Lawler Advocacy
4 lawyers · City of Toronto
One of 2,345 law firms listed in Toronto, and one of 794 handling Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
About Lawler Advocacy
Lawler Advocacy is a small Toronto law firm with four lawyers, based in First Canadian Place in the city's Financial District. Sean Lawler founded the firm after several years as a partner at Shibley Righton LLP. The practice concentrates on three related areas: representing lawyers in professional liability matters, wills and estates litigation, and mediation of estate and beneficiary disputes.
Lawler was called to the Ontario bar in 1997 after graduating from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and has served as preferred counsel to LawPro, the insurer for Ontario lawyers, for more than 20 years. That work has put the firm in front of every level of court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, the Tax Court of Canada, and several administrative tribunals. The rest of the team brings different backgrounds to the practice. Preston Tu was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2014 before being called in Ontario in 2019. Freya Painting worked in professional regulation at the College of Nurses of Ontario and at the Ontario Ombudsman before joining the firm in 2023. Sabrina Aujla completed law degrees at Bond University in Queensland, Australia, before returning to practice in Toronto.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Sean Lawler was called to the Ontario bar in 1997 after graduating from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
- Before founding Lawler Advocacy, Lawler was a partner at Shibley Righton LLP.
- Lawler has been preferred counsel to LawPro, the errors and omissions insurer for Ontario lawyers, for more than 20 years.
- Preston Tu was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2014, after clerking for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2019.
- Freya Painting joined the firm in 2023 after working in professional regulation at the College of Nurses of Ontario and at the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman.
- Sabrina Aujla completed a Juris Doctor with a specialization in Canadian law and a Master of Laws at Bond University in Queensland, Australia.
In the community
- Sean Lawler sits on the board of the Argonaut Rowing Club, one of Toronto's oldest rowing clubs, founded in 1872, and holds the membership portfolio there.
- Freya Painting serves on the board of the Summerville Family Health Team and on the Community Services Committee of a local Rotary club.
- In 2018 Sean Lawler took part in the 'Fight To End Cancer' charity boxing event.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleLawyers 4
This firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1997–2019 · median 18 years in practice 2 of 4 lawyers
- Law schools
- University of Toronto (2), Bond University, Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law 4 of 4 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
Lawler Advocacy's office is in First Canadian Place, at King and Bay in the heart of Toronto's Financial District. The tower was built as the Bank of Montreal's headquarters and, from its completion in 1975 until 2025, was the tallest building in Canada. It's a mixed office, banking, and retail complex, connected to Toronto's underground PATH network, so clients don't need to go outside to reach it from many points downtown.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Lawler Advocacy represent lawyers facing a professional liability claim?
- Yes. Sean Lawler has served as preferred counsel for LawPro, the insurer for Ontario lawyers, for more than 20 years, and the firm represents insured lawyers in liability claims arising from matters such as will drafting errors, missed deadlines, failed transactions, and disputed costs awards.
- Can Lawler Advocacy help if a family member is contesting a will?
- Wills and estates litigation is one of the firm's three core areas. It handles will challenges, dependant support claims, disputes over estate property, allegations of incapacity or undue influence, advice to estate trustees, and passing of accounts.
- Does the firm offer mediation for estate and beneficiary disputes?
- Yes. Lawler Advocacy provides mediation services for estate matters, working to balance beneficiary interests, review how an estate is being administered, and assess a testator's original intent.
- Where is Lawler Advocacy's office located?
- The office is in First Canadian Place, Suite 5700, 100 King Street West, in downtown Toronto.
- How many lawyers work at Lawler Advocacy?
- The firm is a team of four: Sean Lawler, Preston Tu, Freya Painting, and Sabrina Aujla.
- Does the firm have any lawyers admitted to practice outside Ontario?
- Yes. Preston Tu was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2014 before being called to the Ontario bar in 2019, and brings commercial and litigation experience from both jurisdictions.
Where to find them
First Canadian Place, Suite 5700, 100 King St. W, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1C7 · 416-644-7373
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Personal InjuryListing compiled from the firm’s public website in August 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