Allan Sternberg

Partner

Allan is a seasoned (some may say battle-scarred) litigator with 40 years of experience in the trenches. Allan has appeared (and occasionally lost) before all levels of the Ontario and Federal judiciary and multiple administrative tribunals. Being a middle child, Allan has a unique understanding of the concepts of justice, and more importantly, injustice. He built his practice representing clients involved in acrimonious lawsuits, and acting as an advisor and counsel to warring factions inside privately-held companies. His broad and deep legal knowledge, experience, and expertise are coupled with strong people skills and a good understanding of business realities and intricate financial issues. Allan brings to his cases an “uncommon” common sense, commercial practicality, and proportionality. His diverse practice includes breach of contract claims (aborted transactions of purchase and sale, joint venture disputes, real estate commission claims, condominium disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, enforcement of mortgage remedies and wrongful dismissal claims), shareholder disputes, oppression actions, professional negligence claims, and restitutionary relief for breach of fiduciary obligations and misappropriation of confidential information. A litigation veteran, his younger colleagues look to Allan for his wisdom, humour, and sabre-like analysis of legal problems; but, whatever you do, do not question his grammar. When not in Court, Allan’s competitive spirit is satisfied on the tennis court and the road and mountain bike trails.

Expertise

  • Aborted transactions of purchase and sale
  • Joint venture disputes
  • Real estate commission claims
  • Commercial landlord and tenant disputes
  • Enforcement of mortgage remedies
  • Wrongful dismissal claims
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Oppression actions
  • Condominium disputes
  • Professional negligence claims
  • Restitutionary relief for breach of fiduciary obligations and misappropriation of confidential information

Representative Cases

  • Giouroukos v. Cadillac Fairview Corp., [1986] 2 SCR 707 – lessee successful in acquiring title to land by adverse possession
  • H.W. Liebig Co. v. Leading Investments Ltd., , [1986] 1 SCR 70 – real estate broker
    unsuccessful in recovering his commission from a vendor where prospective purchaser found by him refuses to complete the transaction after entering into an agreement of sale
  • Puri Consulting Limited v. Kim Orr Barristers PC, 2015 ONCA 727 – successful appeal
    of order that settlement was inclusive of costs
  • Metcalfe & Mansfield Alternative Investments II Corp., (Re), 2008 ONCA 587 –
    represented private investor in CCAA proceedings arising from the liquidity crisis, which threatened the Canadian market in Asset Backed Commercial Paper (“ABCP”)

Education

  • LL.B., University of Toronto (1973)
  • B.C.L., University of Oxford (1975)
  • Call to Bar: 1977 (Ontario)

CONTACT INFO

647.288.3357

647.260.2226

ASSISTANT
Tatiana Masoud
416.364.6211 Ext. 249


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