Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- Osgoode Hall Law School (1998) LLB
- Queen's University (1995) BA (Honours - Political Science)
- LawVision Group (2015) Legal Project Management
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Monique Jilesen (she/her)
is Managing Partner at Lenczner Slaght.
"She is very client-focused, personable and strategic." — Chambers Canada
Monique is one of Canada’s leading litigators who clients turn to for their toughest commercial disputes. Her practice focuses on class actions, contract and shareholder disputes, civil fraud cases, injunctions, professional liability, bankruptcy and insolvency matters, and securities and derivatives cases.
Monique is a fearless advocate, unafraid to take on tough, notable, and high-profile cases, even at a moment’s notice. She was counsel to the Ukrainian World Congress in an application for judicial review of Canada's decision to allow the delivery of turbines to Germany for use by a sanctioned Russian company. In Li v Barber, she successfully secured an unprecedented Mareva order freezing up to $20 million of assets and cryptocurrency of Freedom Convoy leaders. She also represented Douglas Cardinal in an injunction to restrain the use in Canada of the Cleveland baseball team's racist name and logo on human rights grounds.
Recognized for her exceptional work, Monique was previously awarded The Advocates’ Society’s prestigious Douglas K. Laidlaw Award for Excellence in Advocacy. In 2023, Monique was named Litigator of the Year at the Canadian Law Awards and one of the Top 50 Most Influential by Toronto Life. Monique is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Monique is co-leader of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group and a member of the Commercial List Users’ Committee. In 2018, she developed commerciallist.com, an award-winning website that serves as a one-stop shop for all things Commercial List.
As the firm's Managing Partner, Monique is at the forefront of executing the firm’s strategy, building an innovative mindset across the firm, and nurturing its high-performing and inclusive culture.
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Bell Media Inc et al v Warner Bros. Discovery et al
Counsel to the Warner Bros. Discovery entities responding to Bell Media Inc.’s request for a permanent injunction seeking to prevent Warner Bros. Discovery from licensing television content to Rogers Communications Inc.
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University of Toronto (Governing Council) v Doe et al
Counsel to the University of Toronto in successfully bringing an interlocutory injunction to bring a peaceful end to the encampment that occupied the green space known as Front Campus for over 50 days. The University successfully argued that it was the private property owner of Front Campus and entitled to enforce its property rights over the protestors residing in the encampment. The University also successfully argued that its actions in respect of the encampment were not subject to the application of the Charter.
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Castillo v Xela Enterprises Ltd
Counsel to the court-appointed receiver in contempt proceedings on the Commercial List. Successfully obtained a finding of civil contempt and a full indemnity costs award – both of which were upheld on appeal.
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Counsel to a board director of a TSX listed company to compel production of records in relation to an insider transaction.
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Original Traders Energy Ltd (Re)
Counsel to Mareva Respondents in injunction and CCAA proceedings.
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Bilak et al v The Attorney General of Canada
Application for Judicial Review challenging the decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada to exempt turbines for the NordStream pipeline from Canada’s sanctions regime against Russia enacted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Minister’s exemption was cancelled following the commencement of the Judicial Review application.
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Agent for class counsel in a class proceeding by residents, employees, and businesses in Ottawa against the Freedom Convoy organizers. Successfully obtained an ex parte Mareva order freezing donations made to Freedom Convoy organizers and preserving the funds for the benefit of Ottawa residents, employees, and businesses.
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Counsel for Canopy Growth Corporation in an insolvency of PharmHouse Inc., a cannabis greenhouse joint venture.
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Lacroix v Walmart Canada Corporation; Dussiaume v Walmart Canada Corporation
Counsel to Walmart in proposed class actions in Ontario and British Columbia relating to the manufacturing, supply and sale of Zantac Ranitidine. Successfully in having action dismissed.
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In the Matter of the Receivership of Xela Enterprises Ltd
Counsel to the court-appointed receiver in an application to recover a judgment debt from Xela Enterprises Ltd., the parent company to several subsidiaries located primarily in Central America and the Caribbean.
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Commercial List Users’ Committee - Member
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The Advocates' Society - Board of Directors (2024-present); Former Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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United Way Greater Toronto - Chair, 2024 Major Individual Giving Cabinet; Member, Women United
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International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
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Women's White Collar Defense Association
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Turnaround Management Association
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Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Moot - Former Coach, Osgoode Hall Law School
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Osgoode Hall Law School - Former Adjunct Professor
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Gale Cup Moot Committee - Past Chair
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The Law Foundation of Ontario - Member, Class Proceedings Committee
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The LCO’s Class Actions Final Report: The Defence Perspective
As has now been widely reported, the Law Commission of Ontario has released its final report on class actions which makes recommendations to improve the system of class actions in Ontario. Our colleagues, Brian Kolenda and Derek Knoke, commented on those that will be of interest to plaintiffs in their blog post here. We provide the defence counsel perspective here.
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The Rules of Evidence Still Apply in PMNOC Section 8 Cases
It’s no surprise to litigators that some courts tend to be relaxed with the rules of evidence in civil cases. In many contexts, courts are prepared to admit inadmissible hearsay evidence and simply address evidentiary concerns by noting that such evidence may be given less weight. That type of approach was often taken in cases under section 8 of the Patented Medicine (Notice of Compliance) Regulations.
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The weight of the corporate veil: It will be lifted with only the strongest tools
The "corporate veil" is an old and well-establish concept. Corporations are separate legal entities under the law and, generally, liability will not flow through the corporation and onto the owners and directors. This is why a corporate bankruptcy doesn't result in a flurry of debt collectors knocking on the door of every shareholder.
