Law Works
3 lawyers · Established 2012 · City of Toronto, Metro Vancouver, Calgary Region
One of 2,347 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 765 handling Business & Corporate Law.
Free consultation
Free consultationAbout Law Works
Law Works is a small dispute resolution firm that concentrates on franchise, commercial, and real estate disputes. Ben Hanuka founded the firm in Toronto in 2012, after starting to practise law in the city in 1998 and building a franchise litigation practice first at a mid-size firm and then at a small commercial litigation firm. Ontario had no franchise-specific legislation when Hanuka got into the field, so the early work grew out of franchise agreements and common law rather than a statute.
The firm added a Vancouver office in 2017, after British Columbia passed its own franchise legislation, and a Calgary office in 2024. Toronto remains the firm's base, with Vancouver and Calgary run as satellite offices. Law Works represents franchisors, franchisees, businesses, and investors in litigation, arbitration, and mediation, and it also drafts and reviews franchise disclosure documents. Hanuka is a Law Society of Ontario Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and acts as a franchise arbitrator and mediator in all three provinces. Associate Anthony Pugh, called to the Ontario bar in 2018, works alongside Hanuka on the firm's franchise and commercial files.
Milestones & recognition
- Ben Hanuka founded Law Works in Toronto in 2012, after starting to practise law in the city in 1998.
- The firm expanded into British Columbia in 2017, after the province passed its own franchise legislation, and opened a Calgary office in 2024.
- Hanuka was called to the Ontario bar in 1998, the British Columbia bar in 2017, and the Alberta bar in 2024.
- Hanuka became a Law Society of Ontario Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation in 2015 and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) in 2019.
- Hanuka is listed for Franchise Law in the Canadian Lexpert Directory and in Best Lawyers in Canada peer reviews.
- Hanuka has acted as counsel in a number of franchise court decisions in Ontario over the past twenty-five years, including Mendoza v. Active Tire & Auto Inc., 2017 ONCA 471, and Bekah v. Three for One Pizza, 2003, 67 O.R. (3d) 305.
In the community
- Hanuka served as founding chair of the Ontario Bar Association's Joint Subcommittee of Franchising from 2002 to 2008, the predecessor to its Franchise Law Section.
- Hanuka later chaired the OBA's Civil Litigation Section from 2004 to 2005 and its Professional Development committee from 2005 to 2006.
- Hanuka has presented and chaired continuing education programs for Ontario lawyers through the OBA and the Law Society of Ontario.
- Hanuka sits on the Vancouver International Arbitration Centre's Domestic Expedited Procedure Panel and is a member of the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee.
- Associate Anthony Pugh writes case commentary for the firm's blog on recent Ontario court decisions affecting franchisors and commercial landlords and tenants.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleFees & payment
Free consultationLawyers 3
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1998–2024 · median 8 years in practice 3 of 3 lawyers
- Law schools
- Osgoode Hall Law School (2), University of British Columbia 3 of 3 lawyers
Who handles what
Offices 3
Law Works L.C., 1285 West Broadway, Suite 600, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3X8
Ben Hanuka P.C. o/a Law Works, 350-7th Avenue SW, Suite 2900, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3N9
The neighbourhood
The Toronto office is at 19 River Street in Corktown, just north of Queen Street East and close to the Don River. The building started out in 1908 as the factory of the Queen City Vinegar Company, designed by architect J. Francis Brown; the vinegar company's old nameplate is still carved above the entrance. A developer converted the former warehouse into loft units in 2008, adding two glass floors on top of the original brick and stone structure while keeping features like exposed brick and polished concrete floors.
The block sits between two areas of the east downtown core that have changed considerably in recent years, the Regent Park redevelopment to the north and the West Don Lands to the south, with the Canary District just south of the neighbourhood.
Frequently asked questions
- What areas of law does Law Works handle?
- Law Works focuses on franchise, commercial, and real estate disputes, acting for franchisors, franchisees, businesses, and investors in litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
- Can Law Works draft or review our Franchise Disclosure Document?
- Yes. The firm drafts and reviews Franchise Disclosure Documents and related documents for franchisors expanding their systems.
- Does Law Works handle franchise disputes through arbitration instead of court?
- Yes. Ben Hanuka, the firm's principal, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and acts as a franchise mediator and arbitrator in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, and the firm offers franchise mediation and arbitration services alongside litigation.
- Where does Law Works have offices?
- Law Works is based in Toronto, where it was founded in 2012, with satellite offices in Vancouver, opened in 2017, and Calgary, opened in 2024.
- How do I book a consultation with Law Works?
- Law Works offers a free 15-minute phone consultation with principal Ben Hanuka, bookable online, covering franchisor services, complex franchise disputes, commercial disputes, and real estate disputes. The firm notes that it doesn't take on individual (unit) franchisee matters through this consultation, though it may refer those callers to other lawyers, and that booking a call doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship.
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