Cindy Leung Cindy Leung joined Devry Smith Frank LLP in August 2020 as an associate lawyer in our litigation, personal injury and insurance groups. She is a graduate of Queen’s University (B.Sc in Life Sciences) and the University of Western Ontario (J.D.). Cindy was called to the Ontario bar in 2017. Prior to DSF, Cindy practiced with a reputed boutique law firm in Toronto gaining experience acting on numerous complex matters including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, (sexual) assaults, product liability, burn injuries, dog injuries, wrongful dismissals, disability benefits, and home insurance claims. She values effective communication and while drafting Cindy strives for mathematical clarity by explaining calculations line by line along with the applicable assumptions. Her client-centric approach and fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese have made her a respected and trusted advisor to her many clients. During her spare time, she enjoys reading and is an avid hiker, having travelled extensively across Canada. If you need assistance on injury-related cases, consult with our personal injury lawyer in Toronto by contacting Cindy at 416-847-3580 or emailing her at cindy.leung@devrylaw.ca By Fauzan SiddiquiSeptember 17, 2020November 5, 2020
David Lavkulik David Lavkulik is an established Toronto mediator at Devry Smith Frank LLP. David was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1995. He received a B.A. (Econ.) from the University of Toronto in 1990 and a law degree from the University of Victoria (B.C.) Law School in 1993. David is a partner at Devry Smith Frank LLP and works as a lawyer and mediator. He has been with DSF since 1999. David has over 24 years of civil litigation experience, with a focus on Insurance-Personal Injury claims including Tort, Accident Benefits and Disability claims and Coverage disputes, Medical Malpractice claims, Professional Negligence, Employment Litigation, Estates Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Sexual Abuse claims. Approximately 75% of his practice has been allocated to acting as counsel for various corporate defendants/insurers, with the remaining 25% allocated to acting for injured parties/plaintiffs. He has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario including trials (jury and non-jury), the Court of Appeal, Costs hearings, as well as at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. David has extensive mediation experience, both as counsel and as a mediator. He has acted as a David has extensive mediation experience, both as counsel and as a mediator. He has acted as mediator in nearly 1500 claimsmediator in nearly 1500 claims. His work as a mediator has been described as “persistent”, “patient”, and a “demonstration of the real art of mediation”. His experience in acting for both plaintiffs and defendants provides him with valuable insight into the perspectives of both sides, both as a mediator and as counsel. David is distinguished as counsel by his ability to take on and turn around the most challenging cases where previous counsel was unable to achieve any results. His work as Plaintiff counsel on one such case was summarized by the Court following a 13-day jury trial as follows: “This was a long, complicated and very demanding trial. It was, at the same time, a very well thought out, planned and presented case that Ms. M’s counsel placed before the jury… The health care issues were many and complex. Ms. M’s counsel was challenged to marshal the evidence necessary to help the jury to appreciate and assess the issues. I allow counsel fees for Mr. Lavkulik as senior trial counsel as that was the role he fulfilled in that forum. Trials demand much from counsel. They are not an arena for the timid. Trials challenge the skills, training and experience of any counsel. They present difficulties and pitfalls not easily avoided. This case is no exception; in fact it proves the point. To the extent that billing rates are a relevant factor, I prefer to view them in this case at the highest levels of those usually thought applicable for timekeepers of each level or range of experience considered.”[1] The judge’s comments are particularly significant given the history of the claim (the action had been dismissed prior to David’s involvement [2] and the magnitude of the jury verdict [3] and trial judge’s costs award. David is also a part-time musician. He plays keyboards and saxophone in several roots rock and jazz fusion groups is a member of the Songwriter’s Association of Canada and can occasionally be heard performing at venues in the GTA. Mader v Hunter (2013) Costs Order following trial The Jury Verdict and evidence at trial is summarized in the reasons at 1 above, and in the threshold decision at Mader v Hunter (2012) Threshold Motion following trial For information and assistance regarding mediation, please contact Toronto mediator David Lavkulik at (416)-446-5835. His availability for mediations may be viewed by accessing his online calendar at: By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
Maya Krishnaratne Immigration lawyer Maya Krishnaratne LL.B is a partner at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF). For the last ten years, Maya has largely practiced civil litigation with a focus on civil defence work. This experience has afforded Maya the ability to act ardently for institutional and individual clients alike, think on her feet, and devise creative and compelling arguments in representing clients. She prides herself on strong communication skills, astute attention to detail, and the sense of trust she builds with her clients. Maya’s professional legal career began in Insurance Defence law and litigation, where she worked with large corporations and individuals obtaining successful outcomes in an efficient and judicious manner. Maya currently practices within DSF’s immigration practice with a view to advising prospective and existing clients with permanent residence and visa applications. Her professional interests lie in corporate immigration law and cross-border issues and advice to multinational corporations, small businesses and individuals in developing immigration strategies and ensuring successful cross-border travel. Her extensive litigation experience also means an ability to advise clients regarding appeals of denied applications and to act as counsel in an appeal should a client wish to pursue one. She believes firmly in the value of a multicultural, ever-evolving population in Canada and is committed to helping those who wish to become part of this great country. Maya insists that clients are kept in the loop at every stage of an application and finds that clients are served best when they are directly involved in their files. Maya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with distinction from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. Outside of her day to day practice, Maya serves on the firm’s articling and summer student committee, devotes time on a pro bono basis to children from low-income families requiring representation in the education system, and volunteers at a Toronto hospital. