Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Toronto (2011) JD (Honours)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (2006) MSc in International relations (Merit)
- University of British Columbia (2005) BA Political Science with International Relations (Honours)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Christopher Yung
is a partner at Lenczner Slaght.
Chris’ practice focuses on commercial litigation, arbitration, insolvency and restructuring, and securities litigation. He regularly acts for corporations (both public and closely held private companies), and their directors, officers, and shareholders.
Chris has extensive experience representing clients in contract disputes, corporate governance, oppression and shareholder litigation, securities law matters and proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of Court in Ontario, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, as well as administrative tribunals and regulators, and in private and international arbitrations.
Prior to joining Lenczner Slaght, Chris practiced with a leading international Canadian firm as a corporate transactional lawyer in Toronto and London, UK, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general corporate commercial matters.
Chris graduated with honours from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, in 2011, receiving a course prize in Canadian income tax law, and studying a term abroad at the University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law.
Prior to attending law school Chris completed a masters in international relations at the London School of Economics, worked at NATO headquarters in Brussels, and at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa.
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Counsel to the former CFO of a TSX listed financial corporation in relation to a CPAO disciplinary proceeding.
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Counsel to a former general counsel of a Bermudian corporation in an Ontario proceeding.
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Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario v Pace Savings & Credit
Counsel to the board of directors of a credit union placed under administration proceedings by a regulator.
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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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Counsel to former CEO and director for breach of employment agreement, and defence to counterclaim alleging unauthorised transactions.
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Counsel to an insurer in a D&O liability claim against an officer in the context of financial fraud.
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Counsel to investor in arbitration regarding oppression and dissent claims.
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Internal investigation into allegations of harassment, discrimination, and self-dealing made by former general counsel of an organization against its senior leadership.
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GCT Canada Limited Partnership v Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Attorney General of Canada
Counsel to Global Container Terminals in a judicial review of a decision of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority refusing to consider Global Container Terminal’s proposed port expansion project.
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Galway Gold Inc v Republic of Colombia
Counsel to Galway Gold Inc in an investor-state arbitration against the Republic of Columbia before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
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The Advocates' Society - Secretary of the Securities Litigation Practice Group
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers
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University of Toronto Faculty of Law - Alumni Mentorship Program
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Tariff Tensions: Assessing Your Cross-Border Contract Risk
President Donald Trump proclaimed April 2 “Liberation Day” and unveiled a new trade policy for worldwide “reciprocal tariffs”. Initial reactions were that Canada (and Mexico) emerged relatively better off in that they would continue to benefit from a 0% tariff on goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the scope of such exceptions is itself an uncertainty, as the USMCA is up for a review in 2026 and may well be renegotiated sooner than that. In the meantime, Canada still faces the 25% tariff on steel and aluminum which came into effect on March 12, and most importantly a 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts which comes into effect today.
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Funding Corporate Governance Litigation with the Company Coffers
On December 2, 2024 a Delaware judge upheld her prior January 2024 ruling that Elon Musk’s compensation package, valued at $55.8 billion, had to be rescinded because it was approved in breach of the directors’ fiduciary duties (Tornetta v Musk). One month later, the same Delaware judge approved a settlement wherein Tesla’s directors agreed to return or forgo $919 million in compensation, which had been subject to a separate legal complaint by the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit (Police & Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit v Musk). The two cases were brought as derivative actions on behalf of shareholders of Tesla. The former action is now subject to an appeal brought by Tesla, but also an appeal by a separate group of Florida shareholders.
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Live and Let Dye – Litigation Maneuvers Prior to a Shareholder Vote
Christopher Yung authored the blog Live and Let Dye – Litigation Maneuvers Prior to a Shareholder Vote, published on commerciallist.com.
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The complexity of regulating environmental impacts in Canada has proven to be a thorny issue on both constitutional and practical fronts. On the heels of 2021’s carbon pricing decision, the Supreme Court of Canada has again weighed in on how the division of powers can impact environmental regulation. This time, the Court considered the federal environmental assessment regime, ultimately finding that the federal legislation waded too far into provincial waters.
