Brian Gray, Jessica Harding
Nov 23, 2023
Congratulations to Brian Gray and Jessica Harding on being named 2023 Lexpert Rising Stars: Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40.
The Lexpert Rising Stars awards recognize private practice and in-house lawyers who are emerging leaders in the Canadian legal community. Winners are selected by a distinguished advisory board, which considers the contributions that nominees make to their firm, company or department, as well as to the profession and larger community.
"We are proud to have Brian and Jessica to be recognized as Lexpert Rising Stars,” says Doug Bryce, Osler’s National Managing Partner. “This achievement reflects their exceptional legal skills, passion, and commitment to delivering outstanding client service. Congratulations to Brian and Jessica on this well-deserved honor, and we look forward to their continued success as future leaders in the industry."
Brian Gray is Chair of Osler’s Private Equity practice in Toronto. He is known to be a leader in the industry, with a focus primarily on complex corporate and transactional matters, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. Brian has extensive experience advising on private equity and cross-border transactions, and frequently counsels clients on a variety of securities law, corporate governance and strategic matters.
Children and community are a focus of Brian’s pro bono work having provided legal advice to The Concerned Kids and a not-for-profit association of professional child therapists, the Canadian Association of Psychoanalytic Child Therapists. Brian is highly involved in Osler’s United Way drive, leading the fundraising effort for his cohort at the firm over the years. Brian is also the go-to lawyer for the City of Toronto’s Toronto Global program. This program is the investment attraction agency that supports the expansion of international businesses into the Toronto Region.
Jessica Harding is a partner in Osler’s Litigation group, practicing in the Montréal office. Jessica’s practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, including more particularly consumer class actions, product liability litigation, arbitration and international private law.
In addition to her deep dedication to her client work, Jessica is passionately committed to her community. Despite her busy schedule, she actively supports the work of various organizations – giving back is essential to who she is. Jessica is a strong advocate for the advancement of women’s rights. To that end, since 2018 she has been involved with the Women’s Y Foundation of Montréal, which supports the YWCA Montreal’s mission to build a better future for women, girls and their families. Jessica was elected as Secretary of the Board of Directors and is a member of the organizing committee of the Women of Distinction Awards, a coveted honour that recognizes the importance of women’s leadership and ambition in all spheres of the community.
Winners were announced at the Lexpert Rising Stars Awards ceremony in Toronto.
To learn more about these awards, visit the Lexpert website.