ONTARIO
Miller Thomson stands out in Ontario for the diversity of its bench, its clients and its work, which spans a greater variety than that of many other firms, particularly those that are Toronto-centric. “Miller Thomson has an unusual model,” observes a local peer. “They are one of the biggest firms in Canada and cover almost every province. They have grown aggressively but have done so in a smart way. They do work that other firms don’t do, like insurance defense and family law.” The firm’s culture is such that “each of Miller Thomson offices has its own local feel, as opposed to other national firms that have a very Toronto-centric culture, but there is a good synergy between offices.” Another peer notes, “Their [Toronto] commercial litigation team is quite deep, something like 15 partners, a lot of whom didn’t grow up in big firms. They’ll be on everything from public company disputes, mid- to high-end shareholder disputes. They actually do more trial work than more ‘Bay Street’-centric firms because they do work for more mid-tier entrepreneurial entities who have done well and so by nature are more litigious. They have toughed it out, they’re not going to be pushed around and get screwed. They are willing to fight over principles.” The firm is one of the few national entities whose strategic expansion has focused on developing bench strength in areas of Ontario such as London and the Waterloo Region, to the point where its concentration of litigators there is as dense as it is in Toronto. Miller Thomson is also noted for being one of the few national full-service players with a high concentration of lawyers dedicated to environmental work as well as (management-side) labor and employment.
Adam Stephens is namechecked by a peer as a “very good and able lawyer, particularly in shareholders’ rights cases.” Stephens also acts as the chair of the firm’s litigation group nationally.
Eric Sherkin, cheered by a client as “smart, reliable and intuitive” represents a non-profit organization created in the memory of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, which was shot down by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard after taking off from Tehran on its way to Kiev, killing all 176 people on board, in an oppression-remedy claim brought by a member of this organization who took issue with certain decisions of the Board and sought certain documentary disclosure above and beyond what the association’s bylaw and the relevant legislation stipulates. The application, which was heard in November 2024, was dismissed just a few weeks later.
Bobby Sachdeva, co-lead of the commercial litigation group, is championed by a peer for his “appropriate aggressiveness tempered by manners. There are so many proverbial assholes out there – no thank you! Give me someone more like Bobby Sachdeva to work with.” Peers also identify James Zibarras, with one noting, “In the fraud world, he might fly under the radar because frankly I don’t think he really seeks the fame and recognition, but he certainly knows a lot about the world of Mareva injunctions and fraud.” Nafisah Chowdhury and Lisa Goodfellow both represent the firm’s Toronto-based labor and employment group, acting for a range of entities in workplace- and human resource-related disputes. Operating from the Waterloo office, Rohit Kumar is said to be “doing a lot of Waterloo-centric work but is also Miller Thomson’s OSC specialist.”
QUEBEC
Like its Ontario counterparts, Miller Thomson’s Montréal office is recognized for a broad range of litigation practices, several of which it is said to have “cornered a market” on.
Fadi Amine, managing partner of this office and is a celebrated class-actions based partner, generates considerable acclaim. A peer confirms, “Fadi is on the opioids class actions. He's great!”
Adina Georgescu is the head of the administrative law group and is active in expropriation, environmental and energy matters. “She has major class actions in environmental law,” confirms a peer. “She’s in a nuisance lawsuit in Brossard on the South Shore.” Stephane Trihey, a commercial litigation generalist, acts on a matter concerning the annulment of a will of Dickie Moore, the late Canadian hockey player who was also ran a successful construction equipment leasing business. Trihey represents the trustee and liquidator of Moore’s estate. Claudia Desjardins Bélisleis part of the Montréal office’s labor and employment group, a group that is said to “actually go[es] to court more often than many litigators! They act in front of many civil courts but also many administrative tribunals.”
Yves Robillard, an all-purpose commercial litigator whose practice emphasizes shareholder’s disputes, is another community favorite. “He’s doing quite well on a case I have with him right now,” testifies a peer, who then concedes humorously, “OK, he’s kicking my ass, if I’m being honest.”
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Miller Thomson’s Vancouver litigation group, with an approximate headcount of 36, is helmed by
Sarah Hansen, who attends to environmental and indigenous law. “Sarah is great,” claims a peer, “and Miller Thomson actually has a long history of this practice. One of the best indigenous-focused firms in town [JFK] actually got its start at Miller!” Hansen leads a team that is negotiating with a First Nations tribe to build out a ski resort.
Kelsey Sherriff is dedicated to class actions, and Ashley Mitchell represents the firm’s Vancouver labor and employment practice, acting on behalf of management in workplace disputes.
Cobi Dayan, who makes a debut as a future star in this edition, attends to a wide range of disputes in the construction area, which often cross borders and are more prone to end up at trial.
