Department profile
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario


Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite - Ontario

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a leading law firm with an impressive capacity for handling large commercial disputes both at trial and before the appellate courts. Its expertise encompasses securities litigation, shareholder disputes and insolvency, as well as class action defence and competition law. The department demonstrates further proficiency in handling industrial tort claims and disputes relating to the recovery of care costs and environmental damage. The Toronto-based team is commended for its litigation capabilities in sectors such as mining, lottery and gaming, automotive and telecommunications, and it is also highly experienced in coordinating multi-provincial litigation files.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg defended Barrick Gold Corporation against allegations that individuals were injured or are relatives of those killed by the Tanzanian Police Force in the vicinity of the North Mara Mine. The plaintiff's case was dismissed by the Ontario Superior Court on the basis of a lack of jurisdiction in Canada.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We have never had an issue finding somebody internal to consult on niche issues.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • The department is very intelligent and hardworking.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • We rely on the team's expertise to guide us and keep us informed.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • The attention to detail, knowledge of the law and research of all aspects of the case are what sets the Davies team apart.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Davies lawyers are well versed in the commercial interest of their clients.

    Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Kent E Thomson
    Band 2Kent E Thomson

    Kent E Thomson

    Kent Thomson is regularly engaged in some of the country's most high-profile and complex commercial and securities cases. He is a luminary figure in Toronto's disputes market and serves as the head of the firm's litigation department in Toronto.

    • We see Kent on a huge range of files as he can do everything and he does it well.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • Kent is one of the top litigators in the country.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He is very knowledgeable, strategic and has built a great team around him.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 2Matthew Milne-Smith
    Band 2Matthew Milne-Smith

    Matthew Milne-Smith

    Matthew Milne-Smith continues to impress with his handling of notable single-plaintiff, class action and appellate disputes. He operates out of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office.

    • Matthew advocates on behalf of his clients to the utmost degree, he does it in a practical way as well.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He is a very fast learner and very good at disseminating information.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He delivers practical and actionable advice customised with deep knowledge of our business.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 3Sandra A Forbes
    Band 3Sandra A Forbes

    Sandra A Forbes

    Sandra Forbes is an accomplished commercial litigator, best known for her handling of high-value class action proceedings, particularly those relating to competition and antitrust. She is based in Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office.

  • Band 4Chantelle Cseh
    Band 4Chantelle Cseh

    Chantelle Cseh

    Chantelle Cseh has developed a notable reputation for her handling of commercial disputes, including provincial and nationwide class actions, as well as administrative appeals before the Supreme Court. She is based in Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office.

    • I always come away impressed with Chantelle's depth of experience and expertise.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • She is terrific in cross-examinations.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • Chantelle Cseh is excellent counsel.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 4Derek Ricci
    Band 4Derek Ricci

    Derek Ricci

    Derek Ricci is rapidly building an impressive reputation for his commercial litigation practice. He has defended clients in both single-plaintiff and class action proceedings and is based out of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office.

    • Derek has a clear understanding of what clients require and works diligently to accomplish strong outcomes.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • Derek takes the time to listen and learn before acting.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • We are very impressed with his level of service and knowledge.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He is very concise in his analysis.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 4Luis Sarabia
    Band 4Luis Sarabia

    Luis Sarabia

    Toronto-based Luis Sarabia maintains a broad dispute resolution practice, representing clients in both complex commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings. Fluent in Spanish, he also represents clients in international matters.

    • Luis has good knowledge and is able to work as a part of a team.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He is a strong litigator and is very good with clients.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 5Maureen Littlejohn
    Band 5Maureen Littlejohn

    Maureen Littlejohn

    Maureen Littlejohn has a wide-ranging civil disputes practice which sees her advise on a broad spectrum of commercial contracts matters, construction and infrastructure litigation and on class action defence. She is based in Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office.

    • Maureen has strong strategic instincts.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • She consistently communicates with us in a timely and professional manner, and always makes time in her schedule for any questions we may have.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 6Andrew Carlson
    Band 6Andrew Carlson

    Andrew Carlson

    Andrew Carlson has a thriving commercial litigation practice with experience across a variety of industries, including financial, energy and healthcare.

    • He is great from a litigation strategy perspective.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • Andrew is a really good legal writer.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Band 6Steven G. Frankel
    Band 6Steven G. Frankel

    Steven G. Frankel

    Steven Frankel is based in Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg's Toronto office and represents clients in commercial disputes. He also has experience in competition litigation, contractual disputes and franchise litigation.

    • He is very strategic, I really appreciate and rely on his ability to think about the future.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
    • He is incredibly responsive and has an understanding of our internal needs.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingChanakya Sethi
    Up and ComingChanakya Sethi

    Chanakya Sethi

    Chanakya Sethi boasts particular expertise in litigating commercial disputes. He is highly experienced in defending class action and competition claims, as well as litigating disputes involving public law.

    • He is very knowledgeable and works extremely well under pressure.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
  • Associates to watchAlisa McMaster
    Associates to watchAlisa McMaster

    Alisa McMaster

    Toronto-based Alisa McMaster is an associate at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg who enjoys a growing reputation for her disputes practice, with experience in a broad spectrum of commercial and securities litigation.

    • I am always impressed with her level of service and knowledge.

      Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (12)

Ontario

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