Catherine Francis

Catherine, a pivotal Partner in both the Litigation Group and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group, focuses her legal practice on the realms of corporate/commercial, real estate, banking, and insolvency disputes.

Her legal acumen spans an array of cases, from intricate fraud examinations to disputes over lender liability, applications for oppression remedy, and construction and commercial tenancy disagreements, to environmental lawsuits, employment issues, and professional malpractice claims against various professionals. Catherine's expertise in bankruptcy and insolvency law is profound, having represented a spectrum of parties, including debtors, receivers, and trustees, across a multitude of proceedings governed by various commercial and insolvency-related laws.

She has been the lead attorney in high-profile "lender liability" lawsuits, notably representing the trustee in bankruptcy for Dylex Limited, leading a comprehensive forensic investigation and litigation that recovered significant amounts for unsecured creditors. Catherine's strategies have frequently resulted in substantial financial recoveries for her lender clients through prompt and creative solutions.

Her courtroom experience encompasses appearances across all levels of Ontario courts, including specialized Commercial Lists and the Ontario Court of Appeal, alongside private arbitration sessions. In 2002, Catherine was a member of the Oral Board of Examiners for licensing trustees in bankruptcy and has played an integral role in the Commercial List Users Committee of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, contributing to subcommittees on rule changes and access to justice issues.

Catherine has shared her insights through various presentations and publications on commercial, banking, and insolvency matters, emphasizing the responsibilities of directors and officers during insolvency, recognizing insolvency signs, and asset recovery strategies.

Clients seek Catherine for her direct approach, expertise, and integrity, known in the legal and judicial community for her strong advocacy, both oral and written, and her passion for law. She tackles each case with meticulous attention to detail and unwavering resolve to secure the best outcomes for her clients, whether through negotiation or trial and appeal processes.

Having been called to the Ontario Bar in 1987, Catherine's educational background includes an LL.B. and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto. Her professional memberships include the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario, reflecting her esteemed position within the legal field.

Her practice areas cover a wide range, from litigation and dispute resolution, commercial litigation, and insolvency and restructuring, to creditor's and debtor's rights, bankruptcy, and banking and financial services, showcasing her versatility and depth of knowledge in handling complex legal matters.