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More than a law firm – that’s the
Foglers Advantage.
77 King Street West
Suite 3000, P.O. Box 95
TD Centre North Tower
Toronto, ON M5K 1G8
2024 Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Catherine is a Partner in the Litigation Group and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group. Her practice is devoted largely to corporate/commercial, real estate, banking, and insolvency litigation.
Catherine has handled a diverse range of legal cases, including complex fraud investigations, lender liability lawsuits, oppression remedy applications, construction disputes, commercial tenancy disputes, environmental claims, employment-related matters, professional malpractice allegations against lawyers, accountants, appraisers and other professionals, and a wide variety of bankruptcy, receivership and other insolvency proceedings. She is extremely well-versed in the intricacies of bankruptcy and insolvency law and has represented debtors, receivers, trustees in bankruptcy, foreign representatives, and secured and unsecured creditors in numerous proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Personal Property Security Act, Business Corporations Act, and other commercial and insolvency-related statutes. She is regularly consulted by other law firms and sole practitioners on insolvency-related issues.
Catherine has acted as lead counsel for both debtors and financial institutions in several major “lender liability” lawsuits. In the early and mid- 2000’s, she acted as counsel for the trustee in bankruptcy of Dylex Limited and spearheaded an extensive forensic investigation and legal action that resulted in the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for unsecured creditors. She has regularly achieved exceptional monetary recoveries for lending clients through fast and innovative approaches.
She has appeared at all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Commercial List and the Ontario Court of Appeal, as well as in private arbitrations. In 2002, Catherine served as a member of the Oral Board of Examiners for licensing trustees in bankruptcy. She has sat for a number of years on the Commercial List Users Committee of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, including as a member of subcommittees dealing with the implementation of the rule changes under the Rules of Civil Procedure and dealing with issues related to Access to Justice.
Catherine has presented and published various papers and lectures on issues arising in the areas of commercial, banking and insolvency matters, including the rights and duties of directors and officers in insolvency, recognizing the warning signs of insolvency and recovering assets.
Clients come to Catherine for her expertise and her no-nonsense attitude. She is approachable and frank with a strong reputation in the legal community and the judiciary for her integrity, oral and written advocacy skills and passion for the law. She approaches every case in a very detailed, analytical and tenacious fashion, with an unyielding determination to get the best possible result for her clients, whether through an early negotiated settlement or, where appropriate and necessary, litigating the issues by means of a full-blown trial and appeal process.
Rachel is a Partner in the Litigation Group whose practice focuses on recovery and insolvency matters for the banks and other commercial lenders, and general commercial litigation.
Rachel has become one of the “go to” counsel for banks and other clients because of her practical, knowledgeable and no-nonsense approach to their files, which has made her a well known litigator on the Commercial List. She is hands on, accessible, cost effective and a passionate advocate for her clients’ interests, making her a valuable and sought after legal service provider.
Ryan has a broad corporate and commercial practice with an emphasis on debt finance and private business transactions.
As part of his financing practice, Ryan acts regularly for both lenders and borrowers on a range of transactions often involving complex structures and multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, he has a particular expertise in automotive finance and is known as a “go to” service provider to the leading lenders across Canada in this dynamic sector.
In his private business practice, he represents clients across a range of industries. His experience covers: mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, estate/succession planning, private equity investments, shareholder and partnership disputes and corporate governance. Ryan also frequently advises real estate developers on the corporate side of their development projects including, corporate structuring, capital raises and the various stages of project financing.
With over 25 years of experience in senior roles at preeminent law firms and gaming, entertainment, technology & hospitality companies, Ilkim has intricate knowledge of gaming in local and global economies. He brings a nuanced and practical understanding of gaming globally, legislative and regulatory frameworks, the roles and dynamics among developers, operators, financiers, regulators & host communities, the impact of technology & innovation, and the intricacies of balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders consistent with public policy and social responsibility.
Ilkim has unparalleled relationships in the highly regulated Canadian and US gaming industries. His experience spans private & publicly traded companies, as well as the private & public sectors, and includes commercial (bricks & mortar and interactive), First Nations and Tribal gaming; international joint ventures; transactional; financing; development; government relations; licensing; AML; RG; fraud prevention; media; marketing; sponsorships; licensing; brand & IP protection; merchandising; purchasing & procurement; consumer protection; data governance; labour & employment experience. With deep regulatory, ethics, compliance and governance experience, Ilkim has also served as Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Privacy Officer, and Corporate Secretary for organizations with global and regional footprints.
Prior to returning to private practice, he was the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of a global gaming, entertainment & hospitality company based in Florida, operating under one of the most recognizable brands in the world. In addition, he has held senior executive positions with one of North America’s most successful casino resorts operating on a First Nations community; an industrial partnership with one of Canada’s biggest private equity firms; the Crown corporation responsible for conducting and managing gaming in British Columbia; and a world-renowned technology entertainment company, based in Toronto and New York. He also led the gaming practices at leading national Canadian law firms.
