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    Contact Paula Wright at 416-646-7406
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  1. Interac e-Transfer: Send funds to trustpayments@paliareroland.com. Please ensure to state your name, file matter number and password details to trustpayments@paliareroland.com.
  2. Credit Card via telephone (Visa or Mastercard only): Contact Paula Wright at 416-646-7406
Partner

Megan Shortreed

B. Sc. (Hons.), LL.B.

Megan Shortreed is senior counsel with deep experience in corporate, commercial, employment, civil and estates litigation, as well as professional regulation. She argues cases involving shareholder and partnership disputes, duties of directors and employees, trusts and estates, product liability and other complex commercial cases. She acts often on behalf of senior executives respecting their compensation, employment contracts or termination from employment, and on behalf of employers, employees and complainants in respect of sensitive workplace investigations. She also acts as an independent investigator and adjudicator. Megan has extensive hearings experience before professional disciplinary tribunals.

 

In 2014, Megan became the inaugural recipient of Honsberger Award, the Toronto Lawyers Association award in recognition of ongoing contributions to the legal community and the community at large. In 2020, she was named to Benchmark’s Top 50 Women in Litigation in Canada and in 2021, she was named Health Law Litigator of the year by Benchmark Canada.

 

A devoted mentor and educator, Megan participates regularly as a panelist and instructor at law schools and professional CLE programs. Megan is a Bencher (director) of the Law Society of Ontario and was an adjudicator in the Hearing and Appeals Divisions of the Law Society Tribunal from 2019 to 2021. She is a former director of the Law Society Foundation, The Advocates’ Society, and former Chair of the Homes First Foundation.

Education

  • Dalhousie University, LL.B., 1995
  • Queen's University, B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry, 1992
  • Certificate, Effective Adjudication, Society of Adjudicators and Regulators, 2019

Bar Admissions

  • Ontario, 1997

Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
  • Bencher, Law Society of Ontario (2019 to present)
  • Director, Law Society Foundation (2019 to 2023)
  • Editorial Board, Commercial Litigation and Arbitration Review (2012 to present)
  • The Advocates' Society - Board of Directors (2014 - 2018)
  • The Advocates' Society
  • Toronto Lawyers' Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Women's Law Association of Ontario

Awards and Honours

  • Lexpert Special Edition on Litigation - Recognized as a leader in Litigation - Corporate Commercial - 2023
  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 - Corporate and Commercial Litigation (Since 2014), Health Care Law, Labour and Employment Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Benchmark Litigation - Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation - 2023
  • The Advocates’ Society Excellence in Teaching Award - 2023
  • Benchmark Litigation - Top 100 Women in Canadian Litigation, Litigation Star - 2022
  • Benchmark Litigation Canada - Health Law / Medical Litigator of the Year - 2021
  • Chambers Canada - Litigation: General Commercial - Ontario
  • Benchmark Litigation - Top 50 Women in Litigation in Canada, Litigation Star - 2020
  • Lexpert/American Lawyer - Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada - 2019
  • Globe and Mail's Lexpert/Report on Business Magazine - Leading Litigation Lawyer - 2018, 2019
  • Lexpert Zenith Award - Celebrating women in the legal profession - 2017
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory - Consistently Recommended - Litigation - Corporate Commercial - Since 2015
  • Best Lawyers in Canada - Corporate and Commercial Litigation - Since 2014
  • Benchmark Litigation Canada - Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys - Litigation Star for General Commercial Litigation - Since 2014
  • Honsberger Award - Presented by the Toronto Lawyers Association in recognition of ongoing contributions to the legal community and the community at large - Inaugural recipient - 2014

Representative Work

  • Selection of representative reported cases:

     

    • Brewer v. Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, 2021 ONSC 5697
    • Magnotta Winery Corporation v. Ontario (The Alcohol and Gaming Commission), 2020 ONSC 561
    • Berg v. Jaylevy Limited, 2019 ONSC 2255
    • College of Nurses of Ontario v. Wettlaufer, 2017 CanLII 77173
    • 1217174 Ontario Ltd. v. 141608 Canada Inc., 2017 ONSC 7698
    • Maple Bank GmbH (Re), 2017 ONSC 2536
    • Neuberger v. York, 2016 ONCA 191
    • UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. v. Honeywell et al., 2015 ONSC 1734
    • Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. v. Honeywell et al., 2015 ONCA 88
    • Nortel Networks Corporation (Re), 2015 ONSC 2987
    • Chuang v. Toyota Canada Inc., 2013 ONSC 3235
    • Plourde (Re), 2012 CanLII 66779 (ON OCCO)
    • Sazant v. R.M. and C.I.C.B., 2010 ONSC 4273 (CanLII)
    • Capobianco v. Paige, 2009 CanLII 29899 (Ont. S.C.J.)
    • Hooper v. College of Nurses of Ontario (2006), 81 OR (3d) 296 (Ont. Div. Ct.)
    • Congrégation des témoins de Jéhovah de St-Jérôme-Lafontaine v. Lafontaine (Village), [2004] 2 S.C.R. 650
    • Lederer v. 372116 Ontario Limited (2001), 53 OR (3d) 203 (Ont. CA)
    • Filion v. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2000), 49 OR (3d) 364 (Ont. S.C.J.)
    • Francis v. Baker, [1999] 3 S.C.R. 250

