Lawyers

At RZCD we are fortunate enough to have some of Ontario’s most competent, skilled and successful lawyers working for and with us. A list of our partners, associates and counsel is below. To find out more about each lawyer and which areas they practise in, as well as their contact details, please click through to their individual biography.

Bonnie Franklin

Bonnie Franklin

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1988

Education:
Bonnie attended the University of Western Ontario for her undergraduate studies and graduated from law school at Western in 1986.

Experience:
In 1988 Bonnie was called to the bar and commenced her real estate practice in Mississauga.
She has contributed to the education of young lawyers through the real estate section at the Bar Association Course in Toronto and has conducted seminars for new real estate agents and first time home buyers.

Practice Areas:

  • Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law

For further assistance, please contact Bonnie directly at bfranklin@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext 279.

Alternatively, her law clerk Ann Charbon can be reached at acharbon@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext 289.

Bruce C. Robertson

Bruce C. Robertson

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1997

Education:
Bruce graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1996. Prior to law school, he studied Business Administration, English Literature and Mathematics.

Experience:

  • Bruce garnered 15 years of entrepreneurial and multi-national corporate experience prior to joining RZCD’s Mississauga Office in 1994 and becoming partner in 1998. He has represented clients before all levels of Ontario Courts, as well as many professional and administrative tribunals in addition to mediations, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution processes.

Practice Areas:

  • Business/Corporate Commercial Litigation
  • Civil Litigation
  • Estate Litigation

For further assistance, please contact Bruce directly at brobertson@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 239.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Kathleen McNeil can be reached at Kmcneil@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 237

Craig A. Lewis

Craig A. Lewis

Partner

Education:
Craig graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. (Honours) in 1988 and from Queen's University with his LL.B. in 1991.

Experience:
Prior to joining RZCD Craig was a principal partner in his own litigation boutique firm in Toronto for 12 years after starting his legal career on Bay Street. Craig has been a frequent speaker at seminars concerning employment advocacy matters and has litigated successfully at all levels of Court in the province. In 2011, Craig was the recipient of the Traditional Law Practice Award from the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. He is also a trained mediator.

Memberships:
Craig is a member of the Canadian Bar Association - Ontario, the Toronto Lawyers Association, The Advocates' Society, the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), the ADR Institute of Canada, Christian Legal Fellowship and Markland Wood Golf Club.

Practice Areas:

  • Labour and Employment Law: advice and counsel regarding the preparation of employment contracts, termination packages and wrongful dismissal claims. Creation, management and termination of the employment relationship. The disability management area - which addresses both the workplace and the employee.
  • Commercial Litigation: from collections to shareholder disputes for large national corporations and smaller closely-held corporations.
  • Family Law: separation agreements, divorce, property division
  • Craig’s mediation practice is focused on employment and commercial matters primarily. He offers his services as a mediator through Craig A. Lewis Professional Corporation.

For further assistance, please contact Craig directly at clewis@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 264.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Laura Whalen can be reached at lwhalen@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 238.

Constantine ‘Dean‘ Glinos

Constantine ‘Dean‘ Glinos

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1991 (Illinois) and 1998 (Ontario)

Education:
Dean holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois. After practising in Chicago for five years, Dean returned to Toronto and attached Osgoode Hall Law School.

Experience:
Dean has been licensed to practice law in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador and Illinois. He was part of the management team at several title insurance companies and supervised mortgage processing operations, legal compliance, underwriting, title insurance and implementation and administration of remote signing networks.

Sponsored by several of the major banks, Dean has given dozens of first time home buyer seminars and was a featured speaker at the Independent Mortgage Brokers Association convention. He is a multiple recipient of the Top Law Partner Certificate of Excellence as awarded by First Canadian Title.

Practice Areas:

  • Residential Real Estate and Mortgage Financing.

For further assistance, please contact Dean directly at dglinos@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 265.

