Tommy Gelbman

Tommy Gelbman

Tommy’s practice is focused on complex, business critical corporate and commercial disputes in a range of industries, including natural resources, financial services, franchising, and social media.

Tommy has extensive experience in judicial review and appeals of government decision making, civil fraud, class action defence, dispute resolution, and disputes arising from M&A transactions, joint ventures and other complex commercial arrangements. He is a trusted advisor to several significant natural resource development clients in managing their potential dispute risks. Tommy regularly argues cases in jurisdictions across Canada, in provincial superior courts and the federal courts system.

He has a proven track record of understanding and advancing clients’ corporate interests with a strategic and persistent focus on achieving their objectives, whether in the courts or by way of negotiated resolution. Tommy always manages files with a view to ensuring efficient and cost-effective resolutions to disputes, often under alternative fee arrangements. He skillfully assembles integrated legal teams, often drawing from across Osler’s offices, to ensure proper resources are dedicated to the dispute.

Tommy supports Osler’s community involvement activities by sitting as a member of the firm’s Community Law Committee, regularly taking on pro bono files, and volunteering as Civil Claims Duty Counsel at the Alberta Court of the King’s Bench.


Awards and Recognition

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Franchise Law – Franchisor
  • Benchmark Litigation Canada: Recognized in Construction; Dispute Resolution; Securities; Environmental; Commercial; Oil and Gas; Energy (Litigation Star)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Appellate Practice

Community Involvement

  • Member of Osler’s Pro Bono Committee
  • Civil Claims Duty Counsel, regular volunteer to assist individuals with limited means with civil litigation matters.
  • Represented an individual in a dispute with Alberta Health Services regarding the inappropriate use of personal medical information. Represented the Canadian Civil Liberties Association as an intervenor in the appeal of Pridgen v. University of Calgary. Pridgen v. University of Calgary, 2012 ABCA 139.
  • Represented an individual in his capacity as Administrator Ad Litem of his deceased daughter’s estate in a leave to appeal application to the Supreme Court of Canada arising from a breach of fiduciary duty claim.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Ottawa, LL.L.
  • University of Ottawa, LL.B.
  • Trinity College, Dublin, M. Phil.
  • University of Western Ontario, B.A.

Languages

  • English

Professional Affiliations

  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Canadian Bar Association