Investigation Counsel PC
7 lawyers · Established 2007 · City of Toronto, Metro Vancouver
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 794 handling Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
About Investigation Counsel PC
Investigation Counsel PC is a Toronto law firm that practises fraud recovery litigation exclusively, representing victims rather than the people accused of committing fraud. Norman J. Groot founded the firm in 2007, after a career that began in policing in 1985. Groot earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario in 1998, was called to the Ontario bar in 2000, authored the book Canadian Law and Private Investigations in 1999, and holds the Certified Fraud Examiner designation.
The firm's lawyers pursue Mareva injunctions, Anton Piller orders, and Norwich Pharmacal orders to freeze assets and preserve evidence in fraud cases, and Investigation Counsel PC also acts as independent supervising solicitor when a court authorizes an Anton Piller search. Its class action lawyers have been lead counsel in reported decisions in the courts of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, including actions against Canadian banks over mutual fund fees and a case involving Google's collection of facial data from photos.
The firm's investigative work is led by a former twenty year member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who went on to head KPMG's corporate intelligence practice. A second office in Vancouver extends the practice into British Columbia, where one of the firm's lawyers is also called to the bar, alongside admission in Massachusetts.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Norman J. Groot authored the book Canadian Law and Private Investigations in 1999, before founding the firm in 2007.
- The firm's class action lawyers have served as lead counsel in reported decisions in the courts of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, including the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Quebec Court of Appeal, in cases involving mutual funds, technology companies, and consumer products.
- Norman Groot discussed a major cryptocurrency fraud case on CTV's W5 program, in a segment called The Crypto Bros.
- Chris Mathers, the firm's lead investigator, spent twenty years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and later led KPMG's corporate intelligence practice, and published the book Crime School: Money Laundering.
In the community
- The firm publishes Canadian Fraud News, described as Canada's weekly newsletter on breaking fraud cases.
- The firm maintains a blog series called What Fraud Victims Should Know, offering legal research and guidance on fraud recovery.
- One of the firm's associate lawyers hosts A Matter of Fraud, a podcast on fraud investigation and recovery, with guests including a former RCMP investigator and a private investigation firm executive.
- Norman Groot has appeared on Zoomer television panels discussing family member fraud, phone and phishing scams, online investment fraud, and the grandparent scam.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleFees & payment
Flat feeLawyers 7
Ashley Ferguson
Senior Associate Lawyer
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Chris Leafloor
Of Counsel
Chris Mathers
Lead Investigator
Erin Stoik
Senior Associate Lawyer
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
John Archibald
Principal Lawyer
Class ActionsCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Kimberly Parmassar
Associate Lawyer
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Norman J. Groot
Founder and Managing Lawyer
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 2000–2022 · median 23 years in practice 5 of 7 lawyers
- Law schools
- Bond University, University of New Brunswick, University of Western Ontario 3 of 7 lawyers
Who handles what
Offices 2
The neighbourhood
Investigation Counsel PC's main office is at 55 University Avenue in downtown Toronto, with a second office on West Pender Street in downtown Vancouver. The two city footprint matches the firm's docket: its lawyers are called to the bar in Ontario and British Columbia, and one is also admitted in Massachusetts, and its class actions have been argued in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec courts. Rather than serving a single walk in neighbourhood, the firm's cases and clients run across provincial lines.
Frequently asked questions
- I think I've lost money to an investment scam. Can Investigation Counsel PC help me get it back?
- Yes. The firm's core practice is fraud recovery litigation for victims of investment fraud, and its lawyers use tools such as Mareva injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal orders to trace and freeze assets.
- What is an Anton Piller order, and does the firm handle them?
- An Anton Piller order is a court order that lets a party preserve evidence before it can be destroyed. Investigation Counsel PC acts as independent supervising solicitor on Anton Piller searches, overseeing the process on the court's behalf.
- Does Investigation Counsel PC represent individuals, or only banks and businesses?
- Both. The firm represents corporate, institutional, and individual victims of fraud, including cases arising from investment transactions, employment, and personal relationships.
- Is Investigation Counsel PC involved in any class actions right now?
- Yes. The firm's class action lawyers have filed cases against Canadian banks over mutual fund fees, sometimes called closet indexing claims, and a case in Quebec and British Columbia over Google's collection of facial data from photos.
- Where are Investigation Counsel PC's offices?
- The firm's main office is at 55 University Avenue in Toronto, and it has a second office on West Pender Street in Vancouver.
- Does the firm offer a free consultation or assessment?
- The firm offers fraud recovery assessments on a fixed rate or complimentary basis, depending on the complexity of the case and whether the firm is retained.
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