Considered one of Canada’s leading voices and authorities in gaming, Ilkim has been helping to shape the gaming industry through multiple phases of rapid evolution and the convergence of technological development, consumer demand, consumer protection and public policy. Ranked by Chambers in Band 1 as one of Canada’s top gaming attorneys, Ilkim proudly serves as Chair of the Canadian Gaming Association. He is a proud alum of Queens University and the University of Windsor, and a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) and the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL).
Marie’s practice extends to all facets of branding and advertising law, and her expertise lies in helping businesses acquire, manage and defend their trademarks in Canada and abroad.
Marie has worked with and managed the international trademark portfolios of many of Canada’s largest corporations and the Canadian portfolios of some of the world’s largest trademark owners. She is ranked as a leading trademark lawyer by both World Intellectual Property Review and WTR 1000 – the World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.
Marie is a member of the Institute of Intellectual Property of Canada (IPIC). She served for several terms as an instructor in its trademark agent training course and for two terms on the committee charged with administering the trademark agent examination. She is also the former Director of the McGill-IPIC course on Managing Trademark Disputes. Marie is also actively involved with the International Trademark Association (INTA). She has worked on several of its committees, including the Trademark Reporter Committee, the Building Bridges Committee, and is a former co-chair of the Law and Practice North America Subcommittee of the INTA Bulletin. In 2021, she was appointed to the Trademark Examining Board of the newly created College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents.
Marie is fluent in both French and English and has studied and worked in both languages. She received a B.Sc. in 1987 from Queen’s University, specializing in Life Sciences. She then attended McGill University and obtained her common and civil law degrees in 1991. While at McGill, she was Comments Editor of the McGill Law Journal. Subsequently, as part of her articles, Marie clerked with Madam Alice Desjardins of the Federal Court of Appeal.
Henry Harris is a business lawyer whose practice focuses in the areas of corporate finance and M&A, as well as private equity, venture capital and international finance.
Henry advises both Canadian and foreign companies, investors and underwriters on all aspects of Canadian securities regulation, including Canada/U.S. cross-border and international transactions.
Henry also acts as general counsel to a diverse client base, from businesses ranging from the technology to resources sectors. As part of this general counsel practice, he represents many leading tech companies in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area.
Henry has led numerous emerging companies in their initial public offerings and listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange, as well as U.S. and foreign stock exchanges. He has acted as lead counsel in various transactions, including IPOs, capital pool companies and other public financing transactions, takeover bids and reverse takeovers, special warrant offerings, and other private placement financings.
His recognitions include listings in Lexpert’s Leading Tech Lawyer and Health Sciences, Lexpert’s Leading Canadian Lawyers in Global Mining, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Corporate Mid Market and the Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers as a “Canadian Corporate Lawyer to Watch.” Henry is a past recipient of the Lexpert Rising Star Award as one of Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40. Chosen among hundreds of nominees across Canada, this Top 40 under 40 award recognizes lawyers who are both leaders in the profession and the community as well as team players with an outstanding track record of success.
Henry serves on the Securities Law Subcommittee of both the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and Canadian Bar Association (CBA), and has also served as a member of the OBA Executive Council, where he was presented with the OBA’s Dedicated Service to the Profession Award. He participated on a CBA Committee reviewing the proposed Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System. He is currently a member of the 2023-2024 OBA’s Business Law Section Executive.
Henry completed the Canadian Securities Course from the Canadian Securities Institute and has attended courses in New York on U.S. Securities Law. He has served as National Editor of Canadian Forms and Precedents: Banking and Finance – Private Placements Chapter (LexisNexis Canada Inc.).
Henry frequently speaks with the media as a finance law specialist. Over the past several years, he has also participated as a speaker at numerous business and legal seminars held across Canada, the United States and internationally.
In the community, Henry has been active in various charitable initiatives, including serving as an advocate for the SickKids Hospital Leaders Campaign for the past twenty years. He is a member of the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club, where he plays tennis and has been a member of various committees of the club. He also served as a director of Toronto Achievement Centre operating as The Dunblaine School. Henry is currently a volunteer in the Out of the Cold community outreach program.
Paul has extensive experience in employment related litigation, grievance arbitrations, labour board hearings and human rights applications. He regularly appears before the courts, administrative tribunals and arbitrators. Paul also provides sound strategic advice tailored to clients seeking to avoid litigation. Paul takes a practical, customary and creative approach to his practice in ensuring that his clients achieve their desired outcome.