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 27, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
Miriam Tepperman Toronto lawyer Miriam Tepperman joined the partnership of Devry Smith Frank LLP (“DSF”) in 2020 in our Commercial Litigation and Insurance Defence Groups. In 2002, Miriam graduated Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School with a combined M.B.A/LL.B. degree. She was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2003. Prior to joining DSF, Miriam was a partner at a boutique litigation firm. Miriam has appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Workplace Safety Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Ontario College of Pharmacist and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. As a commercial litigation lawyer, Miriam has represented corporations in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, daycare, religious institutions and commercial housing. Practicing as an insurance defence lawyer, she has litigated a wide variety of claims including property, construction, professional liability, product liability, institutional abuse, occupiers’ liability, motor vehicle, priority, loss transfer, subrogation and workplace safety issues. Miriam has cultivated strong relationships with her clients based on strong legal performance, pragmatic strategy and impressive results. She is a tough and capable litigator. In addition to litigation, Miriam is actively involved in giving presentations on a wide variety of topics ranging from waivers and releases, to mould, to environmental issues to product liability trends, to Mary Carter Agreements, to damages and to occupier liability issues. For more information related to commercial litigation and insurance defence, contact Toronto lawyer Miriam Tepperman at miriam.tepperman@devrylaw.ca By Justin DominicMay 26, 2020November 5, 2020 No comments yet
Jennifer M. Hetherington Jennifer Hetherington is a Toronto lawyer at Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) practicing in the areas of real estate, personal injury, insurance defence litigation and general civil litigation. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Windsor where she received her Honours B.A. in Criminology. She obtained her LL.B. in 2001 from the University of Ottawa. Following her articling year at Devry Smith Frank LLP, Jennifer was called to the bar in October 2002. Jennifer became a partner in 2011. For further information about legal matters in regards to real estate, personal injury, insurance defence litigation and civil litigation, please contact Toronto lawyer Jennifer M. Hetherington at (416)-446-5838. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 20, 2020October 28, 2020 No comments yet
Lawrence Hansen Acting for individuals, corporations and institutions, Lawrence Hansen has a highly varied commercial litigation practice which includes dealing with commercial disputes, business and employee fraud, the enforcement of judgments, debt recovery, contract disputes as well as litigation arising from commercial leases. Lawrence also has over ten years of experience with insurance-related matters, mostly but not exclusively for insurers, focusing on complex litigation matters, particularly those involving insurance fraud, coverage, title insurance, and allegations of bad faith. He has advised clients on difficult questions surrounding suspicious and potentially fraudulent claims, their investigation, the remedies available to clients, and high-risk arson claims. In addition, Lawrence has been retained to represent defendants in personal injury and product liability claims. From Canada’s Atlantic coast, Lawrence spent a year studying Spanish and living in South America and Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (History), McGill University’s Faculty of Law, and has earned a Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor (Stitt Feld Handy). Lawrence has studied Spanish at the University of Toronto, in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 20, 2020October 28, 2020 No comments yet
George O. Frank George was called to the Bar in 1982 and has practiced primarily in the area of civil litigation throughout his career. He received a degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is a graduate of Queen’s University Law School in Kingston, Ontario, winning prizes in contracts law and mediations and arbitrations. George heads our insurance defence group. He has been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. Although the focus of George’s practice is in personal injury, insurance defence and related areas, he also has extensive experience and expertise in commercial litigation, employment law and wrongful dismissal, injunctions and equitable relief, real estate litigation, estates litigation and a wide variety of other civil litigation. George has extensive training and experience in mediations and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his litigation and mediation practice, George works in the areas of estate planning and administration, including advising clients on wills, powers of attorney, trusts, tax planned estate freezes and other tax and estate planning. Among his professional affiliations, George is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Toronto Lawyers Association, the Advocates Society and the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association. By Fauzan SiddiquiMay 19, 2020November 3, 2020 No comments yet