Supreme Court of Canada (partially) upholds judgment against former Livent auditor
On December 20, Canada’s highest court released a hotly anticipated decision that is almost certainly the final act in the more than 20 year saga of a formerly pre-eminent theater company, Livent Inc. and an accounting fraud by its senior management. This was a fraud that, among other things led to the 2009 criminal conviction of Livent founders, Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb. Livent’s Receiver Manager sued former Livent auditor, Deloitte & Touche for issuing clean audit opinions and a comfort letter to potential investors in the face of numerous red flags indicating fraud by senior management that it said Deloitte ... [more] Full article
Failure to register share transfer doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen: Supreme Court of Canada denies oppression remedy claim
The Supreme Court of Canada in Mennillo v. Intramodal Inc. held that a small, closely held corporation’s failure to comply with some of the requirements under the Canada Business Corporations ... [more] Full article
Shotgun Clause Robs Shareholders of $750k
The BC Court of Appeal has upheld an arbitrator’s finding that triggering a shotgun clause terminated the selling parties’ interest in a joint venture, thereby eliminating their entitlement to an ... [more] Full article
Shareholder spat leaves plaintiffs with no remedy, and an order to pay $2.7 million in costs
The case of Harris v. Leikin Group Inc. provides another illustration of the messy, and costly, fallout that can occur when there is a dispute within a successful family business. [more] Full article
Disputes within Companies and Partnerships Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
