How Al Meghji became one of Canada’s most trusted tax litigators – Canadian Lawyer How Al Meghji became one of Canada’s most trusted tax litigators – Canadian Lawyer

While it is quite common for Osler’s Tax partner Al Meghji to receive a favourable ruling in court, a recent cross-border decision marked a notable accomplishment for the distinguished litigator. Representing a Trinidadian subsidiary of a Canadian company on appeal, the case was heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. Al pursued this unexpected opportunity to represent his clients overseas when it arose, a reflection of his openness to take on new experiences.

“Everything that’s happened [in my career] has been about being open to experiences. I say that to the young lawyers: just be open to experiences, and you will have a great career, but you’ll also have an interesting life. And sometimes we forget that — that we have to enjoy what we do, and being open to those experiences is key to that,” says Al.

In taking on the opportunity to appear before the Privy Council, Al had to acquaint himself with its protocols, some of which differ from those of the Canadian courts.

Al says, “[i]t was great. I must confess, it was fun, but it was a big deal doing this because it was a client who had made a pretty radical choice not to continue with their local Trinidad counsel or to hire a British barrister — that they picked a Canadian lawyer to go there when that hadn’t happened in decades. I always felt that this client put a lot of trust in us, so we’d better show up.”

Read the full article published on June 10, 2025, by Carolyn Gruske on the Canadian Lawyer website.