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Standing out among Canada’s sought-after top litigation law firms requires a blend of creativity, courage, and commercial savvy – not to mention advocacy skills, legal expertise, and an unmatched understanding of their client’s business to deliver advice that hits the mark.
The leading litigation firms are at the forefront of an evolving legal landscape, challenging the limits of the law and often steering a client around a potential public relations fallout in certain high-stakes cases.
“Today’s litigation is not for the faint of heart, and the best of the best are those advocates who anticipate where the law is going and who are brave enough to push the law in the directions it should go, despite the risk,” says Erik S. Knutsen of Queen’s University Faculty of Law. “Creativity and knowing the power of the possible is key. They are on the bleeding edge of legal thinking.”
Canadian Lawyer’s seventh bi-annual Top Litigation Law Boutiques survey for 2024–25 assessed 93 firms based on feedback from lawyers, in-house counsel, and clients across Canada.
Only firms with a primary focus on litigation were considered. Rankings were determined through a points system and geographically segmented. Lexpert peer surveys, feedback from senior members of the bar, and considerations of regional diversity further enriched the quantitative results.
The final rankings recognize the Top 10 firms in Eastern Canada and the Top 5 in Western Canada.
A 2023 Thomson Reuters report that surveyed corporate clients on what they look for in their legal providers highlights the drivers propelling this year’s top litigation law firms to the leading edge.
Legal academics confirm that leading litigation firms employ top-tier lawyers with deep subject matter expertise. These firms are highly responsive and client-centric, excelling at resolving disputes efficiently, cost-effectively, and transparently.
“Leaders in Canadian litigation are those counsel who can provide strategic advice to clients to avoid litigation, but who are equally comfortable in the frays of any hearing, if need be,” Knutsen adds.
The demand for litigators underscores this focus on expertise and responsiveness. According to Statistics Canada, over 400,000 active civil court cases were resolved nationwide in FY 2022–23, with the majority in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
This high volume reflects the increasing complexity of litigation and the diversity of current and emerging areas of the litigation bar.
Hassan Ahmad, assistant professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, outlines the key areas:
bread-and-butter: litigation mainstays include basic contract disputes in construction, insurance, employment, real estate, and professional negligence
civil litigation: personal injury litigation and insurance disputes take the lion’s share
commercial: real estate disputes, professional negligence claims, bankruptcy, and insolvency are key aspects
emerging disputes: class action litigation around product liability, supply chain issues, and human rights concerns, where workers and communities are harmed by business practices, are on the rise; climate change disputes are arising, and issues around AI and the repercussions and consequences of AI technology, such as self-directed vehicles and drones are anticipated, although cases have not yet come forward
niche and rare areas: idiosyncratic constitutional disputes, such as people’s right to protest on issues around the division of powers, will also surface but are less common
Ahmad points out that AI and law firms’ increasing specialization is the catalyst for change in the legal profession. Despite this evolution, the attributes of a top litigation law boutique continue to reflect a mix of strong advocacy skills and softer skills.
“A leading litigation firm must have top-notch lawyers with strong subject matter expertise and people who are strong on their feet as well as in writing,” he says. “It’s really about being attuned to what clients need in this day and age and resolving disputes efficiently in a cost-effective and transparent manner, that will not substantially affect a client’s business.”
The drivers of the top litigation law firm’s eight-time recognition have remained the same since its founding in 2006: its people and the quality of their work.
From its home base in Vancouver, BC, Hunter Litigation Chambers has built a formidable reputation for excellence in court and mentoring the next generation of top-tier litigation counsel.
The firm’s success is bolstered by the wisdom and mentorship of three esteemed appellate judges, including the firm’s founder, John Hunter, KC, who recently returned after retiring from the BC Court of Appeal; retired BC Court of Appeal judge Martin Taylor; KC, and Russell Brown, now retired from the Supreme Court of Canada.
“They provide invaluable advice to clients, participate in arbitrations and mediations, and serve an important role in developing the next generation of litigation counsel and enhancing our appellate expertise,” says partner Claire E. Hunter, KC.
Hunter Litigation Chambers’ legal team appears regularly in court on diverse and interesting matters, including in recent times:
representing the province of BC in a lengthy constitutional trial relating to Section 23
obtaining and executing an Anton Piller order to preserve trade secrets
making submissions before a professional regulator
drafting an argument opposing the certification of a proposed class action
working on a BC Court of Appeal factum relating to the relationship between the BC Human Rights Tribunal and BC’s child protection scheme
The firm embraces technology, led largely by its junior lawyers who are instrumental in ensuring they are at the forefront of advancements.
“In BC, the trend in the use of technology is that the courts are becoming more open to its use in the courtroom,” says Hunter. “As that’s happened, our lawyers are leaders in using available technological tools, such as conducting trials and appeals electronically, and working with electronic documents and visual aids to enhance presentations and submissions, where appropriate.”
With a strong emphasis on mentorship and developing the next generation of litigation lawyers, the firm’s approach to recruiting and retaining the best and brightest ensures it continues exceeding client expectations across its diverse practice areas. Its legal team also builds close, direct relationships with clients, allowing for litigation strategies demonstrating an understanding of their business and aligning with their broader objectives.
