
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite
Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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Work Highlights
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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
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We have never had an issue finding somebody internal to consult on niche issues.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaThe department is very intelligent and hardworking.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaWe rely on the team's expertise to guide us and keep us informed.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaThe 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 respondentCanadaDavies lawyers are well versed in the commercial interest of their clients.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Notable Practitioners
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Band 2 
Band 2 
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 respondentCanadaKent is one of the top litigators in the country.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaHe is very knowledgeable, strategic and has built a great team around him.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 2 
Band 2 
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 respondentCanadaHe is a very fast learner and very good at disseminating information.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaHe delivers practical and actionable advice customised with deep knowledge of our business.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 3 
Band 3 
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 4 
Band 4 
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 respondentCanadaShe is terrific in cross-examinations.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaChantelle Cseh is excellent counsel.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 4 
Band 4 
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 respondentCanadaDerek takes the time to listen and learn before acting.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaWe are very impressed with his level of service and knowledge.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanadaHe is very concise in his analysis.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 4 
Band 4 
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 respondentCanadaHe is a strong litigator and is very good with clients.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 5 
Band 5 
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 respondentCanadaShe 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 6 
Band 6 
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 respondentCanadaAndrew is a really good legal writer.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Band 6 
Band 6 
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 respondentCanadaHe is incredibly responsive and has an understanding of our internal needs.
Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite respondentCanada
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
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 watch 
Associates to watch 
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)
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 Canada 2026
Practice area: Litigation: General Commercial
Location: Nationwide - Canada
View department profile for Canada 2026Band 1 Canada 2026
Practice area: Litigation: General Commercial
Location: Québec
View department profile for Canada 2026
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