A Toronto boutique with a distinct focus on securities and regulatory actions, Crawley MacKewn Brush generates an overwhelming and universal appreciation from clients and contemporaries. “The firm as a whole has strong expertise in the securities litigation space, as well as depth in other areas,” confirms one peer and referral source. “The lawyers we have dealt with at the firm have all been exceptional, both in terms of legal knowledge and skill but also fantastic people to work with and who can be trusted to have your client's best interests in mind.” The alluded-to “other areas” is primarily commercial litigation work. “I refer any commercial litigation matters that cross my desk to Crawley MacKewn their deep expertise on these matters, including significant in-hearing experience in Court, before arbitrators and various tribunals,” offers one peer. “They are fearless litigators who give strategic, practical advice. They are at the top of their game.”
Each individual composing the overall firm collective elicits a remarkable level of acclaim.
Robert Brush is noted as “a national leader in the broker-dealer and financial-services litigation space, with exceptional depth of experience and judgment. He brings a strategic, big-picture perspective to matters, but is also able to drive into details that matter. He always takes the time to understand the business context and is constantly identifying pain points and proactively proposing solutions, often well beyond the narrow scope of any single file. This forward-looking, value-add approach makes him an invaluable partner rather than simply external counsel. Robert knows when to be a fierce and effective advocate and when a more measured, delicate approach will better serve our interests. He combines credibility, discretion, and tactical sophistication in a way that few litigators can. He has built a truly class-leading securities litigation practice and is a trusted advisor on complex and sensitive matters.”
Alistair Crawley is given high praise as “one of the most strategic lawyers in Toronto. He is consistently ranked at the top tier of Canadian securities litigators. He handles the full spectrum of securities disputes, including regulatory investigations and enforcement hearings before the Ontario Securities Commission and other tribunals, disclosure and compliance disputes, including high-stakes issues like insider trading, registration, public disclosure failures and fraud allegations and investment loss claims and contested transactions, including shareholder disputes, class actions and takeover litigation. He is an incredibly thorough and effective strategic thinker; someone who considers all angles and is not afraid to push the limit in terms of conduct with the opposing side. He frames litigation issues with business context and legal precision — helping clients weigh litigation risks against commercial goals. His deep experience in securities regulation lets him anticipate regulatory arguments and defenses, reducing surprise exposure and strengthening negotiating positions.” Melissa MacKewn is addressed as “a leading securities and corporate commercial litigation lawyer, with strong courtroom presence, excellent judgment and a fearless approach. She is a true expert in her areas, and her advice is not only legally sound, it is practical and efficient and clients enjoy working with her as a result. She responds on a timely basis and is results oriented. She is a strategist, [with a] comprehensive knowledge of the law and senior expertise in litigation. She is the lead on my most contentious cases. [She] Stands her ground and wins.” Beyond the name partners, all of the younger talent on the team also garners their own accolades. “Michael Byers provides precise, pragmatic assessments of litigation risk that support sound and timely decision-making. He is highly effective at managing litigation teams, running matters in a disciplined and organized manner with clear strategy, strong oversight, and efficient execution. He is an excellent communicator and able to distill complex issues into clear, actionable advice. Michael is also notably cost-effective for the value he brings to files, demonstrating strong budget discipline. Despite his relative vintage, he brings deep experience in the broker-dealer and financial-services space, with a strong understanding of the regulatory and commercial considerations unique to that sector. He is personable and easy to work with, while also highly efficient and focused—approachable without wasting time.” Another peer attests, “I have also been involved in files with
Clarke Tedesco where there was a civil component to a securities-related file. He is a sound strategic thinker, particularly in dealing with the OSC. He routinely thinks of creative ways of dealing with difficult scenarios. He is also not afraid to push back against difficult counsel, including OSC litigation/investigation counsel to defend his client's rights and interests.”
Kate McGrann is addressed as a “smart, sensible, and a fierce advocate for her clients. She is also both realistic and compassionate - an excellent analyst that practically applies the law to the facts.” A reference testifies, “Kate served as my lead counsel in two public inquiries—one on municipal procurement and another on COVID-19’s impact on long-term care—and as co-lead counsel in the latter. She performed outstandingly. She later served as co-lead counsel in the Ottawa Light Rail Transit inquiry and, most recently, as Commission Counsel to the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. I recommended her for these roles and subsequently confirmed that her work was highly praised for its quality, organization, and professionalism. Kate has an exceptional work ethic, is an insightful examiner of witnesses, and excels at organizing inquiry reports. She is among Canada’s leading public inquiry counsel, and I am pleased to provide a reference for her." Dana Carson is called “a strong advocate with excellent oral and written advocacy skills and a fearless but tactical approach.” A luminary in the practice for decades, relatively recent recruit
Linda Fuerst is revered as “a leading securities and commercial litigator, with excellent technical skills and a deep knowledge of securities law and practice.”
