LAWYERS

Dan Thomas is a litigator with over 15 years of experience in complex trial advocacy and strategy. He maintains a practice which focuses on commercial litigation and includes white collar defence and investigations. 

Prior to becoming a partner at the firm, Dan practised as a barrister in England & Wales for 12 years, following which he was invited to join the litigation group of one of Canada’s leading national firms in 2019. 

In Canada, Dan has acted in commercial litigation matters, including international arbitrations, on behalf of some of Canada’s major corporations and financial institutions. Dan has consolidated his strategic and advocacy skills in navigating sensitive litigation and investigations for organizations, corporations, and private individuals dealing with business disruption, governmental and regulatory intervention, and reputational risk. In addition, Dan has acted as a trusted advisor in matters involving complex and cross-border investigations, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and white-collar defence, enforcement and compliance. 

Dan’s practice includes the resolution of insurance coverage disputes, including directors’ and officers’, errors and omissions, crime bonds, general liability, cyber, fidelity, and commercial coverage matters. Recently, Dan was an integral member of a team of counsel representing a financial institution in one of the largest fidelity bond claims in Canadian history arising from a $1.2-billion Ponzi scheme.

During his time at the UK Bar, Dan represented clients before all levels of court and various administrative and disciplinary tribunals. He gained extensive experience in commercial and civil litigation. In recognition of his skills and experience, Dan was appointed to the selective Attorney General’s Panels of Counsel in civil and regulatory law. As part of his work for the Attorney General, Dan acted for government departments and agencies in sensitive, high-profile matters. Dan also appeared as counsel in numerous complex white collar and regulatory jury trials. Dan’s experience in white collar investigations was reflected by his appointment to the UK Serious Fraud Office Panel of Counsel. 

Dan received his LLB (Hons) with Merit from the University of Nottingham in 2004. Whilst at law school, Dan was awarded an overseas scholarship at the National University of Singapore. After being called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2005, Dan received his LLM in International Business Law with Distinction from the University of Manchester in 2007. He then completed his pupillage/articles at a commercial set of chambers in Inner Temple, London in 2008. Dan was called to the Ontario Bar in 2020.

Awards & Recognition

During his career in the UK, Dan was consistently recognised as a leading barrister by the Chambers & Partners UK Bar and the Legal 500 UK. 

Chambers & Partners UK Bar – Financial Crime

“He is hard-working, well prepared and has a good court manner that judges like.” “He is calm under pressure and shows high levels of preparation.” 2021

“One of the stars of the junior Bar in the North”. “He is extremely charismatic, user-friendly and thorough. He is exceptionally bright, very talented and very measured.” 2020

“A quality barrister…very hard-working and responsive. He is very bright, calm in court and has an extensive knowledge of the law.” 2019

Legal 500 UK Bar: Ranked: Tier 1 Business Crime – 2021 & 2022

“Very strong on the law and always accessible.” 2020

“A tactically aware and highly effective advocate.” 2019

“Succinct and pragmatic.” 2017 

Speaking Engagements & Publications

Speaker, “Hot Topics in Enforcement: Trends and Issues in Quasi-Criminal Proceedings, & Privacy, Confidentiality and Self-Incrimination Concerns in Enforcement Matters”, The Advocates’ Society — 13^th Annual Securities Symposium, September 28, 2023

Author. "The Dawn of the Single-Stock ETF in Canada prompts less regulatory alarm than in the US", August 21 2023

Co-Author, “Only The Strongest Survive M&A Litigation — The Importance of Robust Survival Clauses”, M&A Risk Advisor, December 13, 2022