Directory of Certified Specialists - Law Society of Ontario

The Certified Specialist Program recognizes members of the Law Society who have met established standards of experience and knowledge requirements in one or more designated areas of law and have maintained exemplary standards of professional practice.

Specialty Areas

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Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law
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Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law deals with the rights and obligations of debtors, creditors and third parties in insolvency situations.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Citizenship and Immigration Law
Citizenship and Immigration Law relates to all aspects of Immigration and Refugee Protection. Lawyers may hold the Certified Specialist designation in one or both sub-specialties of Citizenship and Immigration Law.

Immigration View all Specialists in this area
Immigration Law encompasses matters arising out of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2002 and Regulations, the Citizenship Act and Regulations, and related statutes including matters involving temporary entry to Canada, permanent entry, enforcement, citizenship, review and appellate remedies, including the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Bill of Rights
Refugee Protection View all Specialists in this area
Refugee Protection Law encompasses refugee determination matters arising out of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2002, and Regulations, in particular Part II of the Act, eligibility and admissibility, detention and release, review and appellate remedies including the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Bill of Rights and International Conventions.

Civil Litigation
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Civil Litigation is the practice of law dealing with civil disputes before courts, administrative tribunals, arbitrators and mediators.

Construction Law
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Construction Law encompasses the representation of participants in the construction industry and includes the negotiation and formation of contracts, provision of legal advice on construction matters, representation with regards to tenders or proposals, preparation of documents, representation in proceedings and the resolution of disputes including, alternative dispute resolution and litigation.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Corporate and Commercial Law
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Corporate and Commercial Law encompasses the provision of legal advice to and the representation of clients engaged in corporate and commercial activities and includes but is not limited to the creation of business structures, the termination of business existence, the negotiation and formation of contracts, corporate and business reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities, private equity and debt financing, creditor and debtor rights and remedies, leasing, franchising, information technology, non-share corporations, tax-related matters, representation before administrative tribunals and the resolution of business disputes including, alternative dispute resolution and support for related litigation.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Criminal Law
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Criminal law is the practice of law dealing with the prosecution, defence (“Trial Advocacy”) and appeals (“Appellate Advocacy”) of criminal law, quasi criminal or related matters before all levels of courts and other forums.

Environmental Law
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Environmental Law pertains to the civil, criminal, quasi-criminal, administrative and constitutional framework for the protection, restoration, conservation and management of the environment.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Estates and Trusts Law
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Estates and Trusts deals with assisting clients to plan for incapacity and the succession of their assets, having regard for their express wishes, the nature and magnitude of their assets, the circumstances and needs of beneficiaries, the tax effects of death, and all statutes and rules of law governing these matters. It also deals with preparing the documents required to give effect to such plans - especially wills, powers of attorney and inter vivos trust instruments, advising and assisting attorneys and trustees in the execution of their duties, and beneficiaries and claimants against estates and trusts of their rights. Estates and Trusts deals with administering estates and trusts and acting as counsel, or instructing counsel, in litigious matters on behalf of trustees, attorneys, beneficiaries, and claimants against estates and trusts.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Family Law
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Family Law deals with all aspects of domestic relationships within or outside marriage such as separation and divorce, property issues, support issues, child custody and access, child protection cases and adoption, and domestic contracts.

Health Law
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The branch of the practice of law pertaining to the provision of legal advice and services in respect of the provision of health care.

Indigenous Legal Issues
The practice of Indigenous Legal Issues is that area of law which incorporates Indigenous Laws, jurisdiction, and perspectives and deals with or affects the creation, recognition, advancement, protection, exercise, implementation, and reconciliation of the inherent and other rights, interests, and claims of Indigenous individuals, communities, nations, and Peoples.