Alternatively, you may contact one of his legal assistants. Donna Ireland can be reached at direland@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 344. Teresa Ander-Smith can be reached at tander-smith@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 230.

Dilreet (Shawn) S. Dandiwal

Dilreet (Shawn) S. Dandiwal

Partner. Call to the Ontario Bar: 2006

Education:
Shawn attended the University of Western Ontario, and graduated with a degree in Finance and Administration in 2001. He earned his LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and his J.D. from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2005.

Experience:
Shawn has been with RZCD since 2006 and became a partner in 2014. His clients range from high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, corporations and financial institutions to families purchasing their very first home. Shawn comes from an entrepreneurial family and understands firsthand the needs of entrepreneurs. His practice covers all aspects of real estate transactions from first time home buyers, real estate developers, acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, to refinancing of residential and commercial properties.

Languages:
English and Punjabi.

Practice Areas:

  • Business/Corporate and Commercial Law: the sales and acquisitions of businesses, corporate restructuring and refinancing, shareholders’ agreement and all issues pertaining to daily corporate management.
  • Real Estate Law: real property transactions, bank refinancing, land development, commercial and residential real estate purchases and sales, power of sale transactions.

For further assistance, please contact Shawn directly at sdandiwal@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 347.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Kateryna Morozuk can be reached at kmorozuk@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 403.

Frank Racioppo

Frank Racioppo

Call to the Bar: 1992

Education:
Frank received his B. Comm. at the University of Toronto in 1987 and continued his education at the University of Windsor, where he graduated with his M.B.A. and LL.B. in 1990.

Practice Areas:

  • Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law
  • Municipal and Development Law.

For further assistance, please contact Frank directly at fracioppo@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 234.

Alternatively, his law clerk, Ann Charbon can be reached at acharbon@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 289.

James R. Smith

James R. Smith

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1990

Education:
Jim attended the University of Toronto as a scholarship student and studied Political Science and History for two years. He advanced to Osgoode Hall Law School and graduated with his LL.B. in 1988. Jim also received his Masters of Law degree (LL.M) from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1999, specializing in Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution.

Experience:
Jim is the Senior Litigation Partner at RZCD and heads up our Construction Litigation and Law Group. He has appeared at all levels of courts and tribunals in Ontario, representing chartered banks and institutions, private corporations and entrepreneurs, as well as athletes and sport franchise owners. Jim has extensive experience negotiating for suppliers in the construction industry.

Memberships:
Jim is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, County of York Law Association, Peel Law Association, Construction Law Division of the CBAO, Canadian Bar Association, Sports Lawyers Association, and is Lead Counsel to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum.

Practice Areas:

  • Commercial Litigation and Civil Litigation: construction liens and construction contracts, debtor/creditor and security enforcement and bankruptcy and insolvency.

For further assistance, please contact Jim directly at jsmith@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 228.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Matthew Antrobus can be reached at mantrobus@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 247.

Lyle C. Belkin

Lyle C. Belkin

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1987

Education:
Lyle received his LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, and an MBA from York University.

Experience:
Lyle served on the Board of the Family Lawyers Association, and has spoken about family law issues to various groups.

Practice Area:

  • Family Law: divorce, custody, access, child support, spousal support, division of property, restraining orders, separation agreements, marriage contracts, and cohabitation agreements.

For further assistance please contact Lyle directly at lbelkin@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 250.

Satwinder S. Gosal

Satwinder S. Gosal

Partner. Call to the Bar: 1990

Education:
Satwinder graduated from St. Andrews College and Queen’s University, where he was a member of the Senate and Class President. He obtained his LL.B. from the University of Windsor in 1988 and subsequently articled at a boutique Toronto municipal law firm.

Experience:
Satwinder is a contributing writer to a textbook on Condominium Law and has published articles on human rights issues. He is also active in provincial and federal politics and holds several directorships on boards of non-profit organizations in the Peel Region. He has served as a director on the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board.