This approach contributes significantly to a low turnover, illustrated by its dedication to:
identifying and meeting with candidates for second-year, summer, articling, and post-clerkship positions
hiring candidates with strong academic credentials and unique backgrounds who fit well with its collegial, close-knit team
encouraging younger lawyers to take on their own matters on a pro bono or reduced-fee basis and get involved in professional activities such as writing and teaching
“Our senior counsel are fully committed to supporting our team, like a teaching hospital model, ensuring our young lawyers get opportunities to build their counsel skills while developing their successful practices,” adds Hunter. “We’re not a large firm, but we encourage our junior lawyers, in particular, to get out there and be engaged in the profession and the community.”
Repeatedly recognized as a top litigation law firm, Stockwoods has maintained its leading status with a creative, strategic, and client-centred approach. The firm invests significant time in understanding its clients’ needs and leverages its litigation and advocacy expertise to help achieve those goals.
“We keep this in mind with every file, which has led to long-term relationships with many clients,” says partner Andrea Gonsalves. “It’s also something that’s recognized by peer lawyers outside the firm who refer clients to us because they know we’re committed to excellence.”
Stockwoods upholds the highest standards of legal practice and professionalism, earning client loyalty across its extensive civil litigation practice. Gonsalves has observed several emerging trends in litigation, notably that clients increasingly demand high-quality legal services and representation cost-effectively.
To address these developments, the legal team has implemented several strategies:
seeking ways to achieve clients’ objectives without resorting to the courts for contested motions, which sometimes involves a collaborative approach and exploring alternative forms of dispute resolution, particularly given the delays in obtaining court dates for certain matters
integrating newly available technologies to drive costs down, which clients expect
deploying more junior lawyers who are performing well above their years of experience
“Part of providing effective, high-quality legal services is having bench strength to provide quality legal representation at efficient rates that our clients are looking for,” Gonsalves adds.
Stockwoods’ enduring slogan, "Smart litigation," captures the philosophy that guides its commitment to providing legally sound and commercially practical advice tailored to clients’ needs.
The firm achieves this by being at the cutting edge of all legal developments, with its legal team serving on committees, writing and speaking at conferences, and being actively involved in other professional activities.
“Clients come to us, as litigators, with problems that need solving,” she explains. “While the law must inform the advice we give, clients are more interested in getting a solution, and that’s where our strategic vision comes in.”
Attracting and retaining top talent is accomplished by empowering junior lawyers with responsibility from the start and fostering mentorship, recognition, and opportunities for professional growth.
Like other top litigation boutiques, the firm leverages AI where it makes sense, though its application varies among lawyers. Other platforms, such as e-discovery, have helped reduce costly lawyer time. The firm emphasizes the importance of agility in learning new technologies, driving efficiency, and sharing knowledge.
After opening its doors in February 2024, recognition has come early as one of Canada’s top litigation law firms.
Founded by partners Andrew Lundy, Zohar Levy, Eni Eski, and Eric Baum, the firm set out to deliver exceptional client service and legal expertise. Creating an inclusive and authentic environment that fosters top-tier work across diverse practice areas and nurtures young lawyers to build successful careers was paramount.
“We were all at an inflection point, considering what to do next,” says Levy. “We want to be a place where people want to work, which means we genuinely care about each other.”
Delivering for their clients involves a multifaceted strategy that prioritizes:
knowing clients and understanding their needs
awareness of the legal team’s subject matter expertise and professional strengths
collaborating when appropriate
training associates to view law as a business and a service
“We are all smart people who work hard and take the law very seriously, and we care about getting it right,” shares Levy.
In its first seven months of operating, Lundy Levy Eski Baum boasts a 100 percent retention rate of its associates. That is attributed, in part, to fostering staff’s interests and providing them with straightforward and honest feedback to reach their full potential, along with a clear path to partnership. In a short time, the firm has distinguished itself because:
partners are recognized leaders in their fields
all lawyers share a commitment to client service, including a 24-hour responsiveness standard
innovative approaches, including its associate training program
The team is enormously proud of its novel strategy to train associates, which involves partnerships with sister firms specializing in tax, employment, construction, and regulatory law. Associates and partners attend monthly sessions, providing advantages that bolster the firm’s legal excellence.
“We’ve designed our own curriculum, so we’re giving our associates the practical benefit of the training, we are getting good practice tips from the sessions, and the associates are building their network and connections,” Levy adds. “This is a great example of the creativity and innovation you can bring to bear when it’s your shop.”
Levy notes that there’s been an increasing shift of high-quality work to boutique litigation firms, driven by their ability to offer first-rate service and value. She notes that clients have become more sophisticated and demanding, with higher expectations for responsiveness and expertise. Flexibility in fee structures is also gaining popularity, as clients prefer flat or capped fees, something smaller firms can handle more nimbly.
“A trend I think is significant is the emerging awareness of mental health and the mental health toll that more traditional law models tend to put on people,” she says. “There’s a general sense and understanding that it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Canadian Lawyer’s seventh bi-annual Top Litigation Boutiques survey asked lawyers, in-house counsel, and clients across the country to select the litigation firms that represented the best in class in 2024.
To be considered in the vote, firms were required to have the majority of their business come from litigation work. The final rankings were determined through a points system in which firms were rewarded on a sliding scale for the number of votes by ranking. The winners were categorized by geography, including the Top 10 in Eastern Canada and the Top 5 in Western Canada.
The quantitative results were combined with the Lexpert peer survey results, where applicable, along with feedback from respected senior members of the bar and regional diversity considerations.