Giffen Lawyers LLP

Courts, tribunals and ADR

The litigation, advocacy and ADR group appears at mediations and arbitrations, in all areas of litigation at Ontario's various court levels, and before administrative tribunals. Professional negligence claims are part of its caseload.

Insurers, adjusters and coverage advice

The insurance group's clients are insurers from Canada and abroad, along with adjusting firms, brokers, and self-insured or reciprocal organizations. Insurers also bring the firm in before a claim turns into a dispute, for coverage opinions and claims-handling advice. Nolan Downer's practice centres mainly on liability defence for property and bodily injury claims, plus coverage analysis and coverage applications.

Every party to a project

The construction group has acted for every kind of party in the industry, from developers, contractors and home builders to suppliers, lenders, owners and design professionals. Its files include lien and construction trust claims, disputes over extras and delays, contract default and termination, and performance and payment bonds.

Planning for families and family offices

The estates team acts for individuals, business clients and family offices. Its planning work includes using more than one will to reduce Estate Administration Tax, and setting up alter ego trusts for individuals and joint partner trusts for couples.

Contested estates and guardianship

Cynthia Davis is on the estate litigation team. On contested estates, the firm serves as Estate Trustee During Litigation, handles applications for guardianship of a person or their property, and defends solicitor's negligence claims.

Development and mortgage enforcement

The real estate group's work reaches into land development, including subdivision plans, land division and rezonings, and into mortgage enforcement by power of sale, foreclosure or judicial sale. It also deals with environmental law and contaminated property.

Franchising, succession and health practices

Business clients can get help with franchising and distribution arrangements, Retirement Compensation Arrangements, and succession and asset protection planning for family and personal wealth. John P. Murray's corporate practice includes incorporating every type of professional health practice and helping with international corporate work across North America, Europe and China.

Employers and employees

The employment group advises employers and employees alike. It negotiates employment and consulting agreements, deals with terminations and wrongful dismissal, develops HR policies, and helps with human rights compliance and workplace harassment.

Restructuring and Bankruptcy Court

The insolvency and creditors' remedies group has many years of advocacy before administrative tribunals and the courts, Bankruptcy Court included. It handles debt restructurings and workouts as well as bankruptcies, proposals and receiverships.

Adoption, international matters and court

Adoptions and international family law matters are part of the family group's work. Lorrie Stojni practises family law exclusively and, when a matter can't be settled, litigates it in the Unified Family Court.

Our guide: How to Get a Divorce in Ontario

Medical malpractice and injury claims

For medical malpractice, the firm draws on a network of outside specialists and resources to help decide whether a claim is justified. Its injury work also covers dog bites, pedestrian accidents and wrongful death.