Languages:
English and Punjabi

Practice Areas:

  • Business/Corporate Commercial Law: the sale and acquisition of businesses, corporate restructuring and refinancing, franchising, shareholders’ agreements and all issues pertaining to daily corporate management.
  • Real Estate and Development Law: real property transactions, bank refinancing, land development and condominium law, purchase and sale of hotels, and commercial leasing.

For further assistance, please contact Sat directly at sgosal@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 243.

Alternatively, his Senior law clerk, Alexander Szokyj can be reached at aszockyj@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 298.

Aasma Bhatti

Aasma Bhatti

Associate call to the Bar: 2019 (Ontario)

Education:

After obtaining her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2013, Aasma attended law school in London, United Kingdom where she earned her Bachelors of Law (LL.B.) with a concentration in business and property law.

Experience:

Aasma has extensive experience with real estate, commercial and corporate transactions. Aasma’s current practice focuses on providing clients with efficient and effective solutions. While being tenaciously committed to her clients, Aasma continues to diligently extend reliable and professional legal services.

Memberships:

Aasma is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association and the Peel Law Association.

Languages:

Aasma is fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi

Practice Areas:

  • Real Estate/ Property Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Litigation
  • Wills and Estates

For further assistance, please contact Aasma directly at abhatti@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 252.

Amber Kandola

Amber Kandola

Associate, Call to the Bar: 2020

Education:

After obtaining her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, Amber attended law school at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom where she earned her (LL.B), graduating with honors.

Experience:

Prior to joining RZCD, Amber practiced in the area of immigration law, with broad range exposure to Permanent Residence Applications, including Family Sponsorship, Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry, and Temporary Applications. She has appeared before the Immigration Appeal Division and Immigration Refugee Board.

In addition to immigration work, Amber’s current practice focuses on all aspects of real estate transactions, including commercial and residential purchases and sales, re-financing, and private lending. Amber also practices in the area of Corporate/Commercial Law with a focus on contract review and sales and acquisitions of businesses.

Amber is passionate, driven, and detail oriented. She ensures quality and professional service, with dedicated attention to every client’s matter.

Memberships:

Amber is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto.

Languages:

Amber is fluent in Punjabi.

Practice Areas:

  • Real Estate/Property Law
  • Corporate/Commercial Law
  • Immigration Law

For further assistance, please contact Amber directly at akandola@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 229

Bickrumjit (“Bicky”) Dhugga

Bickrumjit (“Bicky”) Dhugga

Associate

Education:
York University, Osgoode Hall Law School 2018, Master of Laws (LLM)
University of Leicester 2017, Bachelor of Laws (LLB- Honours)
Brock University, Goodman School of Business, 2015, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA- Honours).

Experience:
Drawing on his considerable experience working in commercial litigation, Bicky has the foresight to draft agreements that his clients can rely upon in their favour if litigation ensues. He has appeared before various levels of court and various administrative tribunals, and has taken part in many successful mediations.

Memberships:
Law Society of Ontario
Toronto Lawyers Association
The Canadian Bar Association

Practice Areas:

Bicky has a corporate and commercial law practice with an emphasis on commercial leasing, shareholder agreements and corporate governance. His practice expands to corporate and residential real estate matters, including agreements of purchase and sale, refinancing and private mortgages for individuals and corporations.

Clients benefit in working with Bicky as he has valued experienced in approaching matters with cost effectiveness and an ability to evaluate different approaches to benefit each client. Bicky serves as a trusted advisor and general corporate counsel to various companies, with a focus on the transportation industry.

Bicky is a firm believer in the Law Society’s mandate of access to justice and believes the same should be true for equality and opportunity. Following this belief, Bicky’s legal services include incorporating companies on a pro bono basis for new entrepreneurs who are looking to make their mark on the world. The maxim growing with his clients has always been central in his focused practice in corporate and commercial law.

For further assistance, please contact Bicky directly at bicky@rzcdlaw.com or at 905-848-6100 Ext. 232.

Geoffrey Cauchi

Geoffrey Cauchi

Associate. Call to the Bar: 1983

Education:
Geoff graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of Western Ontario in 1981.

