Best Law Firms in Canada for Corporate and Commercial Litigation

BE Law LLP is regularly engaged by referring counsel and seasoned litigants to handle complex business and financial disputes. We focus on providing thoughtful, practical advice and advocacy to clients across a broad range of industries and litigation matters.

Our founding partners bring a combined four decades of experience litigating commercial disputes and regulatory proceedings, and frequently serve as lead counsel in trials and appeals. Having guided matters from initial assessment through resolution, we are able to offer strategic and realistic guidance throughout the litigation process, with careful attention to positioning each case from the outset.

While we are comfortable in the courtroom, our work extends well beyond it. We serve as long-term advisors to our clients, with an emphasis on aligning legal strategy with business goals. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the challenges of running a business and have represented clients ranging from individual founders and family-owned companies to large, publicly traded entities.

In addition to our founding partners, BE Law includes a team of associates and law clerks who support our matters at every stage. This depth allows us to manage complex cases efficiently and to staff matters in a way that is both effective and mindful of cost.

EKB has a long-standing tradition of professional excellence, reflected in the breadth of our legal services and the depth of experience within our team. The firm was founded in 1965 when Jack T. Edwards and John C. Bouck (both later appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia) formed the partnership of Bouck and Edwards. Four years later, Brenton D. Kenny (later Q.C.) joined the firm and continues to serve as Associate Counsel. Ronald C. Bray and other accomplished lawyers soon followed, contributing to the firm’s reputation for thoughtful, high-quality legal work.

Our lawyers are committed to staying current with legal developments and emerging issues that affect our clients and communities. Many members of the firm regularly present at conferences organized by The Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C., Insight, EPIC, The Canadian Institute, and other professional organizations.

Our lawyers have also served the legal profession in a variety of roles, including:

• Benchers of The Law Society of British Columbia
• Council members of the Canadian Bar Association and its B.C. Branch
• Executive members of national and provincial sections of the Canadian Bar Association
• Executive members of the Vancouver Bar Association
• Adjunct Professors at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law
• Course Instructors at the Professional Legal Training Course

EKB’s commitment extends beyond the practice of law. Our lawyers and staff value community involvement and contribute time and effort to a wide range of pro bono initiatives, community groups, and charitable organizations.

Farris LLP ("Farris") is a leading Canadian law firm with offices in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. The full-service firm represents some of the largest public and private institutions and corporations in the province, and has the proven capacity and experience to carry out complex and multi-dimensional legal projects.

Corporate/Commercial: With more than 30 lawyers, the Corporate/Commercial group at Farris is relied upon by clients to assist with a wide range of matters, across a variety of industries. Unique amongst most large law firms, our corporate lawyers are first trained as generalists before they specialize in any given area of business law. We believe a broad legal knowledge of the key business law issues affecting businesses and industries enables us to help our clients solve their legal problems –big or small–quickly and effectively.

Delivering on our clients’ goals and ambitions means working closely with our clients to develop work plans tailored to their particular needs in terms of scope and budget. Our clients rely upon our advice regarding capital raising, finance strategies, governance issues, succession planning, insourcing, and outsourcing. Our lawyers assist with contract drafting and negotiations, securing regulatory approvals, agreements for joint ventures, and acquiring or selling aspects of a business. We regularly advise on privately negotiated transactions, controlled auctions, plans of arrangement and take-over bids, as well as reorganizations and restructurings for tax optimization.

Advocacy & Litigation: Our litigators are recognized leaders in their field, providing timely, creative and practical representation in a full range of commercial, corporate and constitutional litigation, and have extensive experience conducting hearings, trials and appeals. Our clients are diverse and include major business organizations, public bodies, universities, First Nations, media organizations, family litigants, and public interest groups. We advocate for our clients in every forum and at every level of court, and are engaged in many of the most important cases in the province at any given time. We recognize that advocacy work entails flexibility and a constant evaluation of available options, and that not all matters require a formal hearing. We actively look for opportunities to engage in alternate dispute resolution processes where appropriate.

Labour and Employment: Farris has a full-service labour and employment practice, providing advice, counsel, and representation to our clients in all aspects of workplace law.

We have broad experience representing employers in employment law disputes, including wrongful dismissal matters, disputes relating to restrictive covenants, disability related claims, discrimination and accommodation matters, Human Rights issues, employment and labour standards matters, privacy matters, and workers compensation issues. Our lawyers regularly represent our clients in Court and before administrative tribunals that apply employment-related statutes.