     

Community Involvement

  • Bencher, Law Society of Ontario – Current

  • Director, Law Society Foundation – Current

  • Active in legal education and mentoring young lawyers

  • Participates regularly as panelist and instructor at law schools and professional CLE programs

  • Former board member – the Advocates’ Society

  • Former co-chair of the Law Society’s Justicia Project for the retention of women in private practice

  • Served for ten years as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Homes First Foundation – a charitable organization which raises funds to break the cycle of homelessness in Toronto. Homes First operates 16 shelter and housing sites in Toronto. Paliare Roland is a major supporter of several worthy charities including Home First

Publications

  • Disposition without Trial: A Review of the Application of Ontario’s Rule 20 and 21 – Annual Review of Civil Litigation 2001, T. Archibald and M. Cochrane, eds. (Toronto: Carswell, 2002), pp. 69-81. (with Linda Rothstein)

  • Book Review – Sexual Harassment: A Guide for Understanding and Prevention by Arjun P. Aggarwal – 3 Dal. J. Leg. Stud – 1994

  • Various chemistry papers and posters, including publications in Inorganic Chemistry and Z. Naturforsch, A: Phys. Sci.

Presentations

  • Speaker – Parental Leave and Practicing Law: How are Lawyers Making it Work? – Toronto Lawyers’ Association – March 9, 2022

  • Panelist – Bencher Election Series! What is a Bencher? – Women’s Law Association of Ontario – February 17, 2022

  • Speaker – “Controlling the Difficult Witness” at Examinations for Discovery: Block Two: Discovery Questions and Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – November 16, 2021

  • Speaker – The New Anti-Money Laundering Requirements: What You Need to Know Before January 1, 2022 – Law Society of Ontario – November 12, 2021

  • Panelist – Will Challenge Series – Mastering the Trial – Ontario Bar Association – August 17, 2021

  • Trainer – Advocacy Skills Training Series for Members of Roundtable of Diversity Associations – RODA and The Advocates’ Society – March 6, 2021

  • Featured Speaker – Arguing the Facts and Law in Your Factum, 24th Annual Course on Written Advocacy – Joint Program of The Advocates’ Society and Osgoode Professional Development – November 2020 (replayed in 2021)

  • Mentor – Advocacy Skills Training Series for Members of Roundtable of Diversity Associations Associations – RODA and The Advocates’ Society – October 19, 2020

  • Speaker – “Mediations”, Litigating An Employment File, The Essential Course – Ontario Bar Association – October 14, 2020

  • Co-Chair – Privilege: A Litigator’s Guide – The Advocates’ Society – June 16, 2020

  • Trainer – Advocacy Skills Training Series for Members of Roundtable of Diversity Associations – Roundtable of Diversity Associations (RODA) and the Advocates’ Society – May 9, 2020

  • Speaker – Principles of Civility for Advocates – The Advocates’ Society – April 29, 2020

  • Mentor – Advocacy Skills Training Series for Members of Roundtable of Diversity Associations – RODA and the Advocates’ Society – February 11, 2020

  • Panelist – Opening Town Hall, Advocacy Skills Training Series for Members of Roundtable of Diversity Associations – RODA and the Advocates’ Society – November 18, 2019

  • Speaker – Employer Liability for Sexual Harassment and Assault – Sexual Misconduct in the #MeToo Era – Osgoode PD – February 7, 2019

  • Speaker – Marshalling the Evidence and Framing the Theory of Your Case – Conducting a Dependant Support Trial – The Advocates’ Society – October 29, 2018

  • Featured Speaker – Arguing the Law in Your Factum – 22nd Annual Course on Written Advocacy – Joint Program of the Advocates’ Society and Osgoode Professional Development – October 26, 2018

  • Co-Chair – Employment Litigation Advocacy – The Advocates’ Society – September 21, 2018

  • Speaker Administrative Tribunal Advocacy – The Advocates’ Society – March 22, 2018

  • Co-Chair – Health Law Litigation – The Advocates’ Society – November 13, 2017

  • Mentor – Women in Litigation Symposium – The Advocates’ Society – October 27, 2017

