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About Me

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I have been a Toronto trial lawyer for 24 years, starting my practice at one of Canada’s largest law firms, and, after 11 years ( five as a partner) I moved to the public sector to lead the Corporate-Commercial Litigation Team at the Ministry of the Attorney General.  In that role, I had the privilege of representing Ontario in the most critical and high risk civil litigation involving the province.

 

More recently, I moved to criminal prosecutions, as an inaugural member of the Serious Fraud Office, where I serve as a Senior Crown Counsel prosecuting the most serious financial crimes in Ontario.

 

 

I am also a past president of the Ontario Bar Association, which represents 16,000 lawyers in the province.  During my term in 2014-2015, I helped lead the profession across Canada in a mental health anti-stigma campaign by speaking publicly about my own experience with depression how, despite these struggles, I have, and continue to lead,  a very successful and rewarding life.  My message of hope, resiliance, and strength has reached over 6 million people.

 

 

For these efforts, Canadian Lawyer Magazine named me one of The Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada in 2015.  In 2016, the Law Society of Ontario honoured me with the Law Society Medal. That same year, CBC Metro Morning nominated me as Torontonian of the Year and CAMH presented me with its bi-annual Transforming Lives Award.  In 2017, the Ontario Bar Association presented me with its highest honour, the Distinguished Service Award.   And in 2018, the OBA Public Law Section recognized my career with the Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for Public Sector Lawyers.

I am honoured now, beyond words, to stand as your candidate for Bencher - Toronto Region.

Education

Called to the Bar in Ontario (1995)

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JD University of Toronto (1993)

Cassels, Brock, and Blackwell Entrance Scholarship

Co-Editor-in-Chief, University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review

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University of Waterloo (1987-1990)

BA (incomplete because of early law school admisson): Honours Economics, Applied Studies Co-op Program

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St. Jerome's High School (1982-1987)

Student Leader of the Year (1987)

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Public Sector Practice
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Serious Fraud Office - Ontario (2018-present)

Senior Crown Counsel

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Newmarket Crown Attorney's Office (2016)

Assistant Crown Attorney (six-month secondment)

Crown Law Office  - Civil (2005-2018)

Senior Counsel​​

Private Sector Practice
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Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP

Partner (2001-2005), Associate (1995-2000)​​

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