Our lawyers have vast experience in labour relations matters, acting before arbitrators, arbitration boards, and appearing in related judicial reviews and injunction applications before all levels of court and advising employers in a wide range of industries. We regularly act for employers with respect to grievance arbitration and collective agreement administration. Our lawyers conduct Labour Board hearings including applications for certification and decertification, unfair labour practices, variance, common employer and successorship issues. We assist clients with strikes and lockouts and the legal issues that can arise including picketing, ally and replacement workers.

We also assist our clients in drafting and reviewing employment agreements that cover all aspects of the employment relationship, including compensation and benefits, stock options and other incentive plans, severance provisions, restrictive covenants, intellectual property matters, hours of work, and alternative dispute resolution; as well as drafting Employee Handbooks that provide for various rules and regulations that apply in the workplace.

Taxation: Farris lawyers work together with our clients and their accountants to provide timely, innovative and practical tax advice. Representing a broad range of domestic, international, public and private-sector corporate clients across many industries, we provide guidance in areas of expertise such as mergers & acquisitions, real estate, structuring corporate groups and partnerships, fund formation and executive compensation. Our lawyers also have vast experience in advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, cross-border debt and equity offerings, structuring and financing of inbound investments into Canada and outbound investments from Canada, foreign affiliate reorganizations, profit repatriation, intellectual property migration strategies, electronic commerce, transfer pricing and tax treaty issues. For our private clients, we offer advice in owner-manager tax planning, estate and trust planning, private equity and venture capital investments.

If and when audits or disputes with the tax authorities arise, our lawyers have the experience and expertise to support you at every step. Our tax litigators represent clients in all types of CRA audits and disputes, assisting with proposals, voluntary disclosures, objections to CRA findings and appeals.

Recognition:

• 61 Farris partners ranked in Best Lawyers in Canada.
• Farris rated one of Vancouver’s leading corporate and litigation law firms for over a decade by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
• Farris Repeatedly Recognized as One of Canada's Best Law Firms
• 28 Farris partners ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

Languages: English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi and Spanish.

Gascon & Associés, S.E.N.C.R.L is a leading law firm with 4 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 5 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2006. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Gascon & Associés, S.E.N.C.R.L has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: Insurance Law, Product Liability Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Corporate Law.

Gascon & Associés, S.E.N.C.R.L is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 4 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Gascon & Associés, S.E.N.C.R.L has 4 rankings in 4 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

Ghahhary Thomas LLP is a leading choice for navigating complex, sensitive, and high-stakes legal challenges. 

We are internationally recognised barristers, with a reputation for excellence rooted in elite courtroom experience, a dedication to client success, and a strong commitment to integrity and independence. 

Our experience across public, regulatory, criminal, civil, commercial and international law is rooted in many years of practice in both the United Kingdom and Canada. 

Drawing on experience of practice at the independent bar, in global law firms, government and international organizations, our depth of expertise offers formidable representation. When you choose us, you benefit from a level of proficiency in advocacy that sets us apart in Canada’s legal market. 

With four decades of combined experience spanning North America and the UK, our global and cross jurisdictional insight brings a unique and elevated approach to any case.

Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve you is to be in tune with your world, aligned with your opportunity and ambitious for your success. With more than 1,500 legal professionals around the world, we provide our clients with in-depth knowledge in key global sectors and a suite of legal services at home and abroad. We see the world through our clients' eyes, and collaborate across countries, offices, service areas and sectors to help them succeed, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

Brief History

With roots tracing back to 1887, Gowling WLG grew to become one of the largest and most respected law firms in Canada, with a reputation for innovation in client-focused service delivery.

Building on its early strength in intellectual property, Gowling WLG diversified to offer a full suite of business law, litigation and intellectual property services in all of Canada’s key industries, including energy, mining, financial services, government, infrastructure, manufacturing, life sciences and technology.

Established by former litigation partners of a national Canadian firm, LCM Attorneys has earned its reputation as one of Montréal’s premier litigation boutiques. Built on strategic insight and uncompromising advocacy, the firm brings together more than 35 accomplished lawyers recognized for their sound judgment, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to client success.

LCM Attorneys represents multinational corporations, financial institutions, professionals, and entrepreneurs in high-stakes and complex disputes. The firm’s practice spans class actions, securities litigation, commercial and shareholders’ disputes, professional liability, construction law, public law, arbitration, and international matters. Combining meticulous preparation with strategic clarity, LCM Attorneys works closely with its clients to navigate sophisticated legal challenges and deliver decisive, results-driven outcomes.

