SNF News

Timothy Morgan and Allison Speigel Both Named as a “Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer”

SNF is pleased to announce that Timothy Morgan and Allison Speigel have both been named as a “Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer.” This recognition is based on independent client nominations submitted to Thomson Reuters as part of its global research with senior in-house counsel and reflects being identified as one of the three most outstanding lawyers with whom a client has worked over the past three years. Congratulations to both Timothy and Allison on this well-deserved recognition.

Civil Rules Review Final Policy Report

The Civil Rules Review, co-chaired by Allison Speigel and Justice Cary Boswell, delivered its final policy report to Attorney General Doug Downey and the Chief Justice Morawetz of the Superior Court. In it, they have proposed bold reforms to reshape the civil litigation system in Ontario.

Krystyne Rusek Recognized by Best Lawyers 2026

Speigel Nichols Fox LLP is delighted to have Krystyne Rusek recognized for a second year in a row by Best Lawyers 2026 in the area of Trusts and Estates in Canada.

Krystyne Rusek Elected to the Trusts and Estates Section Executive of the OBA

Speigel Nichols Fox LLP is delighted to announce that Krystyne Rusek has been elected to the Trusts and Estates Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association.  A record number of members stepped forward for the 2025–2026 Section Executive nominations, so this win is especially meaningful.  Krystyne will be serving as a member at-large and continuing her work as the Section Liaison for the OBA’s Civil Rules Review Working Group.  Krystyne has served four previous terms on the Executive, as Public Affairs Liaison and as Technology Liaison.  Congratulations again to Krystyne on her election!

The Civil Rules Review Releases Phase 2 Consultation Paper

The Civil Rules Review was launched by Attorney General Doug Downey and Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz with a mandate to identify issues and develop proposals for reforming the Rules of Civil Procedure to make civil court proceedings more efficient, affordable, and accessible. As the Chief Justice made clear in his remarks at the Opening of the Courts Ceremony, the objective is not just to tinker with the Rules, it is wholesale reform.

On April 1, 2025, the CRR released its Phase 2 Consultation Paper, which provides a comprehensive overview of the reforms the CRR is proposing. The Phase 2 Consultation Report can be found here: https://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/files/pubs/Civil-Rules-Review-2025-phase-two-EN.pdf

The co-chairs of the CRR, Justice Cary Boswell and SNF partner, Allison Speigel, will be discussing the proposed reforms at two up-coming virtual events put on by the Advocates’ Society and Toronto Lawyers’ Association:

• https://advocates.ca/TAS/Events/Showcase_Pages/Overhauling_Ontarios_Civil_Rules_Proposed_Changes.aspx?EventKey=ONRULES25&utm_source=TAS&utm_campaign=a4d4baf156-ed-rules-april-2-25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a4d4baf156-443965443
• https://www.tlaonline.ca/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=300877

Krystyne Rusek’s Appointment by the Executive of the Trusts and Estates Section of the OBA

Krystyne Rusek has been appointed by the Executive of the Trusts and Estates Section of the OBA to act as the liaison for the OBA’s Civil Rules Review Taskforce.  The Taskforce will be making submissions to the Civil Rules Review Group, co-Chaired by Allison Speigel and the Honourable Justice Cary Boswell, and participating in consultations regarding a proposed overhaul of the Rules of Civil Procedure.

The Opening of the Courts: Chief Justice Morawetz’s Speech

On September 23, 2024, Chief Justice Morawetz gave a speech at the annual Opening of the Courts, in which he provided an update on the work of the Civil Rules Review, which our own Allison Speigel is co-chairing along with Justice Cary Boswell.

His remarks concerning the work of the Civil Rules Review were as follows:

“One significant measure towards addressing our Court’s backlog and the culture of complacency in the area of Civil, is a commitment to a complete reform of the Civil Rules of Procedure.  Rules that have not been updated for 40 years.

Last Fall, Attorney General Doug Downey and I announced a Civil Rules Review. We assembled a team dedicated to this work.  It is co-chaired by Justice Cary Boswell and Allison Speigel, and includes members of the judiciary, members of the private and public bar and expert legal academics.

The group launched phase one of their work in January.

From the outset, I hoped for bold and inspired thinking.

Krystyne Rusek and Jennifer Lake co-author article, “Bifurcation in Estate Litigation”

Krystyne Rusek recently chaired Essential Updates on Court Processes for Estate Litigators, with fellow estate litigators, Matthew Rendely of Loopstra Nixon LLP and Priyanka Bahl of Elm Law.

Topics covered included bifurcation and new Rule 6.1.01 in estate proceedings, dismissal for delay in estate matters, and using Calendly on the Estates List and in other courts.

Krystyne’s paper on Bifurcation in Estate Litigation, co-authored with Jennifer Lake, covers the principles applied in ordering bifurcation, as well as case law under the new rule and possible application in estate matters.

Krystyne Rusek’s Appointment as Technology Liaison for the Trusts and Estate Law Section Executive of the OBA

Congratulations to our Krystyne Rusek for her appointment as the Technology Liaison for the Trusts and Estate Law Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA). The OBA, a branch of the Canadian Bar Associations, represents close to 17,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers and law students from across the province, and the voice of Ontario’s legal profession. Krystyne’s dedication and expertise promise to enrich her practice, strengthen our firm, and enhance the service we provide to our clients while advancing the profession.

Krystyne Rusek Presents at Knowledge Hub 2024

On April 25, 2024, Krystyne Rusek, counsel with Speigel Nichols Fox LLP, presented at the Knowledge Hub 2024: Churches, Charities and Not-for-Profits.