In April of 2016, Geoff earned the certification of CIC.C (Corporate In-House Counsel – Canada) after successfully completing the Business Leadership Program for In-House Counsel offered by the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, the Canadian Bar Association and Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Geoff was one of only three lawyers in his class (Cohort #3) who are currently in private practice, and believes that this training will be of great benefit to his corporate and credit union clients who are looking for external counsel with "in-house counsel attitude!"

Experience:
Geoff joined RZCD in January 2009 when he and Penny Rintoul moved their practices from Guiney Rintoul Cauchi LLP, a boutique firm that focused on providing legal services to banking and financial institutions and, in particular, all the levels of the Canadian Credit Union system, under the name Tanner & Guiney Associates. He and Penny Rintoul now head up the Financial Institution Services Group at RZCD.

Before joining Tanner & Guiney Associates in 2000 Geoff was Corporate Counsel and Secretary to Niagara Credit Union Limited (now Meridian Credit Union Limited) from 1986 to 2000. Geoff has been an active participant on Credit Union industry committees. He served on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario, particularly in the development of the Member Institution Self-Assessment Report from 1996 to 1997, and the DICO recommended Board Policies. Geoff also served on the Ontario Credit Union Legislative Reform Committee for the Ministry of Financial Institutions, which produced its final report in 1993. He continued as consultant on the Legislation until passage of the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act (1994). Geoff was also a presenter at Credit Union Central of Ontario’s New Legislation Training in May 1995. Geoff’s banking and financial institution clients benefit from his particular expertise in the area of credit union operations and administration, board and management governance, banking system contracts, outsourced services and other networking agreements, and compliance with privacy and anti-money laundering legislation.

In 2000 and 2001, Geoff was a member of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for the Financial Services Compliance Administration Program at Seneca College.

Memberships:
Geoff serves on the Boards of Directors of several charitable and non-profit organizations of local, provincial, and federal scope. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Peel Law Association, and the Christian Legal Fellowship.

Published Works:
Legal Limits on Flat NSF Fees and Overdraft Charges: published in National Banking Law Review (LexisNexis Canada Inc., Robert E. Elliot, Editor), December 2004.

The Protection of the Reliance Interest and Anticipated Contracts Which Fail to Materialize: (1981), 18 U.W.O. L. Review; cited in Trevor A. Mills, Letters of Intent and the Canadian Approach to Good Faith Bargaining Obligations: So Close So Far (1996), 11 B.F.L.R. 397; and in Duxbury v. Training Inc., 2002 ABPC 24 (CanLII).

A Catholic Lawyer Takes a Look at the Marc Hall Case: in Judicial Activism: A Threat to Democracy and Religion (Ed. Alphonse de Valk) (Toronto: Life Ethics Information Centre, 2003)

The Lyfe-Preserver Protective Advance Directive and Power of Attorney for Personal Care (Annotated) published by Alliance for Life (Ontario)

Practice Areas:

  • Banking and Financial Institution Services
  • General Business Law
  • Laws relating to charities and non-profits
  • Advance directives and powers of attorney for personal care for people of faith
  • Commercial and Residential Real Estate

For further assistance, please contact Geoff directly at gcauchi@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 274.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Ann Duxbury can be reached at aduxbury@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 276.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Colette Fu can be reached at cfu@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 277.

For real estate matters, please contact Laura Lovell at llovell@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 257.

Indu Maniappan

Indu Maniappan

Associate. Call to the bar: 2008 (Ontario) and 1998 (India)

Education:
Indu earned LL. B (NCA Accreditation) from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada in 2007. Indu graduated with a Bachelor of Law from India in 1997. Indu also has a degree in Bachelor of Arts.

Experience:
Indu has international experience in Corporate/Commercial Law (Private Practice and In-House). Indu started her law practice in 2008 after being called to the bar in Ontario. She specializes in Corporate/Commercial Law, Real Estate (Residential and Commercial) and Wills and Estate.

