Expertise
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Practice Areas:
Bar Admissions:
Education:
- University of Toronto (2003) JD (Honours)
- McGill University (2000) BA (First Class Honours)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Shara N. Roy
"Shara Roy is an exceptional litigator. She is tough and aggressive, but always civil and a pleasure to work with. She understands and is able to manage difficult and complicated cases." — Chambers Canada
Recently recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, Shara is a tough-minded commercial litigator. Shara’s expertise is in complex commercial litigation. Her areas of practice include commercial disputes, securities litigation, professional liability, restructuring & insolvency, and class actions. Shara’s clients include financial institutions, underwriters, accounting firms and publicly-traded companies facing bet-the-company litigation. She also represents individuals facing complex legal issues.
Shara appears before all levels of Court in Canada as well as administrative and regulatory tribunals, including the Ontario Securities Commission. Shara is a member of the Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee, advising the OSC on issues affecting its tribunal proceedings. Shara is a Member-at-Large of the Advocates Society Securities Litigation Practice Group and is an instructor at the Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop through Osgoode Professional Development. Shara is a regular presenter on advocacy, commercial litigation and securities.
In the community, Shara is a member of the Steering Committee for Malachy's Soiree in support of the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit of St. Michael's Hospital and sits on the Engagement Committee of United Way Toronto’s Women United. Shara is a committed advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, leading Lenczner Slaght’s ground-breaking name-anonymization hiring process. Shara co-established and heads the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee at the Commercial List Users Committee for the Commercial Court in Toronto.
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Orefinders Resources Inc. v Mistango River Resources Inc.
Counsel to the successful minority dissident corporate shareholder in various court applications involving a contested proxy battle.
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In the Matter of Benedict Cheng et al
Counsel to the respondent in Ontario Securities Commission proceedings alleging tipping in an insider trading matter. The proceedings were resolved by way of settlement.
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Counsel to the underwriters in connection with a securities class action and CCAA proceedings relating to Poseidon Concepts. The class proceeding was resolved in the context of the CCAA process.
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Counsel to a series of companies in proceedings involving a receivership over commercial real estate developments and efforts to recover $110 million in funds improperly diverted. The matter involved dozens of contested motions and several appeals on a variety of commercial, real estate issue and construction law issues, including at the Supreme Court of Canada on the issue of “knowing assistance” by corporate actors.
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In The Matter of Katanga Mining Limited
Counsel to Aristotelis Mistakidis in Ontario Securities Commission proceedings in respect of disclosure allegations related to Katanga Mining Limited, a Canadian publicly traded company, with copper assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The proceedings were resolved by way of settlement.
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Third Eye Capital v Dianor Resources Inc
Counsel to the applicant in bankruptcy proceedings and at the Court of Appeal for Ontario relating to a mining company. The Court of Appeal rendered a pivotal decision on jurisdiction of the Court to vest an interest in land off title as part of receiver proceedings; clarified the role and duties of the receiver; established the appeal period in joint BIA/CJA receiverships; and revisited the definition of an “interest land” in mining contracts.
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Counsel to Atos in a dispute respecting the termination of a subcontract for data conversion and software support. The matter was subject to numerous motions and proceeded to a five week trial before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where Atos was successful in recovering approximately $5.5 million in damages.
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Counsel for the defendant auditors of Sino-Forest Corporation in connection with a shareholder class action claiming damages in order of $9 billion on behalf of primary and secondary market purchasers and debt-holders. Successfully resolved proceeding and coordinated precedent setting settlement approval of a Canadian class action within the context of an ongoing CCAA proceeding. Counsel in appeals from settlement approval to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada, both of which were dismissed.
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Zaniewicz and Clarke v Zungui Haixi Corporation
Counsel for one of the defendants in a shareholder class action alleging that the defendant company's public offering prospectus and other disclosure documents contained untrue representations on a motion for an order certifying the action as a class proceeding for settlement purposes.
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Re Ernst &Young LLP (Sino-Forest and Zungui Haixi)
Counsel to the respondent auditor in two proceedings brought by the Ontario Securities Commission under the Securities Act resulting in the first no contest settlement under OSC Staff Notice 15-702: Revised Credit for Cooperation Program.
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The Advocates' Society - Secretary of the Securities Litigation Practice Group
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United Way's Women United - Member
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Women in Capital Markets
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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Toronto Lawyers Association
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Turnaround Management Association
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International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
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Women's White Collar Defense Association
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OSC Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee - Past Member
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In Third Eye v Dianor, the Court of Appeal for Ontario revitalized the law of vesting orders, confirming that a motion judge of the Superior Court of Justice has jurisdiction to extinguish interests in land in a receivership, and setting a new test for when that power should be exercised. The Court also clarified the precedence between the 10-day appeal period set out in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”) Rules, and the 30-day period prescribed through the Courts of Justice Act (“CJA”).
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It’s about time: Limitation Periods under the Ontario Securities Act
The past year has seen a flurry of interesting cases dealing with limitation periods. My colleagues and I have commented on them previously, including here and here. In Pennyfeather v Timminco Limited, the Court of Appeal for Ontario had the chance to weigh in on limitation periods under the Ontario Securities Act (“OSA”).