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Tips from Toronto’s Business Court – Takeaways from CLUC Education Day 2023
The Commercial List Users’ Committee (CLUC) held its annual Education Day on June 7. The annual event offers an opportunity for members of the bar to gather with the Judges of the Commercial List to discuss current issues and best practices.
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Challenges in Spotting Material Changes
The philosopher Heraclitus observed that “the only constant in life is change”, a maxim as true for the business world as the natural world. Publicly traded companies operate in a dynamic environment, where commodity prices swing, new laws are passed, and scientific breakthroughs are made. So long as those companies wish to maintain their access to public markets, they must carefully consider how day-to-day happenings (and their own reactions to those events) affect their continuous disclosure obligations. These disclosure judgements are fact-specific and often fast-paced, yet they carry potentially significant consequences.
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Annual Review of Insolvency Law Virtual Conference: 2022
On February 4, 2022, CAIRP held its 19th Annual Review of Insolvency Law. The conference brought together insolvency law practitioners from across Canada for a showcase of papers authored for the latest edition of the Annual Review of Insolvency Law publication. The journal itself is now available in full on CanLII. Each panel was anchored by an ARIL paper whose author(s) led spirited discussions on contested topics important to the future of the insolvency practice.
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There’s No Business Like Show Business: Cineplex Awarded $1.24 Billion in Busted Deal Lawsuit
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a buyer of any business, particularly a theater operation heavily affected by public health restrictions, might understandably ask themselves; “Can I walk away from the deal?”
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Creditor Democracy - The Supreme Court’s Reasons in Callidus
In Back to Methuselah, George Bernard Shaw famously wrote that an election was “as bad as a battle except for the blood”. That is perhaps dramatic in the context of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”), but certainly a creditor vote can be a tense and contested affair. Such was the case when Callidus Capital Corp (“Callidus”), an asset-based or “distressed lender” and secured creditor, made a “second kick at the can” to approve a plan of arrangement already rejected by unsecured creditors, and found itself barred from voting on the plan for having acted for an “improper purpose”.
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Think before you tweet: Social Media and Securities Law
In September 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged Elon Musk, the former Chairman of Tesla, Inc., with securities fraud. A series of Tweets on Musk’s personal page, the first of which read: “Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured”, caused share prices to instantly soar. In reality, the potential transaction was uncertain and subject to a number of contingencies. Market confusion and disruption ensued.
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2025 Lexpert Directory Highlights Lenczner Slaght’s Excellence in Advocacy
Peers and senior members of the legal profession across the country continue to recognize the depth and breadth of Canada’s leading litigation firm in the latest 2025 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Elected to The Advocates’ Society’s Leadership
We are pleased to announce that Sahar Talebi, Aoife Quinn, Aaron Grossman, Christopher Yung, Paul-Erik Veel, and Andrew Parley will be serving prominent leadership positions at The Advocates’ Society, a preeminent organization dedicated to promoting effective advocacy and access to justice.
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Insolvency & Restructuring in Canada
Interviewed by Lexpert, our expert litigator, Christopher Yung, provides an overview on the two insolvency and restructuring statutes in Canada, how they differ, and what it means for businesses.
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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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Lenczner Slaght Litigators to Serve on The Advocates’ Society’s Leadership
We are pleased to announce that Christopher Yung, Paul-Erik Veel, Andrew Parley, Anne Posno, Lidiya Yermakova, and Brendan Morrison will be serving prominent executive and committee positions at The Advocates’ Society, a preeminent organization dedicated to promoting effective advocacy and access to justice.
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Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Excellence Recognized in 2023 Lexpert Directory
Following comprehensive peer review surveys and interviews with senior members in the legal profession, the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 31 of the firm’s expert litigators for their experience, knowledge, and precision, with 108 rankings spanning 17 practice areas.