Paul is consulted daily to provide prompt and sage advice on all human resources matters affecting the workplace. In addition, Paul is regularly retained as counsel in connection with labour and employment implications arising out of complex corporate transactions.
Paul is a graduate of Queen’s University’s joint Master of Industrial Relations/Juris Doctor (MIR/JD) Program. Prior to law school, Paul obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University where he graduated with “distinction” and pursued a concentration in labour-management relations.
Paul currently sits on the Executive of the Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario (ELAO). He was called to the Bar in 2013.
Michael practices in all areas of estates, trusts, incapacity and not-for-profit law.
His expertise includes the planning and drafting of wills, trusts and powers of attorney, the administration of estates and trusts and business succession planning. He also advises clients in both contentious and non-contentious estate litigation matters, including mental capacity matters, guardianship application, passing of fiduciary accounts and disputed wills.
Michael also works in the not-for-profit and charities area, advising charities, not-for-profit organizations, and donors regarding the establishment, governance and regulation of charities and not-for-profit organizations.
Michael’s experience includes:
- Planning and implementing effective estate plans for individuals and business owners
- Acting for individuals and families to implement practical and solution-oriented estate plans, including drafting wills, powers of attorney and trusts for business owners, and parents and guardians of persons with disabilities
- Advising regarding cross-border and international estate and trust matters
- Assisting clients with planning for incapable family members
- Advising financial institution regarding complex estate, trust and incapacity issues and best practises
- Working with not-for-profits and charities
- Advising individuals and non-profit organizations on charitable giving and related issues
- Advising executors and estate trustees on how to efficiently manage the estate administration process from beginning to end
Michael is a designated Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) from the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners, and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Toronto. He is also a member of the Trusts and Estates Law, Charity and Not-for-Profit Law, and Elder Law sections of the Ontario Bar Association.
Michael previously held positions as an estates and trusts lawyer at a national law firm, in the estate and trust group of a major financial institution, and as a lawyer at a Toronto estate and trust litigation firm.
Debra is a dynamic lawyer and natural storyteller who has passionately advocated for children and families throughout her 30 year career. Debra is a Partner with the firm’s Indigenous Practice Group. She is a working with various Indigenous Governing Bodies and First Nations in recovering, revitalizing and drafting their child wellbeing laws in their reassertion of Inherent Jurisdiction over their children and families.
In addition to legislative drafting of First Nations’ laws, Debra also appears in various levels of court representing First Nations pursuant to provincial and federal child welfare statutes. She will also be working with First Nations in relation to unmarked burial investigations and other forms of investigation, employment matters, and other litigation.
Prior to joining Fogler Rubinoff, Debra was a self employed sole practitioner practicing criminal, family and child protection litigation, including high conflict and complex litigation. Debra has also represented children as a Children’s Lawyer with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer in family court proceedings and in child protection proceedings. Throughout her career, her clients appreciated her practical, commonsensical and purposeful approach with an emphasis in moving their matters out of litigation and into restorative family healing through alternative forms of resolution.
Debra has been involved as a volunteer with the Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program, serving breakfast to those who are hungry and in need of a hot nutritious meal. She also volunteered her time with the Flemingdon Legal Clinic providing pro bono legal advice and services. In addition, Debra has frequently presented seminars involving criminal, family and child protection cross over issues as well as being a member of the Cross Over Youth Project Committee with an emphasis in keeping youth in care out of the criminal justice system.
Katherine is a citizen of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation. Katherine has built a diverse practice providing advice and acting in disputes concerning the assertion of inherent jurisdiction and other Indigenous and treaty rights, the duty to consult, commercial matters, public inquiries (including as Assistant Commission Counsel to Ontario’s Ipperwash Inquiry, and counsel to a number of parties at Canada’s Missing and Murdered Women’s Inquiry), coroners’ inquests, employment law and workplace investigations, child welfare matters, and select criminal cases.
Katherine is the recipient of a number of awards for her innovative and passionate advocacy for human rights and the advancement of social justice, including the Minaake Award for Human Rights and Advocacy from the Native Women’s Resource Centre and the Arleen Goss Young Advocates Award from the Advocates Society.
Katherine is regularly asked by law faculties, professional associations and regulatory bodies, First Nations and Tribal Councils, and others to speak and teach in her field of practice. She served as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law from 2011 to 2019. Katherine was also a member of Ontario’s Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee from 2017 to 2020.
Prior to joining Foglers, Katherine founded and served Indigenous clients through her own firm, Hensel Barristers, from 2011 to 2021. During that time, she was repeatedly acknowledged by The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and The Best Lawyers ™ in Canada in their rankings. In 2021, the Globe and Mail recognized Hensel Barristers as one of the top 19 law firms in Canada practicing in the field of Aboriginal and Indigenous law. In 2023, she was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer.
