches of contract or protecting a company’s reputation, Brendan approaches problems in a customized manner that meets our clients’ distinct business objectives. Services Commercial litigation Shareholders’ oppression and derivative claims Real estate/development di...

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

Raphaël represents a variety of clients, including several large companies and municipalities before courts and administrative tribunals at all levels. He has conducted several long-term trials and is thus very familiar with managing voluminous files. He is a recognized author and lecturer, particularly on issues related to abuse of process. His texts are frequently cited by the courts. He joined IMK in 2015 after practicing for 15 years with a national firm, where he developed an import...