McQuarrie Legal Services is a flourishing Surrey-based, multi-practice law firm optimally equipped to serve businesses, individuals, and institutions in the Lower Mainland and across British Columbia.

The law firm of McQuarrie Hunter LLP dates back to 1936 when Colin D. McQuarrie was called to the Bar in British Columbia and established a practice in New Westminster. In 1967, his law firm, McQuarrie and Company, merged with three long-established New Westminster firms:

Hunter and Pettenuzzo (est. 1960)

Fisher and Gates (est. 1958)

and MacKinnon and Pearce (est. 1954).

The firm, known initially as McQuarrie Hunter Fisher MacKinnon Gates Pettenuzzo and Pearce, was renamed McQuarrie Hunter in 1978.

All seven founding partners were appointed Queen’s Counsel during their respective legal careers. Both Colin D. McQuarrie and Thomas K. Fisher served as Treasurer of the Law Society of British Columbia. Thomas K. Fisher was appointed to the County Court of British Columbia in 1977 and Gordon MacKinnon to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1978.

Over the years, the firm has thrived through preserving its founders’ traditions of legal service excellence coupled with a dedication to our clients and communities.

From the beginning, McQuarrie Hunter LLP has had offices in both New Westminster and Surrey. In 2003, McQuarrie Hunter merged with the neighboring law firm of Worthington, David & Company, adding a second Surrey office.

In December 2010, the firm consolidated its three branches into one state-of-the-art office in Surrey’s Central City Tower, through which it continues to serve British Columbians proudly.

Your future is our focus.

Ogilvie was built in 1920 on a tradition of building relationships and working alongside our clients, and that is still our philosophy an entire century later. We’re proud to celebrate 100 years together with our specialized teams of lawyers who will work beside you and your business to ensure your issues are resolved.

Our proud beginning.

James Harwood Ogilvie, Q.C., left a mark on our great city that still lives on today. He began studying law at the University of Alberta in Edmonton in 1914. With the advent of World War I, Edmonton men enlisted by the thousands to serve their country, the young James Ogilvie among them. He returned home safely to complete his articles and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1920, and started Ogilvie soon after. In his many years providing legal and professional guidance to Edmontonians, he supported the communities around him and demonstrated the importance of building meaningful relationships with the people he helped. The City of Edmonton recognized his significant contributions, including serving 16 years as a city alderman, by naming a residential subdivision “Ogilvie Ridge". Our team is proud to carry on Mr. Ogilvie’s legacy by continuing to create meaningful relationships with our clients and supporting the businesses and communities that make our city great.

Our community support.

James Ogilvie believed that if you were going to work in a community, you also had to work for your community. We are committed to preserving this tradition of community support believing that corporate support is an investment in our community. On our 75th anniversary, the Ogilvie Fund was created by lawyers and staff of the firm and managed by the Edmonton Community Foundation. Every year the Ogilvie Fund provides financial assistance to a variety of causes including organizations representing single mothers, underprivileged children and youth. The Ogilvie Fund is one of our avenues for giving back to the city we work in by providing assistance to the people who need it most.

Olthuis van Ert is a leading barristers’ practice with a focus on commercial litigation and public law. Based in Vancouver and Ottawa, our firm provides expert advice and representation to clients across all levels of provincial and federal courts, as well as various tribunals.

Renno Vathilakis is a litigation firm that was founded by Karim Renno and Michael Vathilakis in February 2015. Since its inception, the firm has expanded to include 20 lawyers and a staff of over 30 individuals. It also comprises several articling students and law school students who contribute to the firm’s dynamic environment.

Renno Vathilakis emphasizes work in commercial and civil litigation, class action lawsuits, as well as employment and family law cases. Benchmark Litigation has consistently recognized both Karim Renno and Michael Vathilakis as Quebec Litigation Stars, and the firm is noted as one of the 8 recommended litigation firms in the province. Chambers has acknowledged the firm in the area of commercial litigation, while Best Lawyers 2026 has included Renno Vathilakis among noteworthy law firms in Canada in commercial litigation and family law.

Karim and Michael are fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America, an honorary society of trial lawyers that comprises fewer than half of one percent of American attorneys.