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Ontario Updates International Commercial Arbitration Act
Ontario’s new legislation governing international commercial arbitration, the International Commercial Arbitration Act, 2017, came into force on March 22, 2017, replacing the International Commercial Arbitration Act previously in place.
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Contracting Out: Court finds contract applies over Limitations Act
A recent decision of the Ontario Divisional Court upheld a contractually agreed-upon limitation period and enforced it against a third party, even in circumstances where it appeared to be at odds with the statutory provisions of the Limitations Act, 2002.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Elected to The Advocates’ Society’s Leadership
We are pleased to announce that Anne Posno, Nina Bombier and Shara Roy have been elected to prominent executive positions at The Advocates’ Society, a preeminent organization dedicated to promoting effective advocacy and access to justice. Peter J. Osborne, Brian Kolenda, and Chris Kinnear Hunter will also be continuing their terms in their leadership positions.
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How a new website directs referrals to women in law
Shara N. Roy and Sana Halwani were interviewed in Precedent Magazine's article How a new website directs referrals to women in law. Shara and Sana spoke aboout the origin of ReferToHer™ and how it has expanded since the launch in 2019.
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Lexpert Highlights Lenczner Slaght’s Professional Excellence
Lenczner Slaght’s litigators continue to be recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Liability claims that could arise from the pandemic
Shara N. Roy was interviewed for Canadian Underwriter's featured article Liability claims that could arise from the pandemic.
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The invisible woman: Women in Law Summit explores how to help women lawyers and partnership numbers
Shara Roy was interviewed for Canadian Lawyer Magazine's article The Invisible Woman.
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Updating Ontario’s Securities Act
Shara N. Roy was interviewed for the CBA/ABC National Magazine article Updating Ontario's Securities Act.
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Lenczner Slaght expands its referral network for female lawyers to corporate practice areas
Shara N. Roy and Sana Halwani are quoted in the Law Times article Lenczner Slaght expands its referral network for female lawyers to corporate practice areas.
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Lenczner Slaght’s Expert Litigators Ranked in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2019
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to be recognized for its exceptional litigation expertise.
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Lenczner Slaght’s 19th Year at the Centre of the Lexpert Bull’s-Eye
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to be recognized as the #1 firm in Toronto for Litigation and Commercial Litigation by the 2020 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.
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Lenczner Slaght’s R&R Lounge Receives Precedent Innovation Award
Precedent Magazine recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s R&R Lounge among the innovative people, projects and ideas that are actively improving the legal profession.
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Securities Litigation Perspectives: Canadian vs. U.S.
Shara N. Roy spoke at The Advocates' Society's securities litigation program on the latest trends and issues in securities litigation in both Canada and the United States.
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Monique Jilesen and Shara N. Roy shared their expertise at The Advocates' Society's civil litigation program "Motions Advocacy".
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Canadian Lawyer's Women in Law Summit
Shara Roy presented at Canadian Lawyer's Women in Law Summit on the panel discussion: Addressing unconscious bias and discrimination. The session explored practical steps for addressing bias within the legal industry.
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Toronto Mentoring Dinner Series
Shara N. Roy was invited to The Advocates' Society's Toronto Mentoring Dinner Series as a mentor on the session Built to Last. Shara shared her top tips on building your practice and your profile.
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Commercial Litigation Practice Group: Business Development for Women and Allies
Shara N. Roy was a panelist at The Advocates' Society's Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast on November 28. The panel explored important issues including business development initiatives for women, referrals to women, the sponsorship of women in the legal profession, and more.
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Shara Roy shared her expertise at the OBA's program Analyzing The Dianor Decision on November 14, 2019. As part of an expert faculty, Shara broke down the decision, analyzed the issues at hand and discussed its long term implications.
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Litigators
Shara N. Roy spoke at The Advocates' Society's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Litigators program on October 3, 2019. She will share her expert insight on the panel "Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Scenarios for Discussion."
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40th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop
Risa Kirshblum, Monique Jilesen, Shara Roy, and Dena Varah taught at Osgoode Professional Development's 40th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop on July 7-13, 2019.
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Inclusive Leader Series: Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms: Opportunities for Young Lawyers
As a leader in student recruitment and advancing D&I in the legal profession, Shara N. Roy has been asked to speak at the Canadian Bar Association's sold out Inclusive Leader Series event called “Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms: Opportunities for Young Lawyers”.
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Diversity and Inclusion in Law: Has Anything Changed a Year After "Black on Bay Street"?
Shara N. Roy spoke on the Young Women in Law panel Diversity & Inclusion in Law: Has Anything Changed a Year After "Black on Bay Street"? on November 28, 2018 at 6:00 PM. Discussions included what, if anything, has changed on Bay Street in regards to hiring trends and practices, workplace culture, and best practices in the law firm.
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Chambers Canada (2020)
Litigation: Securities (Ontario)
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Canadian Lawyer (2019)
Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers
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Lexpert Zenith Award (2019)
Change Agent in Law
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2016-2020)
Class Actions, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Securities
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Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (2020)
Corporate Commercial Litigation; Securities Litigation
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Lexpert/ROB Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2019)
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada (2017)
Litigation Lawyer to Watch
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2016-2020)
Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Securities
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Benchmark Canada (2018-2020)
Future Star
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The Legal 500 Canada (2018)
Dispute Resolution (Next Generation Lawyer)
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