Dan Rothberg Dan received his B.Comm. (Hons) from the University of Manitoba in 1989 and his LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1993. Dan also completed courses in International Finance and Econometrics at Harvard University in 1987. Dan represents both privately held and publicly traded companies in corporate finance and securities, M&A, and general corporate and commercial law matters. Dan has acted for companies in a variety of industries, including mining, financial services, clean technology, medical technology, information technology, cannabis, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. Dan’s extensive public company experience includes initial public offerings, reverse take-overs, CPC formation and qualifying transactions, and private placement transactions with a particular focus on resource and technology companies listed or seeking a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange or the Canadian Securities Exchange. Dan also represents start-up, growth stage and mature privately held companies as well as angel investors, venture capital providers, and private equity firms with financing transactions, restructurings, and M&A transactions. Dan serves as one of the primary contacts at the firm in connection with its membership in the Geneva Group International (GGI) worldwide affiliation of professional firms. Through its participation in GGI, Dan has gained extensive experience with cross-border M&A and other transactions and often assists foreign companies wishing to establish a presence in Canada. Within GGI, Dan serves as North American Chair of the GGI Corporate & Tech Practice Group and North American Co-Chair of the GGI M&A Practice Group. Before joining Devry Smith Frank LLP, Dan had been a partner at a respected mid-sized law firm and a large national law firm, each known for their business law expertise. Dan is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Law Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Canadian Venture Capital Association, and is a former Director of the Association for Corporate Growth. In his spare time, Dan plays guitar, is an avid golfer and enjoys travelling with his wife and son. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Tracey Rynard Tracey joined Devry Smith Frank’s Barrie office on October 16th, 2017. Prior to joining DSF, Tracey achieved her B.A. in Psychology from McMaster University, B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toronto and J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in 2004 and practised law at a Bay Street law firm prior to moving to a large regional firm in Barrie where she worked for 7 years before opening a boutique law firm where she has worked for the last 4 years. Tracey brings exceptional wills, trusts and estate planning, estate litigation, consent and capacity law, not-for-profit and charity law, and general corporate law expertise to DSF. Tracey spends her limited free time outside of the office being both a hockey mom and a swim mom for her two daughters. Occasionally, she has interests of her own such as reading, running and hockey. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the North Simcoe Girls Hockey Association and participates in pro bono work in the area of elder abuse. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020April 8, 2024 No comments yet
J. Matthew Sack Matthew is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he obtained his Honours B.A. in Political Science and English Literature. While at the University of Toronto, he was a Dean’s List scholar and graduated with Distinction. Matthew received his LL.B from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and was the recipient of the Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP Millenium Scholarship in Constitutional Law. While at the University of Windsor he worked at the university’s Community Legal Aid program for three years and participated in the Zuber Moot competition. Matthew articled with Devry Smith Frank LLP where he received a broad exposure to a variety of areas of litigation with an emphasis on mortgage enforcement and insurance defence. He was called to the Bar in 2003 following the successful completion of the Bar Admission Course in Toronto. Matthew’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of secured and unsecured debt recovery, with an emphasis on mortgage remedies, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency. He has acted as counsel for many Canadian chartered banks and other financial institutions on hundreds of recovery matters. Matthew is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association. He is also a Notary Public. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 6, 2023 No comments yet
James M. Satin James is the co-managing partner of the firm and also heads our creditors rights group which includes debt recovery and bankruptcy and insolvency. Effective, efficient, results-oriented, cost-conscious and professional are adjectives used by James’ clients to describe him. Among his clients, James acts as counsel for Canadian chartered banks and other financial institutions on hundreds of recovery matters. James has expertise in the most effective, and cost-efficient methods for recovering debts, both prior to and following judgment. James works with trustees, receivers, property managers and other professionals to secure the timely realization of secured assets, and to maximize recovery on collection matters. James has had considerable success in resolving collection proceedings on an expedited basis, thereby reducing the expense to his clients and speeding up the recovery process. James also has expertise in commercial litigation. He has acted for clients in matters including contract disputes, real estate litigation, product liability, employment litigation and wrongful dismissal, estate litigation, defamation and fraud actions. He has acted for clients ranging from multinational corporations and global professional services organizations to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for individuals. He has experience with all facets of the litigation process, including interim and permanent injunctions including Mareva injunctions and other motions for the preservation of property, interlocutory motions, Court ordered and private receiverships, motions for summary judgment, examinations in aid of execution, seizure and sale of assets, Sheriff’s sales of both real and personal property, contempt proceedings and mandatory and private mediations. James’ practical, no-nonsense approach to litigation has resulted in excellent results at trial and on appeal. He frequently appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Ontario Divisional Court. James has spoken at numerous seminars on topics relating to debt collection. James is a graduate of McGill University (B.A. in Psychology, 1996) and the University of Western Ontario (LL.B, 1999). He holds a Certificate in Mediation from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre at the University of Western Ontario. James was called to the Bar in 2001. For further information or assistance with debt recovery and bankruptcy, insolvency or commercial litigation please contact James M. Satin. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