Indu is dedicated to providing quality services by focussing on her client’s success and business objectives and working with them diligently to ensure their best options are carried out. Keeping clients informed and up-to-date is always important to Indu.

Practice Areas:

  • Business/Corporate and Commercial Law: (Incorporations, business share purchases and closings, business asset purchases and closings, sale and purchase of franchised businesses, business establishments (private, professional, franchise, not for profit and charity organizations), healthcare business establishments (dental, pharmacy, chiropractors, physiotherapists and general healthcare professionals), corporate restructuring, family trusts, corporate governance, shareholders agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements and commercial leases and agreements)
  • Real Estate Law: Residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales, bank refinancing and power of sale transactions
  • Wills and Estates Law: Single and couple Wills and Power of Attorneys

Membership:
Indu is a member of Ontario Bar Association and Halton County Law Association, Milton Chamber of Commerce.

Languages:
English, Malayalam and Tamil.

For further assistance please contact Indu directly at imaniappan@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 272.

Joel Enchin

Joel Enchin

A seasoned corporate counsel and practitioner, Joel offers legal advice for the client who seeks responsive, professional legal services. Joel has diverse experience and practices in the areas of residential real estate, mortgage financing, commercial real estate and leasing, corporate and commercial law including the purchase and sale of businesses, licensing and commercial agreements.

Joel has an undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Windsor. Following his call to the Bar in 1988, he joined a major downtown law firm in Toronto. As corporate counsel, Joel was associated with companies ranging from financial services, title and business process outsourcing to restaurant, travel and tourism sectors. He has focussed in the areas of real property, financial services, leasing, commercial agreements, regulatory compliance and title insurance. Joel has played a significant role in managing real property portfolios, the implementation and management of centralized broker and lender programs, the delivery of seminars to prospective home buyers and real estate professionals, title insurance and claims management. Currently, Joel represents both business and individual clients offering a full range of legal services with a particular emphasis on offering the best in client service.

For further assistance, please contact Joel directly at jenchin@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 342.

Alternatively, you may contact one of his legal assistants. Teresa Ander-Smith can be reached at tander-smith@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 230 or Donna Ireland at direland@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 344.

Lorne D. Barsky Q.C.

Lorne D. Barsky Q.C.

It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, Lorne Barsky, Q.C. on April 11, 2020.

Lorne was called to the bar in 1971 and over his remarkable 49 years of practice came to be recognized as a senior statesman of the profession. Although he excelled in all areas, his contributions to real estate law are profound.

Lorne’s dry wit, intellectual curiosity and wonderful disposition enriched the lives of every lawyer who crossed his path. To the lawyers of this firm, his mentorship has been invaluable and will be cherished for as long as we practise. Above all, his uncompromising commitment to ethics and integrity is a model to which we all aspire. A man of enormous emotional intelligence, Lorne impressed everyone he met with his thoughtfulness and empathy. He will be greatly missed.

An avid traveler and with an extreme love of his family (and notably his grandchildren), he is survived by his loving wife, Lesley of 54 years.

Mahi Noor Khalid

Mahi Noor Khalid

Associate, Call to the New York Bar: 2022, Call to the Ontario Bar: 2023

Education:
Albany Law School, Juris Doctor, 2021
University of Waterloo, Bachelors of Arts in Legal Studies, 2017

Experience:
Noor is a unique individual as she joined RZCD as a high school student and progressed her way to joining as an Associate.

Noor obtained her Juris Doctorate in New York prior to being called to the Bar of Ontario. Noor’s legal experience covers areas such as Family Law, Civil Litigation and Wills and Estates. Noor accepts Legal Aid Certificate for Family Law matters on a case by case basis and is always willing to help out individuals in determining their options.

Noor is a detail oriented, organized, and pro-active individual. She always provides her clients with all available options and outcomes in order for them to come to the best decision with their legal matter.

