Cowan Litigation
2 lawyers · Established 1903 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 794 handling Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Free consultation
Free consultationAbout Cowan Litigation
Cowan Litigation is a litigation-only law firm based in downtown Toronto, at 100 King Street West. The firm traces its roots back to 1903 and now operates as Northstone Law Professional Corporation, doing business as Cowan Litigation. It's run by managing partner Nick Tenev, who has a background in nuclear engineering along with earlier experience at the Royal Bank of Canada's legal department and a Bay Street firm. Rather than handling transactions or advisory work, the firm takes on disputes exclusively, appearing before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, and the Court of Appeal.
The practice is organized around three areas: business and corporate litigation, real estate litigation, and estate litigation, covering everything from shareholder disputes and failed real estate closings to contested wills and executor disputes. One of the firm's lawyers holds a JD in law and technology from the University of Ottawa, earned cum laude, along with degrees in the life sciences, and focuses on intellectual property disputes after working at IP litigation practices in Canada and the UK as well as larger national and multinational firms. Cowan Litigation offers a free initial consultation, and clients deal directly with their lawyer rather than being routed through support staff.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- The firm traces its origins to 1903.
- A litigation law clerk on the team has been voted Toronto's Top Law Clerk four times, in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, and is a fellow of the Institute of Law Clerks for Ontario.
In the community
- A member of the litigation team teaches at Durham College's School of Social and Community Services.
Fees & payment
Free consultationLawyers 2
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Law schools
- University of Ottawa 1 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Cowan Litigation's office sits in First Canadian Place at King and Bay, the tower that was Canada's tallest building from 1975 until 2025 and anchors Toronto's financial district. The tower is also home to national firms including Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt, DLA Piper, Bennett Jones, and Gowling WLG, and it connects directly into the PATH underground network, putting a litigation team focused on business, real estate, and estate disputes in the same building as some of the country's largest law practices.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Cowan Litigation help if a real estate deal in Toronto falls through?
- Yes. The firm's real estate litigation practice handles failed transactions and deposit disputes, along with mortgage enforcement, title and boundary disputes, and builder or developer conflicts across Ontario.
- I'm in a dispute with my business partners or fellow shareholders, does the firm handle that?
- Yes. Cowan Litigation's business litigation practice covers shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of contract and commercial debt claims, oppression remedy claims, and disputes over corporate fraud or fiduciary duty.
- Can Cowan Litigation help contest or defend a will in Ontario?
- Yes. The firm's estate litigation practice handles will challenges, executor and trustee disputes, dependants' relief claims, and capacity disputes involving powers of attorney and guardianship.
- Does Cowan Litigation offer a free consultation?
- Yes, the firm offers a free initial consultation for prospective clients.
- How much does a legal dispute typically cost to pursue?
- Cowan Litigation says that in its experience, legal disputes often cost clients at least $10,000 in legal fees, and the firm discusses costs directly with clients from the outset.
- Will I be working directly with my lawyer, or handed off to someone else at the firm?
- The firm says that when you call, you reach your lawyer directly, without being passed to junior staff for routine questions.
Where to find them
100 King Street West, Suite 5700, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1C7 · 416-386-3080
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