Maureen Ward

Maureen Ward is a Partner at WeirFoulds LLP with a practice in the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Fraud and Anti-Corruption, Blockchain & Digital Assets Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on cross-border fraud litigation, asset recovery, and complex financial disputes.

Maureen Ward is a leading commercial litigator with a global reputation for advising on high-stakes commercial litigation matters involving fraud, injunctions, asset tracing and recovery, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, and cryptocurrency disputes. Her practice also encompasses internal and regulatory investigations, anti-money laundering and corruption compliance, and multi-jurisdictional litigation. Maureen serves as a key contact in the Fraud & Anti-Corruption Practice Group.

Maureen has been described by client’s as “technically excellent” and “a force of nature” in the context of her repeated ranking by Chambers & Partners in their Global Guide for Asset Tracing & Recovery (litigation lawyers). Her clients and market peers note that “Within the Canadian space, she is incredibly powerful. She stands out in the global space in her holistic approach and is someone I rate highly,” also noting that she is “fantastic in her approach to clients and problems, with real energy and drive.”

Maureen has significant experience acting as lead counsel in complex, high-value cases, often involving urgent injunctive relief. Her advocacy spans Ponzi schemes, offshore banking, bank liability, data breaches, investment disputes, and tracing hidden assets in contentious divorce proceedings. She is widely regarded as a thought leader in international litigation and asset recovery, frequently speaking at major conferences and programs hosted by the International Bar Association, universities such as Osgoode, Queen’s, and Western Law, and continuing legal education forums.

Maureen is Vice-Chair of the International Bar Association Asset Recovery Committee, a founding member of the North American Chapter of CFAAR (Cryptocurrency Fraud and Asset Recovery network) and serves on the steering committee of the International Fraud Group. She co-authored the legal chapter of the Association of Certified Forensic Investigators of Canada Certification Manual and is frequently called upon to consult on cutting-edge issues in blockchain, digital assets, and financial crime.