Affiliations: New York State Bar, Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association

Languages Spoken: English, Urdu

Areas of Law: Family Law, Civil Litigation, Wills and Estates

Locations: GTA, Hamilton and London, Ontario.

Associate

Call to the New York Bar: 2022
Call to the Ontario Bar: 2023

Education:
Albany Law School, Juris Doctor, 2021
University of Waterloo, Bachelors of Arts in Legal Studies, 2017

Experience:

Noor is a unique individual as she joined RZCD as a high school student and progressed her way to joining as an Associate.

Noor obtained her Juris Doctorate in New York prior to being called to the Bar of Ontario. Noor’s legal experience covers areas such as Family Law, Civil Litigation and Wills and Estates. Noor accepts Legal Aid Certificate for Family Law matters on a case by case basis and is always willing to help out individuals in determining their options.

Noor is a detail oriented, organized, and pro-active individual. She always provides her clients with all available options and outcomes in order for them to come to the best decision with their legal matter.

Areas of Law:

  • Family Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Wills and Estates

Affiliations:

  • New York State Bar
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association

Languages spoken: English, Urdu

Locations: GTA, Hamilton and London, Ontario.

For further assistance, please contact Noor directly at nkhalid@rzcdlaw.com or at 905-848-6100 Ext. 266.

Naaila Sangrar

Naaila Sangrar

Associate. Call to the Bar: 2010

Education:

After obtaining her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006 (double major in Mass Communication and French Language & Literature ), Naaila attended law school at the University of Windsor, graduating in 2009. Naaila balanced a full course load along with volunteer and paid legal work and active involvement in student government. As a student, she was a supervisor at Community Legal Aid, the legal aid clinic affiliated with the University, for two years and successfully defended clients charged with criminal offences in the Ontario Court of Justice.

Experience:

Naaila’s clients appreciate her strong sense of justice and her no-nonsense approach. She runs a practice focussing on corporate disputes including officer, director and shareholder matters, contractual disputes, real estate litigation, power of sale proceedings and estates litigation. Her practice has caused her to appear before all levels of Court and many Tribunals in Ontario.

Memberships:

Fluent in French, Naaila is a member of the Association des Juristes d’Expression Française de l’Ontario and a member of the Board of Directors of the Brescia University College Foundation.

Practice Areas:

  • Civil Litigation

For further assistance, please contact Naaila directly at nsangrar@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 282.

Alternatively, her legal assistant, Lynn Presland can be reached at lpresland@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 263.

Penny-Lynn M. Rintoul

Penny-Lynn M. Rintoul

Associate. Call to the Bar: 1993

Penny focuses on providing advice on credit union share offerings, incorporations, and mergers and acquisitions, and also involves herself in regulatory issues affecting the Ontario credit union system. Penny also provides legal advice to credit unions on general corporate matters, and provides training on legal issues for credit union front-line staff and management. She also provides general corporate law advice to other kinds of entities.

She also provides estate planning services, including wills, powers of attorney, and trusts, as well as estate administration (probate) services.

She serves as a member of the Advancement Committee of, and on the campaign cabinet regarding a current major fundraising campaign for, Brescia University College (the only all-female university-level women’s college in Canada).

For further assistance, please contact Penny directly at “pmrintoul@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 275.

Alternatively, her legal assistant, Ann Duxbury can be reached at aduxbury@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 276.

Alternatively, her legal assistant, Colette Fu can be reached at cfu@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 277

Sara Khan

Sara Khan

Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. Called to the bar in January of 2017.

Bio to follow

Education:
Sarah earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Bond University in Australia in 2015. Before attending law school, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) with a double major in Legal Studies and Business from the University of Waterloo in 2013.

Practice areas:

  • Commercial Real Estate Law: purchase, sale and financing of commercial properties including vacant lands, hotels, malls, multi-residential buildings, gas stations, retirement homes and industrial buildings.
  • Condominium Development Law: acquisition of developments lands, drafting condominium disclosure documents, registering condominiums, completing occupancy and final closings and transferring ownership to individual unit owner(s).
  • Business and Corporate Law: sales, mergers and acquisitions of companies, share purchase transactions and general corporate matters.

