Keel Cottrelle LLP
13 lawyers · Established 1987 · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 369 handling Administrative & Regulatory Law.
About Keel Cottrelle LLP
Keel Cottrelle LLP is a mid-sized law firm in downtown Toronto that traces back to 1987, when a group of lawyers left larger firms to practise together in what they described as a smaller, more focused and congenial environment. Founding partner George Cottrelle, called to the Ontario bar in 1980 after graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School, still practises at the firm today. The other founding partner, Bob Keel, was called to the bar in 1977 and practised law at the firm until declining health required giving up the practice; Bob Keel passed away on November 20, 2024.
The firm's lawyers work across a range of practice areas, from education law, administrative law and professional regulation to condominium law, construction, employment law and wills and estates. Its education law group represents public school boards across Ontario, along with education associations and consortia, private and independent schools, post-secondary institutions and First Nations education organizations. Litigation lawyers at the firm have appeared before every level of court in Ontario and Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada, and before a range of tribunals, boards and commissions. The firm also keeps lawyers on staff who are fluent in French.
Keel Cottrelle's lawyers have been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada every year from 2020 through 2026, and the firm received Corporate International Magazine's 2010 International Legal Award for The Best Boutique Law Firm In Canada.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Keel Cottrelle LLP was formed in 1987 by a group of lawyers from larger firms who wanted a smaller, more focused and congenial place to practise, including founding partners Bob Keel, called to the Ontario bar in 1977, and George Cottrelle, called in 1980.
- The firm received Corporate International Magazine's 2010 International Legal Award for The Best Boutique Law Firm In Canada, and it has twice been included in Canadian Lawyer Magazine's annual survey of Canada's law firm boutiques.
- Keel Cottrelle lawyers have been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada every year from 2020 through 2026, including in administrative and public law, corporate and commercial litigation, labour and employment law, insurance law and real estate law.
- Litigation lawyers at the firm have appeared before every level of court in Ontario and Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada, and before a range of tribunals, boards and commissions.
In the community
- Keel Cottrelle is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to the promotion of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and it maintains an EDI Committee that directs the firm's diversity work.
- The firm publishes newsletters on education law, employment and HR law, professional regulation, construction law, wills and estates, condominium law and procurement, and its lawyers regularly deliver seminars and professional development sessions for other lawyers and members of the education community.
- Lawyers at the firm chair the Ontario Bar Association's Education Law and Administrative Law section executives for 2026 and 2027, and they chair the Osgoode Professional Development certificate program in education law.
- Keel Cottrelle sponsored the Canadian Bar Association's Administrative Law and Labour and Employment Conference, held in Ottawa in November 2025.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
By appointmentLawyers 13
Alex Smith
Associate
Administrative & Regulatory LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Anthony Rosato
Partner
Business & Corporate LawIntellectual Property
Buck Sully
Partner
Real Estate LawBusiness & Corporate Law
Christopher Wirth
Partner
Administrative & Regulatory LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
George Cottrelle
Partner
Employment & Labour LawBusiness & Corporate Law
James Easto
Counsel
Business & Corporate LawReal Estate Law
John Little
Partner
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionConstruction Law
Karly Kolynchuk
Associate
Administrative & Regulatory LawBusiness & Corporate Law
Kimberley Ishmael
Partner
Administrative & Regulatory LawEmployment & Labour Law
Michael Tersigni
Partner
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionConstruction Law
Nicola Simmons
Partner
Administrative & Regulatory LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Patricia Harper
Partner
Administrative & Regulatory LawCivil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Rita Yousif
Associate
Civil Litigation & Dispute ResolutionConstruction Law
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1976–2025 · median 19 years in practice 13 of 13 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Toronto (4), Osgoode Hall Law School (3), University of Ottawa (2), Queen's University, Queen's University, Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia and 1 more 13 of 13 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Keel Cottrelle's office is at 1 Toronto Street, a postmodern office tower completed in 1989 at the corner of Toronto Street and King Street East, in Toronto's downtown financial and legal district. A few doors along stands the Toronto Street Post Office at number 10, a Greek Revival building finished in 1853. The post office was designated a National Historic Site in 1958, then used by the Bank of Canada until 1959, and later became the head office of Argus Corporation.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Keel Cottrelle represent school boards and other education clients?
- Yes. The firm's education law group acts for public school boards across Ontario, along with education associations and consortia, private and independent schools, post-secondary institutions and First Nations education organizations.
- Can Keel Cottrelle help with a condominium dispute or a Condominium Authority Tribunal case?
- Yes. The firm acts for condominium purchasers, unit owners, investors, and condominium corporations and directors, including disputes before the Condominium Authority Tribunal and the courts.
- Does the firm handle wrongful dismissal and other employment law matters?
- Yes. Keel Cottrelle advises both employers and employees on employment contracts, terminations, wrongful dismissal, executive compensation and workplace human rights issues.
- Is legal service available in French at Keel Cottrelle?
- Yes. The firm has lawyers on staff who are fluent in French.
- How long has Keel Cottrelle been practising in Toronto?
- The firm was formed in 1987 by a group of lawyers who left larger firms to practise together, and it has operated from downtown Toronto ever since.
- Does Keel Cottrelle handle construction and school board procurement work?
- Yes. Construction law and procurement law are among the firm's practice areas, and its education law group advises school boards on procurement of goods and services, construction, real estate and land development and expropriations.
Where to find them
1 Toronto Street, Suite 910, Toronto, ON M5C 2V6 · 416-367-2900
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