About

Provided by Lenczner Slaght

Commercial litigation represents the heart of our practice. Our lawyers have a wealth of experience in pursuing complex, high-profile and often highly confidential cases across the spectrum of business-related legal matters.


Our reputation and record of success lead many clients to entrust their most significant litigation to us: we have acted for a broad array of corporate clients in "bet-the-company" cases. Lenczner Slaght litigators take on each new challenge with an exacting attention to detail while setting immediate goals within a larger strategic framework. Our well-honed courtroom skills have won the respect of judges and fellow counsel at all levels of the courts – including the Toronto Commercial List, where many of Canada's most complex commercial cases are heard.


A significant part of our work has cross-border and international elements. We have relationships with leading firms in every jurisdiction.


As a firm devoted exclusively to litigation, Lenczner Slaght taps into a deep reserve of relevant expertise across diverse practice areas and industries. Whether a dispute concerns a complex financial instrument, a failed construction project or a successful mining venture, our lawyers understand the nuances and leverage their specialized knowledge to clients' advantage.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite - Ontario

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Lenczner Slaght is universally recognised as a leader in the Ontario market. Based in Toronto, the firm demonstrates significant national reach and offers expertise across a wide range of industry sectors, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, financial services, education, transportation and information technology, as well as acting for public sector bodies. Widely viewed as a top choice for 'bet the company' litigation, the team is regularly selected to handle corporate fraud cases, breach of contract and consumer claims, as well as securities and shareholder disputes. The group is further noted for its experience of professional liability, defamation, public inquiries, class actions and restructuring and insolvency.

Work Highlights

  • Lenczner Slaght represented leading Canadian news media outlets in their dispute against OpenAI. The organisations alleged breaches of copyright, online terms of use and contract, as well as unjust enrichment, against OpenAI for it scraping large swaths of content for the development of its products, including ChatGPT.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Peter Griffin
1
Peter Griffin
1
Band 1

Peter Griffin KC commands a formidable reputation as a litigator and remains the counsel of choice for many high-profile corporates for their high-stakes commercial disputes. He is based in Lenczner Slaght's Toronto office, and his reputation extends across the country and beyond.

Peter has a great presence in the courtroom.

He is a fabulous tactician and extremely well-respected industry figure.

He is a go-to for any number of difficult legal problems.

Tom Curry
1
Tom Curry
1
Band 1

Tom Curry is held in high regard by market commentators and clients alike for his skill in complex litigation files. His practice touches all manner of areas, from commercial disputes and class actions to administrative law and professional liability. He is based in Lenczner Slaght's Toronto office.

Tom Curry shows sound judgement and is a creative problem-solver.

He quickly absorbs information and confidently steers the course the file should take.

He is very sharp and diligent.

Tom is top-tier counsel.

William C McDowell
1
William C McDowell
1
Band 1

Toronto-based William McDowell stands as one of Ontario's most highly respected practitioners for public and judicial inquiries, as well as various other investigations and public law disputes.

He is masterful in his preparation and strategic approach to litigation.

Will is an outstanding lawyer and a pleasure to work with.

Monique Jilesen
2
Monique Jilesen
2
Band 2

Monique Jilesen has wide-ranging commercial litigation experience, covering issues such as construction and real estate disputes, employee fraud and energy tariffs. Based in Toronto, she is Lenczner Slaght's managing partner.

Monique leads with confidence and clarity, but also exemplifies client dedication.

She is exceptionally forthcoming with her awareness of the market and precedents, which helps to guide our materials.

Monique is excellent from start to finish.

Rebecca Jones
2
Rebecca Jones
2
Band 2

Toronto-based Rebecca Jones has particular expertise in complex cases with a regulatory dimension, and her practice covers municipal disputes, public inquiries and professional liability, among other areas.

She is very sharp, strategic and responsive; exactly who you want on your side in high-stakes litigation.

She is bright, practical and always values and appreciates the perspective I have on files.

We value her advice and appreciate her deep knowledge of our company history and culture.

Eli S. Lederman
5
Eli S. Lederman
5
Band 5

Toronto-based Eli Lederman has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents clients in securities law, class actions, commercial contracts, franchise disputes, and oppression and shareholder litigation, acting for both private and public corporations.

He is knowledgeable and a strategic thinker.

He has strong legal skills and is responsive and personable.

Matthew B. Lerner
5
Matthew B. Lerner
5
Band 5

Toronto-based Matthew Lerner has a strong track record in civil litigation, with a wealth of experience in real estate and construction disputes, insolvency claims and broader commercial matters.

He is a strong, effective litigator.

He is attentive and eminently business-oriented.

His ability to get up to speed on complex issues and extremely tight timelines is impressive to say the least.

Brian Kolenda
U
Brian Kolenda
U
Up and Coming

Toronto-based Brian Kolenda has a broad civil litigation practice, with experience in business disputes, civil fraud, professional negligence and defamation.

He gives good direction and is responsive.

Brian brings deep subject matter expertise and is a great client partner.

He masters complex sets of facts and adds incredible value for his clients.

Ranked Lawyers at
Lenczner Slaght

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Ontario

Litigation: Administrative & Public Law

William C McDowell
1
William C McDowell
1
Band 1
Rebecca Jones
2
Rebecca Jones
2
Band 2
Tom Curry
3
Tom Curry
3
Band 3
Litigation: General Commercial

Peter Griffin KC
1
Peter Griffin KC
1
Band 1
Tom Curry
1
Tom Curry
1
Band 1
Monique Jilesen
2
Monique Jilesen
2
Band 2
Eli S. Lederman
5
Eli S. Lederman
5
Band 5
Matthew B. Lerner
5
Matthew B. Lerner
5
Band 5
Litigation: Securities

Eli S. Lederman
5
Eli S. Lederman
5
Band 5
Brian Kolenda
U
Brian Kolenda
U
Up and Coming