We are very pleased to make several announcements about Soloway Wright teams and services. Over the last few months, we have made new hires and launched a new investigative service to be prepared to meet the changing needs of our Ottawa and Kingston clients. We are also very proud of our partners who have been recognized as some of the best lawyers in Ottawa.
The past few years have brought forward many changes that have long-term consequences for our clients. Rising housing demand and house prices means they need experienced real estate lawyers who can navigate rapid-fire real estate transactions. A welcome shift toward inclusivity, diversity and tolerance means they need sound corporate legal advice. Active and independent seniors who are now more likely to stay home need sound advice for wills and estate planning.
And, of course, the pandemic has completely changed work and life, so our clients need advice on employment and labour law issues such as temporary layoffs, post-COVID work-from-home policies, and employee vaccination mandates.
In response to these changes, Soloway Wright has added an Employment Law Workplace Investigations service to help organizations navigate what can often be a disruptive process that results in serious internal consequences.
Veteran litigator Christopher Edwards, who joined Soloway Wright LLP in July, will lead the firm’s new Workplace Investigations practice. As a prominent investigator, he is regularly retained by hospitals, broader sector employers, large public utilities and major automotive manufacturers. He will spearhead carrying out complex investigations and by guiding organizations in the investigation process.
New Hires
At Soloway Wright, we remain committed to providing superior legal services to all our clients during these challenging times. This means adding new skilled lawyers to our team who practice Real Estate Law, Commercial Litigation, Condominium Law, Employment, Labour & Public Law, Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law.
We are proud to welcome Michael McDonald and Charlene Kavanagh to Soloway Wright LLP:
Michael McDonald joins the Soloway Wright Real Estate & Development Group as an associate. His practice focuses on the acquisition, financing and sale of commercial real estate, with an emphasis on residential development. Michael’s practical and level-headed approach to his clients’ problems promotes efficient and timely solutions.
Charlene Kavanagh, whose legal career began twenty years ago, joins as a senior associate. Charlene’s litigation practice encompasses insurance law, employment law, construction law, condominium law, personal injury, professional negligence, and commercial litigation. Her focus is on delivering the best results for her clients in a professional and cost-effective manner.
“Lawyer of the Year” & Many Recognized Best Lawyers
We work tirelessly for our clients, and we put their urgent needs first. Receiving recognition for this work is a secondary but welcome reward for our work that makes us proud members of a community. This year, one of our own has been recognized for her hard work:
Congratulations to Sybil Johnson-Abbott, who was named by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” for 2022 in Ottawa for Real Estate Law! Sybil, who practices Commercial Leasing and Real Estate & Development in Ottawa, brings to Soloway Wright extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions, conveyancing, and financing matters.
Several of our partners and lawyers have also been recognized by Best Lawyers in a variety of practice areas for 2022. They include:
André Ducasse, who joined Soloway Wright in 2015, in Corporate and Commercial Litigation. He has appeared at all levels of the Ontario court as well as for several tribunals and boards. regularly represents financial institutions including chartered banks and trust companies, insurance companies and bankruptcy trustee firms
Bernard G. Roach in Corporate and Commercial Litigation. He specializes in corporate finance and tax issues connected to private corporations and on estate planning issues.
Brian Roach in Real Estate Law who specializes in mortgage remedy work, secured financings, commercial and residential purchase and sale transactions, not-for-profit transactions and land development.
Christopher J. Edwards, in Labour and Employment Law, who joined Soloway Wright after two decades appearing at all levels of Courts in Ontario including the Ontario Court of Appeal and federally at the Federal Court of Appeal.
Douglas B. Kelly, who has represented numerous major builders and developers in the Ottawa-Eastern Ontario Region, is recognized by Best Lawyers in Environmental Law and Real Estate Law. Doug is a member of the Ontario Expropriation Association and has been appointed by the Minister of Justice as a Hearing Inquiry Officer.
And Tara Sweeney, one of our senior litigation partners, who has been with Soloway Wright since 2000, has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Medical Negligence and Insurance Law since 2019. In 2021, Tara was recognized as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in Ottawa for Professional Malpractice Law as a consequence of her expertise in this area.