David M. Schell Devry Smith Frank LLP Toronto lawyer David Schell completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Windsor in 2002 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2004. David became a partner of the firm in 2014. David has experience in a variety of litigation areas and has appeared as counsel before both judge and jury in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He has also appeared and argued before the Court of Appeal for Ontario. In addition, David has frequently attended as counsel at various boards and tribunals, including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Licence Appeal Tribunal and the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal and the Pension Appeal Board. His current practice focuses on criminal defence and regulatory matters. He also handles plaintiff personal injury matters, where he represents people who have suffered serious personal injuries arising from motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, medical malpractice and professional negligence. In addition, David handles no-fault accident benefit claims and long-term disability claims on behalf of individuals who are injured or disabled. In addition to being a member of the Law Society of Ontario, David was called to the New York State Bar in 2004. David has acted as counsel in the following reported decisions: Watts v. Benvenuti 2006Cohen v. Magliozzi at all 2006 Garisto v. Wang 2008 Masssa and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada Livingston v. Williamson at al Henry and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Martin v. Gibson 2013 For more information and assistance on areas of litigation, please contact Toronto lawyer David Schell at 416-446-5096. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
John P. Schuman John P. Schuman is certified as a specialist in family law. He is an experienced and respected family lawyer, education lawyer and children’s rights lawyer. John Schuman is the partner heading the family law group at Devry Smith Frank LLP and he has earned the respect of his clients, judges, mediators and arbitrators for his sensible approach to resolving family law issues, his concern for children, and his understanding of complex financial matters. John Schuman received his Honours B.A. from Queens University in 1994. He obtained his EMCA (paramedic designation) in 1995. John attended Law School at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1998. He then went on to complete his LL.M. in child and family law at Queen’s University in 1999. John’s thesis on questioning child witnesses was published that same year and remains a frequently cited authority on the proper way to obtain the evidence of children. John Schuman has always practised in the areas of family law and children’s rights. He articled at a prominent Toronto litigation firm. After John was called to the bar in 2001, he practised at a firm known for its work in children’s legal issues and family law. He was also counsel for a children’s aid society before joining a prominent Toronto family law litigation boutique. He joined Devry Smith & Frank in 2009. John P. Schuman has litigated before every level of court in Ontario, several tribunals, Family arbitration, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Several of John’s cases have been reported in law reports. John’s cases involving children’s rights have been reported in the national media. John has earned the respect of the judges, mediators and arbitrators before whom he appears. In a recent court decision, Justice Sherr wrote “Mr. Schuman’s conduct, in this case, is an example of what lawyers are supposed to do in difficult cases.” John has published articles in referred legal journals on the questioning of child witnesses, allegations of abuse when parents have separated, the role children should place in the court process and the rights of children to direct their own medical treatment. John P. Schuman is also the editor of the “Child in the Courtroom” chapter of Wilson on Children and the Law. He is co-author of the Child Protection Proceedings Chapter in Evidence in Family Law. John’s book “Guide to the Basics of Family Law” is available on Amazon – click here or here. John is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Family Mediators, the ADR Institute of Ontario, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Collaborative Practice Toronto, the Ontario Paramedic Association and he is on the board of directors of York Collaborative Practice. Outside of the practice of law, he is an avid swimmer, paddler and cyclist and retains an interest in pre-hospital emergency care. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet
Kelli Preston Kelli graduated from Osgoode Hall with an L.L.B. in 2002. Kelli was called to the bar in 2003 and became a partner of a litigation boutique firm in 2004 which provided her with a large breath of knowledge in a number of areas of law. She joined Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) in 2013. Kelli manages the Whitby, Bowmanville and Haliburton offices for DSF. Kelli’s litigation practice areas encompass, real estate and mortgage litigation cases including mortgage recovery, estate litigation, bankruptcy, securities litigation, professional negligence, and general corporate/commercial litigation. Working on cases at all levels of court in Canada, Kelli has counselled and co-counselled several significant cases at the trial and appellate level. In addition to litigation, Kelli also practices real estate including residential and commercial, mortgage refinancing, wills and estate planning, franchising, corporate including share purchase and asset purchase agreements. Prior to her call to the bar in January 2003, Kelli was a law clerk for 13 years. In this capacity, she gained significant experience working with prominent senior lawyers in the commercial litigation field, with a special emphasis on solicitor negligence claims. Kelli credits this background to her pragmatic approach to her files. Kelli lives in Brooklin Ontario with her husband and has three children. Kelli’s favorite pastime without a doubt is travelling. Having her next trip booked is mandatory! She also loves cooking, waterskiing, downhill skiing, practicing yoga and spending time with her family at their cottage in Haliburton. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020March 25, 2024 No comments yet