Corporate and Commercial View all Specialists in this area
The subspecialty Indigenous Legal Issues: Corporate and Commercial is the practice of law in Indigenous Legal Issues in relation to the commercial activities of Indigenous individuals, communities, nations, and Peoples, and their representative organizations or governments, regarding their socio-economic development and business interests.
Litigation and Advocacy View all Specialists in this area
The subspecialty Indigenous Legal Issues: Litigation and Advocacy is the practice of law in Indigenous Legal Issues before courts, tribunals, or regulatory bodies and in claims processes. This subspecialty includes those proceedings that affect the interests of Indigenous individuals, communities, nations, or Peoples associated with the matter and where, regardless of the claims or cultural identities of the parties to the matter, the Indigenous perspective is material in the proceeding.
Rights and Governance View all Specialists in this area
The subspecialty Indigenous Legal Issues: Rights and Governance is the practice of law in Indigenous Legal Issues relating to the regulation and management of Indigenous lands, territories, and resources, the development and implementation of Indigenous government or governance structures (internal and external), as well as the interaction of the rights, interests, and claims of Indigenous individuals, communities, nations, and Peoples with Indigenous, federal, and provincial laws and policies that may affect Indigenous rights, interests, and claims.

Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual Property Law includes Patent Law, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Industrial Design, Integrated Circuit Typography, Trade Secrets and Plant Breeders Rights. Lawyers may hold the Certified Specialist designation in one, two or three of the sub-specialties of Intellectual Property Law.

Patent Law View all Specialists in this area
Patent Law relates to all aspects of the Patent Act and regulations, including the acquisition, protection, maintenance and enforcement of patent rights in the Patent Office and in the courts, and the licensing and sale of such rights.
Trademark Law View all Specialists in this area
Trademark Law relates to trademark, trade dress and related rights under the Trademarks Act and regulations and at common law. The practice of Trademark Law includes the acquisition, protection, maintenance and enforcement of trademark rights in the Trademarks Office and the courts, and the licensing and sale of such rights.
Copyright Law View all Specialists in this area
Copyright Law relates to rights under the Copyright Act and regulations. The practice of Copyright Law includes the acquisition, protection and enforcement of copyrights in the Copyright Office and before the Courts and Copyright Board, and the licensing and sale of such rights.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Labour Law
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Labour Law deals with all aspects of labour and employment (public and private sectors) including, but not limited to, certification proceedings, collective bargaining, collective agreement administration, labour arbitration, unfair labour practice complaints, strikes and picketing, the administration of employee benefit plans, workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, employment standards, pay equity, rights of individual employees, rights of union members, employment discrimination and all matters arising out of applicable labour law or employment law statutes and practice before applicable tribunals, including courts.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Municipal Law
The provision of legal advice and the representation of clients relating to the functioning of local government, in one or both local government and land use planning and development Law.

Local Government View all Specialists in this area
The practice of law relating to all aspects of the Municipal Act, 2001 and other legislation affecting or created by municipalities, and generally the law relating to the operation and day-to-day activities of municipalities and those who are affected by the exercise of their powers.
Land Use Planning and Development View all Specialists in this area
The practice of law relating to the exercise by the Province, municipalities and other government authorities of their powers under the Planning Act and other legislation related to the use, development and protection of land.

Real Estate Law
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Real Estate Law deals with matters relating to real property interests including, but not limited to real estate and other related property conveyances, title and related searches, leases, easements, condominiums, cooperatives and other forms of co-ownerships, mortgages and mortgage enforcement, zoning and land use planning, real estate development and financing, real estate remedies and litigation and determination of real property rights.

Legal aid certificates are not accepted in this area of law.

Taxation Law
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The practice of Taxation Law encompasses the provision of legal advice and representation of clients relating to the interpretation and application of federal and Ontario statutory and regulatory rules through which governments impose taxes on individuals and entities.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Law
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Workplace Safety & Insurance Law deals with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act and regulations; the operation of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board [the "WSIB"], its policy, its appeal and its hearing process and its caselaw; the Workplace Safety & Insurance Appeals Tribunal [the "WSIAT"], its procedures, its caselaw and its interrelation with the WSIB and the courts.