Experience:
Sarah is an associate at RZCD with over seven years of practicing law. Prior to joining RZCD she worked at a small busy residential real estate law firm in Mississauga serving all of Ontario. Prior to practicing real estate law, she practiced criminal law at a boutique law firm located in the financial district of Toronto appearing before various levels of court.

Sarah’s current practice focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate law, general corporate matters and condominium law. She routinely acts on behalf of purchasers, vendors, developers, borrowers and lenders on a wide range of commercial real estate transactions including commercial mortgage lending transactions, land development and corporate structuring.

Memberships:
Ontario Bar Association (OBA);
Women’s Law Association of Ontario (WLAO);
Young Women in law Association (YWL)
South Asian Bar Association of Toronto (SABA);

Languages:
Sarah is proficient in English and Urdu.

For further assistance, please contact Sarah directly at: skhan@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 224.

Alternatively, her legal assistant, Melvey Roy can be reached at mroy@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 241.

Alternatively, her legal assistant, Alexander Szockyj can be reached at aszockyj@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 298.

Shana Maiato

Shana Maiato

Education:
In 2007 Shana completed her undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, earning an Honours B.B.A. as well as a B.A. in Political Science (Minor History). She attended law school at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, earning her J.D. in 2010.

Experience:
Shana is a civil and family law practitioner with RZCD. She assists clients in resolving civil litigation matters and family law disputes through negotiated settlements as well as via court processes when appropriate. Shana is currently accepting clients with Certificates from Legal Aid Ontario for civil and family law matters.

Shana enjoys travelling and in addition to studying abroad in Auckland, New Zealand she lived in The Hague, Netherlands while interning for an international war crimes tribunal in 2009. She also worked in a small and fast paced family law firm before beginning her practice at RZCD.

Memberships:
Shana has been admitted to the Bar of Ontario and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Canadian Bar Association and the Peel Lawyers’ Association (Family Law Section).

Practice Areas:

  • Civil Litigation
  • Family Law: procuring a divorce, child custody and access concerns, issues surrounding child support and spousal support claims, the division of assets upon dissolution of a marriage, property and asset claims of unmarried couples, and collateral issues arising as a consequence of a relationship breakdown.
  • Advocacy in child protection and support enforcement (FRO) matters.

For further assistance, please contact Shana directly at smaiato@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 233.

Alternatively, her legal assistant Mahi Noor Khalid can be reached at nkhalid@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 266.

Taman Singh

Taman Singh

Associate

Education:
Bond University- Queensland, Australia (Juris Doctor- First Class Honours)
York University- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Experience:

Taman’s advice and counsel is sought by large corporations, small business owners and high net worth individuals – with a particular focus on assisting them with their Employment, Corporate/Business, Residential/Commercial Real Estate, and Immigration Law needs.

Taman is a fierce advocate for, and an empathetic resource for you, his clients. Understanding that for some the legal process can be intimating, Taman takes the time to understand your legal needs, explain the legal concepts and process to you, and assist you in an effective and efficient manner. Taman recognizes that your matter is unique and so he adapts his approach to match your circumstances, ensuring your best interests, concerns, and requirements are met.

Client engagement and collaboration is central to Taman’s Practice, and he is committed to maintaining a high level of communication with his clients. Taman manages the relationship transparently so that you can see how your interests are being served at every stage of the legal process.

Taman will work closely with you to help you achieve your desired outcome from development of initial strategy all the way through to the completion of your matter. You can count on Taman to deliver professional, timely and practical legal services.

Taman Singh is here to help you when you need it most.

Practice Areas:

  • Employment Law
  • Corporate and Business Law
  • Immigration Law
  • Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Family Law
  • Wills and Estates

Affiliations:

  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Toronto Lawyers Association
  • The Canadian Bar Association
  • South Asian Bar Association
  • Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario

Languages spoken: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu.

