Alex is a commercial litigator. He has a broad-ranging practice with an emphasis on matters relating to securities and taxation. He advises issuers and shareholders in court proceedings involving shareholder remedies, corporate governance and corporate transactions.
Alex also acts for market participants in respect of investigations and proceedings before numerous securities regulatory authorities, and frequently acts for accountants and other professionals in both civil and professional discipline matters. Alex has an active tax litigation practice and acts for taxpayers in proceedings in the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal and various provincial courts. Alex has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as superior and appellate courts in other provinces.
He has also represented clients in matters before the Ontario Securities Commission, the Financial Services Tribunal and CIRO. He has served as the chair of the Tax Litigation practice group of the Advocates’ Society, and as a member of the Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee of the Ontario Securities Commission.
Areas of Expertise
Representative Work
- Fiera Foods Company
Fiera Foods in its successful appeal from a Canada Revenue Agency ITC reassessment
- Nortel Networks Corporation
Nortel Networks Corporation in its execution of global settlement and support agreement
Fiera Foods in its successful appeal from a Canada Revenue Agency ITC reassessment
Nortel Networks Corporation in its execution of global settlement and support agreement
- Charter challenge, under the equality guarantee (s. 15), of the Income Tax Act provisions barring refugee claimants and their children from the Canada Child Benefit
- Toronto-Dominion Bank in its appeal against the Canada Revenue Agency’s reassessment
- A large financial services company in respect of an ongoing, multifaceted, cross-border regulatory matter
- A large accounting firm – in respect of a series of interrelated matters arising from tax services
- A large accounting firm – in respect of a complex investigation by a professional regulatory body
Latest Insights
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Blog Mar 18, 2024
The stigma associated with crypto is largely unwarranted
A struggle to fit cryptocurrency into existing regulatory regimes has contributed to some public perception that crypto is disproportionately used in...
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Blog Feb 7, 2024
OSC settles allegations relating to cryptocurrency tokens
In a first, Ontario’s Capital Markets Tribunal has approved a settlement agreement related to the promotion and sale of cryptocurrency tokens....
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Osler Update Dec 11, 2023
Capital markets enforcement: innovative, and controversial, new directions
There were a number of intersecting trends in the capital markets regulatory and enforcement landscape in 2023. These trends can serve as a window...
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Blog Aug 15, 2023
Canadian securities regulators publish results of review of conflicts of interest practices
On August 3, 2023, Canadian securities regulators released the findings of their joint review of conflicts of interest practices at 172 investment...
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Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Litigation – Securities
—The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory -
Recognized in Corporate and Commercial Litigation
—Best Lawyers in Canada
Media Mentions
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Media Mentions Jun 2, 2022
How the investment industry can prepare for a rise in client complaints amid the market downturn – The Globe and Mail
Alexander Cobb, a litigation partner in Osler’s Toronto office speaks to the Globe and Mail about how financial advisors can prepare for an...
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Credentials
Education
- Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- The Advocates' Society
- Canadian Bar Association