David Lavkulik David Lavkulik is an established Toronto mediator at Devry Smith Frank LLP. David was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1995. He received a B.A. (Econ.) from the University of Toronto in 1990 and a law degree from the University of Victoria (B.C.) Law School in 1993. David is a partner at Devry Smith Frank LLP and works as a lawyer and mediator. He has been with DSF since 1999. David has over 28 years of civil litigation experience, with a focus on Insurance-Personal Injury claims including Tort, Accident Benefits and Disability claims and Coverage disputes, Medical Malpractice claims, Professional Negligence, Employment Litigation, Estates Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Sexual Abuse claims. Approximately 75% of his practice has been allocated to acting as counsel for various corporate defendants/insurers, with the remaining 25% allocated to acting for injured parties/plaintiffs. He has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario including trials (jury and non-jury), the Court of Appeal, Costs hearings, as well as at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. David has extensive mediation experience, both as counsel and as a mediator. He has acted as a mediator in over 2000 claims. His work as a mediator has been described as “persistent”, “patient”, and a “demonstration of the real art of mediation”. His experience in acting for both plaintiffs and defendants provides him with valuable insight into the perspectives of both sides, both as a mediator and as counsel. David is distinguished as counsel by his ability to take on and turn around the most challenging cases where previous counsel was unable to achieve any results. His work as Plaintiff counsel on one such case was summarized by the Court following a 13-day jury trial as follows: “This was a long, complicated and very demanding trial. It was, at the same time, a very well thought out, planned and presented a case that Ms. M’s counsel placed before the jury… The health care issues were many and complex. Ms. M’s counsel was challenged to marshal the evidence necessary to help the jury to appreciate and assess the issues. I allow counsel fees for Mr. Lavkulik as senior trial counsel as that was the role he fulfilled in that forum. Trials demand much from counsel. They are not an arena for the timid. Trials challenge the skills, training and experience of any counsel. They present difficulties and pitfalls not easily avoided. This case is no exception; in fact, it proves the point. To the extent that billing rates are a relevant factor, I prefer to view them in this case at the highest levels of those usually thought applicable for timekeepers of each level or range of experience considered.”[1] The judge’s comments are particularly significant given the history of the claim (the action had been dismissed prior to David’s involvement [2])and the magnitude of the jury verdict [3] and trial judge’s costs award. David is also a part-time, yet award winning musician and songwriter. He plays guitar, keyboards and saxophone in several groups, is a member of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International and Songtown and can occasionally be heard performing at venues in the GTA and Nashville. Mader v Hunter (2013) Costs Order following trial 2.Mader v Hunter (2004) Ontario Court of Appeal 3. The Jury Verdict and evidence at trial is summarized in the reasons at 1 above, and in the threshold decision at Mader v Hunter (2012) Threshold Motion following trial By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020February 12, 2024 No comments yet
Todd E. Slonim Todd received his B.A. in communication studies from the University of Calgary. While there, he created a documentary film that won Best Human Interest Documentary at the North West International Film Festival in 1999. Todd then attended Cardiff Law School in Wales and completed his LL.B. He returned to Canada to attend Dalhousie Law School, before returning to Toronto to complete his articles with a family law firm. Todd is a partner in our family law department. He has been involved with many difficult and complex cases. In addition to appearing at all levels of courts in Ontario, Todd is a proponent of resolving family law matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has achieved excellent results for his clients in mediation and arbitration while avoiding the pitfalls of court proceedings. Todd is an accredited family law mediator. He brings an insightful, practical and efficient approach to mediation to help guide the parties towards the resolution of their family law disputes. Todd promotes the mediation process as a positive and reliable alternative to litigation. Todd is a trained collaborative family lawyer. He advances the collaborative practice as a practical and alternative process to court to help families achieve settlement in a respectful, creative and cost-effective manner. Todd is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, Law Society of Ontario, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, Collaborative Practice Toronto and York Collaborative Practice. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020March 18, 2024 No comments yet
Larry W. Keown Larry has practised with the firm since 1997 as a litigator in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate law and employment law including: commercial landlord and tenant litigation, leasing disputes, real estate and mortgage litigation, banking recovery litigation, title insurance litigation, bankruptcy, receivership and insolvency, wrongful dismissal and employment law, oppression remedy and shareholder disputes, franchise disputes, construction lien litigation, injunctions, estate litigation, partnership litigation, commercial contract disputes and collections. Larry completed his honour arts degree in Psychology and Sociology at Brandon University in Manitoba and his law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. After articling at the firm in 1995/1996, Larry was called to the Bar in 1997 and admitted as a partner in the firm in 2003. For more than a decade, Larry has been the Managing Partner of the firm. Larry’s clients include a broad range of individuals, corporations and institutions including: major banks, lenders, title insurers, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, shareholders, employers, employees, commercial landlords, commercial tenants, property managers, insurers and others. He has significant courtroom experience, having appeared before the Small Claims Court of Ontario, the Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Canada, the Divisional Court in Ontario and the Ontario Court of Appeal on numerous motions, applications, trials and appeals. Larry has also appeared before many tribunals including: the Financial Services Commission, the Work Place Safety and Insurance Tribunal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He also has participated in many alternative dispute forums including: arbitrations and mediations. To see what some of Larry’s clients have said about him please visit our Client Testimonials page. Our law firm is conveniently located at Lawrence and Don Mills and we offer free parking. For further information or assistance with a legal matter please contact Toronto lawyer and litigator Larry Keown. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020September 5, 2023 No comments yet