  • Speaker – Supreme Court Advocacy – The Advocates’ Society – October 20, 2017

  • Faculty – Train the Trainor – The Advocates’ Society – September 15, 2017

  • Guest Instructor and Team Leader – Intensive Trial Program – Osgoode Hall Law School – 2006-2017

  • Speaker – Good Faith in Contractual Performance in Commercial Cases – Spring Symposium – The Advocates’ Society – April 27, 2017

  • Co-Chair – Fall Convention Education Program – The Advocates’ Society – November 11-12, 2016

  • Panelist and Mentor-  Fall Forum – The Advocates’ Society – October 21-22, 2016

  • Speaker – Waiver of Privilege – Understanding and Utilizing Solicitor-Client and Litigation Privilege – The Advocates’ Society – July 19, 2016

  • Co-Chair – Fall Convention Education Program – The Advocates’ Society – November 13-14, 2015

  • Co-Chair – Mastering Winning Discovery Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – October 29, 2015

  • Speaker – 6th Biennial Women in Litigation Symposium – The Advocates’ Society – October 23, 2015

  • Visiting Faculty – Intensive Trial Advocacy Program – University of Notre Dame Law School – 2013 and 2015

  • Speaker – Shining a Spotlight on Arbitrators and Mediators – The Advocates’ Society – April 14, 2015

  • Speaker – Administrative Tribunal Advocacy – The Advocates’ Society – March 24, 2015

  • Speaker – Toronto Courthouse Series: Challenging Credibility – The Advocates’ Society – February 11, 2015

  • Panelist – Advocacy Before Regulatory Tribunals – Fall Convention – The Advocates’ Society – November 7, 2014

  • Mentor – Fall Forum 2014 – The Advocates’ Society – October 25, 2014

  • Panelist – Establishing Your Reputation in the Courtroom –  Fall Forum 2014: Profile Building with a Purpose – The Advocates’ Society – October 24, 2014

  • Co-Chair – Mastering Winning Discovery Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – October 7, 2014

  • Panelist – Crucial Issues in College Investigations – Osgoode Certificate in the Regulations and Discipline of the Health Care Sector – June 4, 2014

  • Workshop Facilitator – Developing Your Skills to Become a Leader – Justicia Symposium – Law Society of Upper Canada – May 28, 2014

  • Mentor – Built to Last – Mentoring Dinner Series – The Advocates’ Society – May 22, 2014

  • Panelist – Designing the Best Procedure for your Case – Effective Litigation – Getting Things Done – Law Society of Upper Canada – April 4, 2014

  • Co-Chair – Leading Your Case: Opening Statements and Examination-in-chief – The Advocates’ Society – December 10, 2013

  • Speaker – Issue Estoppel in Administrative Decisions—Penner and Other Recent Developments – 9th Annual National Forum on Administrative Law and Practice – Osgoode Hall Law School – October 23, 2013

  • Mentor – Women in Litigation Conference – The Advocates’ Society – October 18, 2013

  • Speaker – Strategies for Effective Advocacy Representing Employees – Six-Minute Employment Lawyer – Law Society of Upper Canada – June 15, 2013

  • Mentor – Speed Mentoring – Young Women in Law – June 13, 2013

  • Speaker – Cross-examination and Impeachment Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – March 26, 2013

  • Speaker – Pointed Evidence – 2013 Court House Series – The Advocates’ Society – February 14, 2013

  • Speaker – Examinations, Interviews and Inquiries – Osgoode Short Course on Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases – January 30, 2013

  • Instructor – Evidence for Litigators – The Advocates’ Society – November 6, 2012

  • Speaker and Workshop Instructor – Mastering Winning Discovery Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – October 30, 2012

  • Speaker – Professionalism and Ethics in Administrative Advocacy – 7th Annual National Forum on Administrative Law & Practice – Osgoode Hall Law School – October 23-24, 2012

  • Mentor – Speed Mentoring – Young Women in Law – June 13, 2012

     

  • Speaker – Two Years Plus into the New Rules – Reflections and Suggestions – Civil Litigation Summit – Law Society of Upper Canada – May 22, 2012

  • Instructor – Mastering Winning Discovery Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – October 6, 2011

  • Mentor – Confidence in the Courtroom and Creating Support Systems – Fourth Biennial Women in Litigation Conference – The Advocates’ Society – October 14, 2011

  • Mentor – Building Trusted Client Relationships – Mentoring Dinner Series – The Advocates’ Society – April 7, 2011

  • Instructor –  Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Trial from A to Z – The Advocates’ Society – April 7, 2011

  • Panelist – Examinations, Interviews and Inquiries – Osgoode Short Course on Prosecuting and Defending Professional Discipline Cases – February 16, 2011

  • Speaker – Preparing Effective Pleadings – Preparing Winning Court Documents – The Advocates’ Society program – February 25, 2009, February 23, 2010, February 15, 2011