For over 70 years we have delivered The Robins Appleby Edge: top-tier legal acumen with the efficiency, care, and personal touch of a close-knit team. We build lasting relationships, achieve exceptional results in complex legal matters, and treat every client’s needs with dedication, respect, and integrity. 

We provide a wide range of legal services and have specific expertise in:  

• Affordable and Social Housing;
• Business and Transactions;
• Commercial Real Estate and Development;
• Employment Law;
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution;
• Secured Lending and Enforcement;
• Tax; and
• Wills and Estates

When lawyers with complementary areas of dedicated practice are strategically bundled together they create a team of legal expertise that extends far beyond the sum of their individual capabilities.

Effective multi-level teams are how Taylor McCaffrey LLP has come to be known as one of Manitoba’s most focused and formidable law firms.

Over the last several decades Taylor McCaffrey LLP – the firm – has achieved a reputation for excellence in law in our five Core Areas of Practice and the practice grouping of our individual lawyers.

We invite you to read more about our five Core Areas of Practice below.

Our Civil Litigation Practice Area chooses to focus on litigation on behalf of our corporate, commercial, business and individual clients. We do not practice in the area of criminal litigation. Our litigators regularly appear at all levels of court in Manitoba including provincial and federal courts and before a wide range of administrative tribunals and arbitration panels. We take pride in our many successes in matters that have proceeded to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Corporate & Commercial Area of Practice provides focused business law services to our corporate, commercial, and business clients. The interests we serve range from proprietors of small businesses to partnerships, corporate entities, pension funds, governments, related agencies and national and multi-national corporations, professional groups, chartered banks, and insurance and trust companies.

Taylor McCaffrey LLP offers advice and specialized litigation for the simplest uncontested family proceedings to the most complex financial cases involving trusts, forensic auditing and accounting and business valuations.

The lawyers in our Family Law Practice Area have the breadth of experience necessary to assist with comprehensive resolutions of all family law issues.

Our Labour & Employment Practice Area focuses on all employer-side aspects of labour and human resources and our entire team can be mobilized quickly if a major project demands that concentration of activity, in situations such as strike management, applications for certification, or a workplace accident.

Our Taxation Practice Area offers lawyers experienced in the areas of planning, compliance, litigation and the development of complex financial instruments related to personal, corporate, not-for profit and municipal tax issues.

• Construction Law
• Entertainment Law
• Financial Services & Restructuring
• First Nations
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property & Information Technology
• Municipal Law
• Pension Law
• Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice
• Property Development & Real Estate
• Securities
• Wills, Estates & Trusts

Torkin Manes LLP is a full-service law firm based in downtown Toronto. Founded in 1974, we have built our firm by focusing on the core principles that we believe make a great law firm: a deep and personal understanding of clients’ business needs; a results-oriented approach to practice that provides practical, smart, and cost-effective advice; and, above all, responsiveness to our clients. 

Our professionals provide legal counsel to individuals, public and private companies, and buyers and sellers of independent businesses. Our clients range from owner-operators and founders to investment funds and high net worth individuals, who value and trust our deep knowledge, experience and expertise in the Canadian mid-market. We advise our clients on day-to-day legal matters, as well as during the most transformative transactions and critical disputes of their businesses and lives. 

When clients require legal services in other jurisdictions, we leverage our affiliation with Meritas, an international network of select law firms of which Torkin Manes is a member, to facilitate the procurement of excellent legal service and counsel worldwide.  

Our client-driven approach has brought professional accolades. Torkin Manes has been named the 2024 Regional Law Firm of the Year (Central Canada) at the Canadian Law Awards, in addition to our long-standing recognition as Top Regional Law Firm (Ontario) by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. This firm is also consistently shortlisted as one of Canada's Regional Law Firms of the Year by Chambers and Partners. Our Construction, Corporate & Commercial, Family Law and Real Estate Groups are all recognized on the Globe & Mail’s Best Law Firms in Canada list.

Many of our lawyers are well known throughout the profession and community at large as highly respected leaders in their practice areas, as well as teachers, authors and advocates for the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association.

VanBuskirk Law is a leading law firm with Kelly Vanbuskirk recognized by Best Lawyers in 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2022. Having a lawyer recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers' credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that VanBuskirk Law has on their team. Kelly Vanbuskirk has been recognized in the following practice areas: Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Labour and Employment Law.

VanBuskirk Law is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 3 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. VanBuskirk Law has 3 rankings in 3 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.