Our Story

Built on two decades of courtroom wins, regulatory battles, and late-night contract reviews that actually mattered.

2003 - The Beginning

Started with a Single Case

Look, we didn't open our doors thinking we'd become some massive firm. Back in 2003, it was just three of us in a cramped office on King Street, handling a regulatory dispute for a mid-sized manufacturer who'd been jerked around by inconsistent compliance interpretations.

That case taught us something important - businesses don't need legal jargon and inflated bills. They need someone who'll explain what's actually happening and fight like hell when it counts.

Law office meeting
2010-2015 - Growth Years

Expanding Without Losing Our Edge

Word spread faster than we expected. Clients started referring their colleagues, and suddenly we're handling M&A deals, IP disputes, and employment investigations across multiple industries. We moved to Bay Street in 2012 - still can't believe we have a view now.

But here's the thing: we made a choice. We could've hired fifty junior associates and churned out billable hours, or we could stay selective, keep our team tight, and actually know every client's business inside out. We went with option two.

Toronto Bay Street
2025 - Today

What We're About Now

Twenty-two years in, we've handled everything from boardroom disputes that'd make your head spin to regulatory audits that kept CEOs up at night. We've won cases that shouldn't have been winnable and settled others because it was the smart move.

These days, we're known for corporate litigation and regulatory work across Ontario and beyond. We've got seven partners now, a solid support team, and enough battle scars to know that every case has its own personality. Some need aggressive litigation, others need strategic negotiation, and a few just need someone to read the damn regulations properly.

Modern law office

Meet the Partners

The folks who've been in the trenches and actually know what it's like to face a hostile cross-examination at 4 PM on a Friday.

Partner

15+ years in corporate litigation. Won a precedent-setting case in 2018 that changed how non-compete clauses work in Ontario.

Catherine Ramirez

Managing Partner

Regulatory Compliance & Litigation

Partner

Former in-house counsel at tech firm. Handled M&A deals worth over $800M. Still reads contracts at breakfast.

David Okonkwo

Senior Partner

M&A & Commercial Contracts

Partner

Specializes in IP litigation and employment disputes. Conducted 40+ workplace investigations. Doesn't tolerate nonsense.

Sarah Chen

Partner

IP & Employment Law

What Drives Us

Not mission statements or corporate speak. Just the principles we've stuck to because they work.

Real Protection

We're not here to rack up hours. When your business faces a legal threat - whether it's litigation, regulatory scrutiny, or a contract dispute - we build defenses that hold up under pressure. No fluff, no false promises.

Straight Talk

Legal problems are stressful enough without lawyers speaking in riddles. We'll tell you what's happening, what your options are, and what we honestly think you should do. Sometimes that means settling. Sometimes it means fighting. We'll explain which and why.

Fast Response

Legal deadlines don't care about office hours. We've taken calls at midnight, reviewed urgent docs on weekends, and shown up to emergency hearings with an hour's notice. When things move fast, we're already moving.

Strategic Thinking

Winning today's case is great. Positioning your business to avoid tomorrow's problems is better. We look at the bigger picture - how does this dispute affect your operations? What precedent does this set? What's the long-term play?

Industry Knowledge

We've worked with manufacturers, tech companies, healthcare providers, financial services firms, and more. That means we understand your industry's specific challenges, not just the law. We speak your language and get your business model.

Transparent Billing

You'll know what things cost upfront. No surprise bills, no padding hours, no charging for stuff that shouldn't be charged. We bill fairly because we want clients who come back, not clients who feel ripped off.

Why Businesses Work With Us

Here's what clients have told us over the years, and it's probably more honest than anything we'd write about ourselves:

  • "You actually answered your phone when things went sideways at 7 PM."
  • "Your retainer agreement didn't need a law degree to understand."
  • "You talked us out of an expensive lawsuit when negotiation made more sense."
  • "You understood our business well enough to spot problems we hadn't seen yet."
  • "The bill matched the estimate. Seriously, that never happens."

Ready to Talk?

Whether you're dealing with an active dispute, need regulatory guidance, or just want a second opinion on a contract that doesn't sit right - let's figure it out together.

(416) 582-7394
counsel@obsidraethspire.info
Schedule a Consultation