Toronto litigation boutique Ross Nasseri is one of the newest arrivals to the Bay Street legal community and since its formation has been nothing short of a market disrupter; the firm has generated a steady stream of peer recognition and has clients turning out in full throat to voice their appreciation for its services. “They have been very aggressive on marketing and other initiatives since their formation,” confirms one peer, “so the word is definitely getting around. But it’s not just fluff – they’ve earned their notice through hard work, and they are legit.” Another supports this with a testimonial: “This firm represented a client for whom we also acted as co-counsel. I found the firm's legal judgment, work ethic and professionalism to be extraordinary and they skillfully guided our mutual client through very a difficult liability issue. This firm demonstrates extremely elevated knowledge in appellate advocacy and the rules applicable to administrative tribunal advocacy. I would consider these to be some of this firm's outstanding attributes. An outstanding firm with ethical, hardworking lawyers from start to finish.” The firm, noted as being on “an impressive hiring spree,” is largely comprised of lawyers who have trained at large law firms – notably McCarthy Tétrault – and other smaller firms like Pape Chaudhury, which has imbued the practitioners with an impressive pedigree while now enjoying the autonomy of a model that “allows them to service their clients with the level of personal touch, creativity and professionalism that is truly unique, and also at a more accessible price point.” A peer also marvels, “They are up to about 15 lawyers now! They are doing a great job of attracting talent.” This alluded-to hiring spree has been evidenced in the recent recruit of Erin Pleet, who recently joined the firm from another revered Toronto boutique, Thornton Grout Finnigan, and was continued this year, when Ross Nasseri lured
Eric Block – another former McCarthy’s partner – to the firm. “That’s yet another great move,” ventures a peer. “I expect they’re getting into the class action game with Eric there now.”
One of the firm’s name partners on the younger end of the spectrum, Justin Nasseri is arguably the most visible of the firm’s team. “Justin is both a former McCarthy’s guy and also came up under [celebrated Toronto barrister] Paul Pape, so you can bet he got excellent training,” asserts a peer. Another testifies, “Justin is a good lawyer and excellent marketer – he’s exceptional in that regard. We have co-counseled cases together we refer cases to each other regularly.” Nasseri attends to a varied commercial docket that intersects with niche areas like estate litigation and franchise litigation. The other name partner, Mark Ross is also viewed with praise by his contemporaries. “Mark Ross is not getting as many props as he should,” opines one peer. “He is a really good lawyer and always had a really good reputation, especially on lawyers’-negligence claims, which is not a field a lot of lawyers want to go into. It takes a certain type of person to bring a respectability to that practice.” Another peer declares, “I’ve had so many files against Mark, and he knows how to win. He’s built a good business for himself. I know him from the Advocates Society and he was great, [he had] lots of great ideas [and was] very entrepreneurial, and his firm has just exploded so they must be doing something right.” Ross handled a novel case concerning whether a worldwide real estate investor whose contract was breached by a seller in Toronto could be awarded damages based on lost opportunity to cash in on the local real estate boom. Peers also advise, “Keep an eye on Jacqueline Cole. She’s young, dynamic and really emblematic of the new wave of litigators in this market.” Cole represents Mercedes-Benz of Canada in a group of actions arising out of an alleged fraudulent export scheme whereby individuals secure the purchase of luxury vehicles in North America for export and inflated resale overseas in China. Another young partner receiving resounding enthusiasm on Bay Street, Eric Brousseau was personally approached and chosen to be Commission Counsel to the Public Order Emergency Commission, the public inquiry investigating the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency that was in place in February 2022, and the measures taken for dealing with the emergency. Eric began his role as Commission Counsel in early July and continues in that role today. “For him to tipped for that role at his age and at this stage in his career points to a very bright future for him,” speculates a peer. “That’s a big-time feather in his cap and an overall asset to whole firm.” Peer enthusiasm is also strong for
Helen Richards, who makes her debut as a future star in this edition. “We worked together at Blakes,” confirms a peer, “and I think she’s excellent and worth considering.”
