Shawn is an experienced commercial litigator who focuses on delivering value to Osler’s clients in their high-stakes business disputes. Recognized for being practical and innovative, Shawn goes the extra mile to know his clients’ businesses. Whether acting on a complex multi-jurisdictional class action, a contested dispute over the dissolution of a private company, or the restructuring of an insolvent company, Shawn tirelessly advocates for those he represents while remaining committed to obtaining the best practical results for them.
Shawn acts predominately for corporate, banking and other financial sector clients, and has significant expertise in the insolvency and restructuring and private equity and investment fund space. He regularly represents clients in securities, commercial and insolvency proceedings, as well as in investigations and enforcement proceedings involving various securities regulators. Some of Shawn’s recent non-confidential mandates have included defending Manulife Financial in several multi-jurisdictional class actions; representing Corus Entertainment in its successful response to an OSC application; successfully defending a shareholder rights plan; successfully resisting an oppression remedy claim; and defending Royal Bank of Canada in a class action brought by retail investors following the collapse of a major offshore investment fund. Shawn has also acted as debtor counsel in numerous CCAA proceedings, including CanWest, Target Canada, Sears Canada, Phoenix Brands, Hollander Sleep Products, Wayland Group, SFP Canada d/b/a Papyrus, Brooks Brothers, and Just Energy. He has also acted in several contested receivership proceedings.
Personally invested in identifying innovative solutions for clients, Shawn is the past Chair of Osler Works – Delivery and current member of Osler’s Innovation Council, where he works to drive efficiencies, predictability and lower costs for clients. Shawn has supported the development and execution of Osler’s adoption of cutting-edge technology in the legal space, including AI, service delivery improvements, and the broad and creative use of AFAs.
Shawn was named a “Rising Star” by Lexpert magazine in 2014, a “Litigation Lawyer to Watch” in 2015, a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation, and has been recognized in the area of Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers in Canada between 2017- 2021.