Call us: (905) 366 9700
Susanne M. Balpataky

EDUCATION

  • LL.B. – Osgoode Hall Law School – 1986-1989
  • Hons. B.A. (with distinction) – Trinity College, University of Toronto – 1982-1986

PRIOR LAW FIRM EXPERIENCE

  • Smith, Lyons, Torrance, Stevenson & Mayer (now Gowling WLG LLP)

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Ontario Bar

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • conversational French
  • some Hungarian

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

  • Director of the Mississauga Board of Trade ("MBOT") (2016-present)
  • Chair of the Nominating Committee – MBOT (2021)
  • Member of the Governance Committee, MBOT
  • Member of the Policy and Government Affairs Committee, MBOT
  • Member of Judging Committee – MBOT Awards of Excellence (2018-present)
  • Immediate Past Chair of MBOT(2020-2021)
  • Chair of MBOT (2019 to 2020)
  • Member of Executive Committee of MBOT (2016-2021)
  • Law Society of Upper Canada: drafter of Bar Admissions Exam questions in Civil Litigation (2010-present)
  • Member of the Ontario Bar Association (past member of Governing Council)
  • Member of the Canadian Bar Association
  • Member of Peel Law Association (Director and Committee Chair 2002-2011)
  • Past Member of Brampton Business and Professional Women’s Club (Director 1997-2000; Past President 2001-2003)

Susanne M. Balpataky

Partner

tel: (905) 366-9700 x228
fax: (905) 366-9707
e-mail: susanne@ontlaw.com
PROFILE
ARTICLES + SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Susanne is an experienced commercial litigator and employment lawyer who has practiced at Speigel Nichols Fox LLP since joining the firm in 1991.

Her commercial litigation practice encompasses a broad range of matters including commercial contract disputes, shareholder disputes, negligence and breach of trust claims, mortgage fraud, and fraudulent conveyances, as well as enforcement of creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and insolvency matters, and estate litigation.

Susanne also has extensive expertise in employment law acting for both employers and employees in litigation matters. She also routinely advises her employer clients on day-to-day employment and human resource-related (including Ontario Human Rights Code)  issues and workplace policies with a view to avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation. Her prior experience working at the Ontario Human Rights Commission has proved invaluable in also acting for employer respondents in human rights complaints.

Susanne has written articles and spoken on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace and its impact on employers’ rights and obligations.

Susanne has appeared as lead counsel on matters before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (including the Commercial List, Bankruptcy Court and Estates Court), the Ontario Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Susanne has also ventured on safari and looked deeply and lovingly into the eyes of a giraffe. She did not do the same with the lions.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Represented plaintiff shareholder in oppression proceedings
  • Represented corporate plaintiff in fraud and breach of fiduciary claim against former employee
  • Represented plaintiff mortgage lender in action for fraud and conspiracy against numerous parties including mortgage broker, appraiser, and realtor
  • Represented plaintiffs in professional negligence claims
  • Represented plaintiffs in fraudulent conveyance, constructive trust, and resulting trust claims
  • Represented condominium developer in claim by purchasers for breach of contract and specific performance
  • Represented business owners in contract disputes and collection matters
  • Represented plaintiff/applicant in proceedings for world-wide Mareva injunction and Norwich order
  • Represented estate trustee in resulting trust application and removal of estate trustee application
  • Represented estate trustee in Will challenge
  • Represented applicant in statutory guardianship application
  • Represented beneficiary under a will in resolution of dependant’s relief claim
  • Represented parties in Estate litigation and Estate disputes, including a contested application for the passing of accounts
  • Represented employers and employees in wrongful dismissal and human rights litigation
  • Advised employers and employees on issues surrounding workplace investigations Represented respondent employers in Employment Standards Act complaints
  • Represented respondents in Ontario Human Rights Code applications
  • Represented defendants in power of sale proceedings involving issue of capacity to contract and non est factum
  • Represented major financial institutions in collection of outstanding commercial and retail debts, including by way of mortgage enforcement proceedings
  • Represented major financial institutions and trustees in numerous proceedings in Bankruptcy Court
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