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Canadian Media Giants Sue OpenAI Over Alleged Copyright Violations in ChatGPT Training
ALM's Law.com International reports on Canada's biggest media outlets suing U.S.-based artificial intelligence organization OpenAI of infringing their copyright by unlawfully scraping news content to train products like ChatGPT. Monique Jilesen and Sana Halwani are mentioned as leading the team represending the news organizations.
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Lenczner Slaght Lawyers Recognized as Canada’s Leading Litigators
Following an in-depth peer review process across the legal profession, 21 Lenczner Slaght lawyers have been recognized in the 2024 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers guide for their extensive courtroom experience and subject-matter expertise.
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Lenczner Slaght Recognized as a Leading Litigation Firm in Legal 500 Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm has reaffirmed its Tier 1 ranking in Dispute Resolution in Legal 500 Canada.
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Chambers Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Deep Bench of Expert Litigators
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to advance their position in the latest edition of the world-renowned directory.
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Litigation Firm Lenczner Slaght Welcomes First Chief Client Officer
In this Law Times article, Gillian Scott is featured as Lenczner Slaght’s first Chief Client Officer, joining the firm’s management committee to oversee its client-focused business functions and drive strategic initiatives. The article notes that this follows the firm’s recent appointment of Claudia Bessant as Chief Operating Officer.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized as the Best Lawyers in Canada
In the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, Lenczner Slaght is proud to receive 168 total rankings, with 45 of our expert litigators recognized for their expertise across 25 practice areas.
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Monique Jilesen Elected to The Advocates’ Society’s Board of Directors
We are pleased to announce that our Managing Partner and expert litigator, Monique Jilesen, has been elected to serve on The Advocates’ Society’s Board of Directors for the 2024-2028 term.
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Monique Jilesen to Lead United Way Greater Toronto’s 2024 Major Individual Giving Cabinet
A long-time champion of the United Way, Monique Jilesen has increasingly dedicated her time, resources, and influence to support the organization over the past 25 years, particularly its programs empowering and supporting women and children. Monique is honoured to lead this year’s Major Individual Giving Cabinet as Chair.
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The 2024 Lexpert Directory Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence
Lenczner Slaght’s litigators continue to be recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Chambers Global Recognizes Lenczner Slaght for the 22nd Consecutive Year
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators are increasingly recognized in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers Global.
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Monique Jilesen was invited to present at The Advocates' Society's Fall Convention. Monique participated on the panel discussion, Things You Were Afraid to Say.
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Monique Jilesen was invited to share her expertise at The Advocates' Society's annual program on Evidence for Litigators. Monique participated on the panel Arguing Hearsay Exceptions and Other Objections.
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Monique Jilesen and Brian Kolenda shared their expertise at The Advocates' Society's annual program on Class Actions Advocacy, co-chaired by Jonathan Chen. The program offered the latest developments, comparative legislation, and multi-jurisdictional challenges in class actions. Monique presented on "Cross Examination of Experts: Advanced Skills," while Brian presented on "Lightning Round: Case Law Updates in Class Actions Litigation".
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Developing Personal Style; The Judges Weigh In
Monique Jilesen presented at The Advocates' Society's program Cross-Examination: Building Block Series Block Two: Conducting an Effective Cross. Monique discussed how she developed her personal style for cross-examinations and how you can too.
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10th Annual Professionalism Issues for Business Lawyers
Monique Jilesen was invited to share her expertise at the OBA's 10th Annual Professionalism Issues for Business Lawyers program. Monique will discuss "Issues of Good Faith and Mistakes in Contractual Negotiations".
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Arbitration Place Invitational Pre-Moot
Monique Jilesen was invited to share her expertise at the Arbitration Place Invitational Pre-Moot for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.
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Monique Jilesen was invited to present at the OBA's Young Lawyers Division program Your First Civil Trial. She shared her expertise on the panel "Introducing Evidence at Trial." Monique discussed how to introduce exhibits, including during remote proceedings, ethical issues and professional responsibilities, issues of admissibility, considerations for expert evidence, and the strategic use of objections.
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The Yunusov Question: A Conversation with Monique Jilesen
Featured on The Yunusov Question Podcast, Monique Jilesen talks about her path to law, her litigation practice, her day-to-day as Managing Partner, and everything in between.
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The Fearless Advocate: Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues
Monique Jilesen was invited to present at The Advocates' Society's program titled "The Fearless Advocate: Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues". Monique will speak on the panel Best Practices for Handling Media, New and Old.
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Rethinking the Rules of Civil Evidence
In the March 2022 edition of The Advocates' Journal, Monique Jilesen and Jessica Kras provided a practical refresher on the evidentiary principles that govern the use and admissibility of documents to refresh a witness’s memory.
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Toronto Life’s Top 50 Most Influential (2023)
Canada's Top Litigator
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Douglas K. Laidlaw Medal for Excellence in Advocacy (2017)
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International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2017)
Fellow
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Chambers Canada (2019-2025)
Litigation: General Commercial (Ontario)
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2014-2024)
Class Actions, Insolvency & Financial Restructuring, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability, Litigation - Securities
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Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (2016-2024)
Corporate Commercial Litigation
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2014-2024)
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada (2013-2019)
Dispute Resolution, Corporate Commercial Litigation, Litigation Lawyer to Watch (2013)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Technology Lawyers (2021)
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Lexpert Zenith Award (2018)
Mid-Career Excellence in Corporate Commercial Litigation
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