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Lenczner Slaght Stands Out as a “Litigation Powerhouse” in Legal 500 Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm is once again ranked in Tier 1 for Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 Canada.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Elected to The Advocates’ Society’s Leadership
We are pleased to announce that Brendan Morrison, Christopher Yung, Paul-Erik Veel, Andrew Parley, Nina Bombier, and Anne Posno will be serving prominent executive positions at The Advocates’ Society, a preeminent organization dedicated to promoting effective advocacy and access to justice.
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Lenczner Slaght Welcomes Two New Partners
Canada’s leading litigation firm is proud to announce that two of our exceptionally strong advocates have been promoted to our partnership. Congratulations, Christopher Yung and Delna Contractor!
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Legal 500 Highlights Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Dominance
Legal 500 recognizes Canada’s leading litigation firm as “a regular fixture in the country’s ground-breaking contentious cases”.
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15th Annual Securities Symposium
Christopher Yung was invited to co-chair The Advocates' Society's program titled, 15th Annual Securities Symposium. Christopher will lead a discussion on the latest trends and topics in securities litigation, with a focus on evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.
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Litigator vs Transactional Lawyer
Christopher Yung and Jennah Khaled spoke at a joint event hosted by the University of Toronto’s Black Law Students’ Association and South Asian Law Students’ Association, where they shared valuable insights on the key differences between careers in litigation and transactional law.
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Annual Review of Insolvency Law Conference
Christopher Yung was invited to share his expertise at the 22nd Annual Review of Insolvency Law Conference. Chris was a panelist on the session, Creating a Baseline: The Role of Stalking Horse Bids and Break Fees in Asset Maximization. The session examined how stalking horse bids in CCAA proceedings can create stability and set a baseline for competitive bids, while also exploring the complex role of break fees. Christopher discussed the impact of break fees on maximizing debtor assets, comparing Canadian and U.S. perspectives on fee standards and the unique challenges presented by credit bids.
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2024 Snapshot: Through the Lens of Lenczner Slaght
Lenczner Slaght launches our 2024 Snapshot, which highlights the most significant developments, decisions, and trends in litigation from the past year across 20 areas of expertise. Reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025 through the lens of our expert litigators.
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Securities Litigation from A to Z
Christopher Yung was invited to present at The Advocates' Society's program, Securities Litigation from A to Z. Christopher shared his knowledge and expertise on conducting securities issue-spotting exercises. Attendees gained insight into identifying and effectively addressing various securities law issues that may surface within their cases.
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2023 Snapshot: Through the Lens of Lenczner Slaght
Lenczner Slaght launches our 2023 Snapshot, a look at the most significant developments, decisions, business takeaways, and trends in litigation from the last year, across 15 practice areas. Revisit 2023 and look ahead to 2024 through the lens of our expert litigators.
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Paycheck to Paycheck: Employees in an Employer's Insolvency
Published by Lexpert, Christopher Yung authored an article on issues related to employees when a company begins bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
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12th Annual Securities Symposium
Christopher Yung was Program Chair of The Advocates' Society's 12th Annual Securities Symposium. The program included discussion on Ontario’s securities law modernization efforts, key decisions impacting securities litigation, high profile enforcement proceedings and much more.
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Techs and Balances: The Future of Online Shareholder Meetings in the Post-Pandemic Corporate World
Christopher Yung authored the Lexpert article "Techs and Balances: The Future of Online Shareholder Meetings in the Post-Pandemic Corporate World". In this article, Chris analyzes the impact and future of online annual general meetings in corporate Canada.
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Shutting Off the Tap: When Can (and Should) Suppliers Seek to Cut Off Post-Filing Supply?
Brian Kolenda and Christopher Yung co-authored the article "Shutting Off the Tap: When Can (and Should) Suppliers Seek to Cut Off Post-Filing Supply?", published in the 19th Annual Review of Insolvency Law.
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2023-2025)
Commercial Arbitration, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Securities
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The Legal 500 Canada (2023)
Dispute Resolution (Recommended Lawyer), Insolvency & Restructuring (Recommended Lawyer)
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The Legal 500 Canada (2021-2022)
Dispute Resolution (Rising Star)
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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Prize in Taxation (2009)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers (2024)
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Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (2010)
Third place oralist, Canadian rounds.