Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- Osgoode Hall Law School (1998) LLB
- Queen's University (1995) BA (Honours - Political Science)
- LawVision Group (2015) Legal Project Management
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Monique Jilesen (she/her)
"She is very client-focused, personable and strategic." — Chambers Canada
Monique is one of Canada’s leading litigators who clients turn to for their toughest commercial disputes. Her practice focuses on class actions, contract and shareholder disputes, civil fraud cases, injunctions, professional liability, bankruptcy and insolvency matters, and securities and derivatives cases.
Monique is a fearless advocate, unafraid to take on tough, notable, and high-profile cases, even at a moment’s notice. She was counsel to the Ukrainian World Congress in an application for judicial review of Canada's decision to allow the delivery of turbines to Germany for use by a sanctioned Russian company. In Li v Barber, she successfully secured an unprecedented Mareva order freezing up to $20 million of assets and cryptocurrency of Freedom Convoy leaders. She also represented Douglas Cardinal in an injunction to restrain the use in Canada of the Cleveland baseball team's racist name and logo on human rights grounds.
Recognized for her exceptional work, Monique was awarded The Advocates’ Society’s prestigious Douglas K. Laidlaw Award for Excellence in Advocacy in 2017.
Monique is co-leader of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group and a member of the Commercial List Users’ Committee. In 2018, she developed commerciallist.com, an award-winning website that serves as a one-stop shop for all things Commercial List.
Monique is also a long-time member of the firm’s Management Committee. She has been at the forefront of executing the firm’s strategy, building an innovative mindset across the firm, and nurturing its high-performing and inclusive culture. She will continue to do so as the firm’s Managing Partner, effective January 1, 2023, while maintaining her full-time litigation practice.
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Agent for class counsel in a class proceeding by residents, employees, and businesses in Ottawa against the Freedom Convoy organizers. Successfully obtained an ex parte Mareva order freezing donations made to Freedom Convoy organizers and preserving the funds for the benefit of Ottawa residents, employees, and businesses.
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Counsel for Canopy Growth Corporation in an insolvency of PharmHouse Inc., a cannabis greenhouse joint venture.
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Counsel to Walmart in two proposed class actions (Ontario and British Columbia) relating to the manufacturing, supply and sale of Zantac Ranitidine.
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In the Matter of the Receivership of Xela Enterprises Ltd
Counsel to the court-appointed receiver in an application to recover a judgment debt from Xela Enterprises Ltd., the parent company to several subsidiaries located primarily in Central America and the Caribbean.
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First Hamilton Holdings Inc et al v Laurentian Bank Securities et al
Counsel to the Respondent Laurentian Bank Securities in opposing an application for an interim injunction with respect to the Applicants’ margin accounts brought at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America.
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Counsel to the Vendors of a multi-tower condominium project in a claim alleging breach of contract.
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Counsel to the defendant accounting firm in a claim alleging negligence and breach of trust against a former partner of the firm.
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GCT Canada Limited Partnership v Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Attorney General of Canada
Counsel to Global Container Terminals in a judicial review of a decision of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority refusing to consider Global Container Terminal’s proposed port expansion project.
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Counsel to the GIP Primus, LP in oppression proceedings brought by the Monitor in the context of Algoma's CCAA proceeding.
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Petrochemical Commercial Company International Ltd v Nexus
Counsel to individual respondents in an application relating to a worldwide and multijurisdictional Mareva injunction, including Malaysia, Cyprus and Australia.
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Commercial List Users’ Committee - Member
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The Advocates' Society - Former Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
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Women's White Collar Defense Association
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Turnaround Management Association
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United Way Greater Toronto - Member, 2022 Major Individual Giving (MIG) Cabinet and Women United
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Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Moot - Former Coach, Osgoode Hall Law School
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Osgoode Hall Law School - Former Adjunct Professor
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Gale Cup Moot Committee - Past Chair
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The LCO’s Class Actions Final Report: The Defence Perspective
As has now been widely reported, the Law Commission of Ontario has released its final report on class actions which makes recommendations to improve the system of class actions in Ontario. Our colleagues, Brian Kolenda and Derek Knoke, commented on those that will be of interest to plaintiffs in their blog post here. We provide the defence counsel perspective here.
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The Rules of Evidence Still Apply in PMNOC Section 8 Cases
It’s no surprise to litigators that some courts tend to be relaxed with the rules of evidence in civil cases. In many contexts, courts are prepared to admit inadmissible hearsay evidence and simply address evidentiary concerns by noting that such evidence may be given less weight. That type of approach was often taken in cases under section 8 of the Patented Medicine (Notice of Compliance) Regulations.
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The weight of the corporate veil: It will be lifted with only the strongest tools
The "corporate veil" is an old and well-establish concept. Corporations are separate legal entities under the law and, generally, liability will not flow through the corporation and onto the owners and directors. This is why a corporate bankruptcy doesn't result in a flurry of debt collectors knocking on the door of every shareholder.
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Lenczner Slaght Recognized Among Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers
Following an in-depth peer review process, the 2022 Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers guide recognizes 15 Lenczner Slaght lawyers for their extensive courtroom experience and subject-matter expertise. We know courts, and courts know and trust us. That is why clients turn to us to solve their most complex legal problems.