For further assistance, please contact Taman directly at taman@rzcdlaw.com or at 905-848-6100 Ext. 354.

Usman A. Bhatti

Usman A. Bhatti

Associate. Call to the Ohio Bar: 2003, Call to the Bar: 2005

Education:

Usman fast tracked through high school, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 2000, studying Economics and Computer Science, graduating with honours (completing a 4 year degree in 3 years). Usman continued his education at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he obtained a Juris Doctor in 2003 with a Concentration in Business Law and was the youngest student in his graduating class. Usman graduated as a Dean's Scholar and was on the Dean's List throughout law school.

Experience:

Usman is one of the few lawyers in our firm whose skills have allowed him to successfully practice in areas ranging from transactional work to litigation. Usman's advice and representation is sought by governments, companies and wealthy individuals with unusually challenging and complicated problems, as well as smaller companies and individuals looking for guidance on less complicated matters. Usman has built a reputation and is known for his skilful and creative representation, negotiating abilities and foresight – especially in respect of transactions and disputes with no obvious solution. Usman has been featured in the media for cases he has worked on and is also a regular speaker at seminars educating on various areas of the law. Additionally, Usman represents some of the largest real estate brokerages and is a regular speaker where he has educated realtors on all aspects of a real estate closing, tax implications, investment strategies and the fundamentals of the transaction.

Usman brings a unique approach to his practice, where his litigation clients benefit with his knowledge and work in the areas of transactional work resulting from his understanding the intricacies of a transaction, but also his transactional clients benefit as a result of his first-hand understanding on how courts will interpret, view and enforce various transactions. To this end, Usman and his team provide full-service representation to his clients.

Usman has successfully appeared at all levels of the Court, including the Tax Court of Canada and various Tribunals and Administrative Boards obtaining favourable results for his clients.

A one-time fashion consultant and stylist, Usman admits he still enjoys the fashion industry, and is big on health and fitness and playing sports.

Practice Areas:
Usman provides service to his clients in the following areas of the law:

  • Corporate Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Real Estate/Property Law
  • Litigation
  • Family Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Employment/Entertainment Law
  • Immigration
  • Wills and Estates.

Memberships:

Usman is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates' Society, Peel Law Association. Usman also sits on the board of directors of several non-profit corporations.

Languages spoken: English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

For further assistance, please contact Usman directly at ubhatti@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 402.

Alternately, his legal assistant, Fozia Bhatti can be reached at fbhatti@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 349.

Ernest D. Coetzee

Ernest D. Coetzee

Counsel, Call to the Bar: 1989

Education:
Ernie attended the University of Western Ontario and received his B.A. in 1984. He continued his education at the University of Ottawa and obtained his LL.B. in 1987.

Experience:
Ernie heads our Labour and Employment Law Group and has been a partner with the firm since 1994. Ernie has represented clients before the administrative tribunals involved with many sub-areas of Labour and Employment Law. He has acted as counsel on numerous occasions before all levels of the court in Ontario including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Ernie has also acted as counsel for several professional athletes, sports franchise owners and professional player associations. He is also the past President of the Toronto Roadrunners Hockey Club of the American Hockey League.

Memberships:
Ernie is a member of the Sports Lawyers’ Association, County of York Law Association, Canadian Bar Association and the Markland Wood Country Club.

Practice Areas:

  • Labour and Employment Law: collective bargaining, employee benefit plan reviews, grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, Ontario labour relations board applications and complaints, human rights commission hearings, occupational health and safety complaints, worker’s compensation board complaints, employment standards branch complaints, pay equity complaints, preparation and negotiation of employment contracts, wrongful dismissal litigation, staff evaluations, performance reviews, staff terminations and judicial review applications.
  • Sports Law

For further assistance, please contact Ernie directly at ecoetzee@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 222.

Alternatively, his legal assistant, Patricia Ortiz can be reached at portiz@rzcdlaw.com or at Ext. 248.