  • Instructor – Writing for Litigators – CBA Skilled Lawyer Series – November 9, 2010

  • Panelist – Meeting the Challenges of the Current Economy – Law Society of Upper Canada – June 18, 2010

  • Panelist – The Law Society’s Retention of Women Project – One Year Review – Feminist Legal Analysis Section of the Ontario Bar Association – June 3, 2010

  • Speaker – Drafting Effective Materials – Law Society of Upper Canada’s program Pre-Trial Motions for Counsel New to Civil Litigation – April 28, 2010

  • Instructor – Do a Trial! – The Advocates’ Society Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program – March 27, 2010

  • Instructor – Cross-examination: Winning Techniques Used by Skilled Cross-examiners – The Advocates’ Society – March 4, 2010

  • Instructor – The Critical Motion: Adding a Key Party After Expiry of the Limitation Period – The Advocates’ Society Toronto Court House Series: Tackling the Tough Case – February 11, 2010

  • Panel Chair and Speaker – Amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure – The Advocates’ Society Fall Convention – November 14, 2009

  • Instructor – Cross-Examination – Board Member Training – Health Professions Appeal and Review Board – September 29, 2009

  • Instructor – Pre-Hearings – Discipline Committee Training – College of Nurses of Ontario – September 17, 2009

  • Instructor – Do a Trial! – The Advocates’ Society Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program – April 4, 2009

  • Speaker – Stays Pending Arbitration Proceedings – Commercial List Users Committee/OBA Insolvency Law Section/OAIRP Educational Program – June 10, 2008

  • Instructor – Discovery Strategies and Techniques – The Advocates’ Society – February 19, 2008

  • Speaker – Written Expert Reports – Vantage Professional Development’s Expert Witness Training Seminar – November 29, 2007

  • Co-Chair – Junior Counsel Series: ReAct Like a Pro – The Advocates’ Society – October 25, 2007

  • Speaker – Motions Materials – Law Society of Upper Canada’s New Lawyer Practice Series – Civil Litigation – October 10, 2007

  • Faculty – Intensive Motion Drafting Workshop – Osgoode Hall Law School – September 27 and 28, 2007

  • Speaker – 10 Tips for Preparing for Motions Court – The Advocates’ Society Junior Counsel Series: ReAct Like a Pro! – January 11, 2007

  • Co-Chair – Civil Motions Workshop 2006 – The Advocates’ Society – November 4, 2006

  • Program Organizer and Speaker – Cross-examination in a Nutshell – The Advocates’ Society – April 27, 2006

  • Conversation Leader – Litigating for a Lifetime: Making it Work, Making it Worthwhile – The Advocates’ Society, Women Advocates Networking Series – April 5, 2006

  • Panelist and Workshop Faculty – Effective Discoveries – Controlling the Process and Getting the Facts – The Advocates’ Society – Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program – March 29, 2005

  • Presentation – Recent Developments in Professional Regulation – Infonex Conference on Professional Regulation and Discipline:  Effective Ways to Ensure the Accountability and Impartiality of Your Regulatory Body – October 25, 2005

  • Workshop Faculty – Civil Motions Workshop 2004 – The Advocates’ Society – November 6, 2004

  • Panelist – New Lawyer Essential Series: Getting Noticed for All the Right Reasons – The Advocates’ Society – October 7, 2004

  • Workshop Faculty – Advanced Litigation Skills Certificate Program:  Expert Evidence – The Advocates’ Society – April 20, 2004

  • Planning Committee – Civil Motions Workshop 2003 – The Advocates’ Society – November 15, 2003

  • Presentation – Objective Standards: Minimizing Conflict of Interest and Accusations of Bias – Infonex Conference on Professional Regulation and Discipline – September 22, 2003

  • Clinic Leader – Employment Law – Law Society of Upper Canada’s Conference on Advanced Drafting for Lawyers – April 29, 2003

  • Speaker – Law Day Symposium – Toronto Catholic District School Board – April 14, 2003

  • Workshop Leader – Honing Your Investigative Process – Infonex Conference on Professional Discipline and Regulation: How to Run an Effective, Legal and Progressive Professional Regulatory Body – January 22, 2003 (Halifax) and October 24, 2001 (Toronto)

  • Planning Committee – Civil Motions Workshop 2002 – Law Society of Upper Canada and the Advocates’ Society – September 28, 2002

  • Presentation – Avoiding the Pitfalls of Accusations of Bias – Infonex Conference on Training Discipline Committee Members – May 30, 2002

  • Presentation – The Law and the Health Professions – 2001 Small Business Training Session of the Association of Professional Health Care Providers – August 6, 2001

  • Presentation – Business Aspects of Professional Practice – 2000 Small Business Training Session of the Association of Professional Health Care Providers – August 11, 2000