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Lexpert's Top 10 Business Decisions of 2021/2022
In Lexpert's Top 10 Business Decisions of 2021/2022, Lenczner Slaght is featured for its involvement in Li v Barber and Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v Entertainment Software Association. Monique Jilesen was further interviewed on our involvement in Li v Barber, where our team successfully obtained a precedent-setting Mareva order.
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Litigation Boutique Lenczner Slaght Names New Managing Partner
Monique Jilesen was interviewed by Law.com International about her plans for the firm following her appointment to Managing Partner in 2023.
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Lenczner Slaght Stands Out as a “Litigation Powerhouse” in Legal 500 Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm is once again ranked in Tier 1 for Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 Canada.
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Monique Jilesen joins Class Proceedings Committee
Monique Jilesen will bring her extensive and formidable experience to the Law Foundation of Ontario's Class Proceedings Committee.
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Lenczner Slaght Announces Monique Jilesen Will Succeed Tom Curry as Managing Partner
Interviewed by Canadian Lawyer, Monique Jilesen speaks more about the direction she intends to lead the firm following her appointment in 2023. Matthew B. Lerner was also mentioned, as he has been appointed to the Management Committee and will join current members, Eli Lederman, and chief operating officer Tracie Crook.
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Monique Jilesen to Lead the Way as Lenczner Slaght’s New Managing Partner
Continuing the tradition of being led by one of Canada’s leading trial lawyers, Lenczner Slaght is thrilled to confirm the appointment of our new Managing Partner, Monique Jilesen, effective January 1, 2023.
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Lenczner Slaght Ranked Band 1 in Chambers Canada for 5th Consecutive Year
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to be recognized in the latest edition of world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized Among the Best Lawyers in Canada
In the latest edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, 39 of our expert litigators are recognized by their peers for their expertise across 24 practice areas.
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Canada Considered Jobs, Inflation in Decision to Return Russian Turbine: Document
The Interior News interviewed Monique Jilesen on her role and insights into the application made on behalf of the Ukrainian World Congress which fights a waiver to allow a gas turbine to be returned to Russia.
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The Fearless Advocate: Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues
Monique Jilesen was invited to present at The Advocates' Society's program titled "The Fearless Advocate: Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues". Monique will speak on the panel Best Practices for Handling Media, New and Old.
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Rethinking the Rules of Civil Evidence
In the March 2022 edition of The Advocates' Journal, Monique Jilesen and Jessica Kras provided a practical refresher on the evidentiary principles that govern the use and admissibility of documents to refresh a witness’s memory.
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Ottawa and the Emergencies Act: A Big Round Table
Monique participated in a roundtable presented by Osgoode Hall Law School on how the Emergencies Act’s invocation and measures relate to associated developments, particularly the Ottawa residents’ class action lawsuit against the Freedom Convoy protesters and the resulting injunctions.
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Examinations for Discovery: Building Block Series
Monique Jilesen presented at the second installment of The Advocates' Society's Examinations for Discovery: Building Block Series. Monique shared her expertise on the session "Discovery Questions and Techniques".
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Second Chair, Not Second Fiddle
Monique Jilesen presented at The Advocates' Society's program titled "Second Chair, Not Second Fiddle". In this new program, Monique shared top tips and strategies for becoming an effective second chair – both before and during trial.
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Putting People First in Workplace Modernization
Monique Jilesen was invited to speak at the Ontario Bar Association's Work That Works podcast. Monique spoke about the future of the legal workplace post-pandemic.
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The Litigator’s Guide To the Business of Law
Brian Kolenda co-chaired The Advocates' Society program titled "The Litigator’s Guide To the Business of Law". The program helped guide mid-career litigators who are new to department leadership or are looking to enter into this role. Monique Jilesen also attended and shared her expertise as a panelist.
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Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues
Monique Jilesen co-chaired The Advocates' Society's program Litigating Polarizing Legal Issues. In this program, experienced counsel considered how lawyers make the decision to litigate polarizing legal issues, whether there has been a generational change, how these cases affect the way we litigate, and how to manage our client relationships.
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Canada's legal leaders - up close and personal
Monique Jilesen featured in the first episode of Lexpert TV! Monique spoke about her leading litigation practice, how our firm quickly adapted to COVID-19, the future of legal service delivery, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
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Enabling Legal Innovation in a Disruptive Era
Monique Jilesen presented at the Canadian Legal Innovation Forum. Monique discussed the evolution of the legal innovation landscape in the COVID-19 era.
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Douglas K. Laidlaw Medal for Excellence in Advocacy (2017)
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International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2017)
Fellow
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Chambers Canada (2019-2023)
Litigation: General Commercial (Ontario)
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2014-2022)
Class Actions, Insolvency & Financial Restructuring, Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability, Litigation - Securities
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Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (2016-2021)
Corporate Commercial Litigation
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2014-2022)
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada (2013-2019)
Dispute Resolution, Corporate Commercial Litigation, Litigation Lawyer to Watch (2013)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Technology Lawyers (2021)
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Lexpert Zenith Award (2018)
Mid-Career Excellence in Corporate Commercial Litigation
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Lexpert Rising Stars (2012)
Leading Lawyers Under 40
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