Jeff Rosekat

Jeff Rosekat is a partner and Chair of the Canadian Litigation Practice Group, where international and domestic arbitration sits at the centre of a practice that also spans complex commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, insolvency and creditors’ rights, and professional liability. He moves comfortably between the courtroom and the arbitral tribunal, advising clients from entrepreneurs and start-ups to publicly traded companies, institutional lenders, and multinational companies. Throughout, his focus is on spotting commercial risk early enough that a client can correct course before it hardens into a dispute.

Jeff treats persuasive storytelling as one of an advocate’s sharpest tools and focusses on using plain language in his work rather than complex and dense legalese. That habit traces back to his undergrad in English Literature and an earlier career in business communications and technical writing, where the job was always to deliver clear and simple messages about often-complex ideas, systems, and products.

Jeff went to Osgoode Hall Law School at York University after studying English Literature as an undergrad at University of Waterloo. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked in government communications, software development, and as a textbook copy editor.

• Acted as counsel to an American transportation company in an international arbitration under the ICDR Rules, defending against allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of an asset purchase agreement.
• Advised an investment firm navigating an international arbitration under the AAA Rules involving allegations of breach of contract.
• Represented a telecommunications company based outside Canada in a multifaceted arbitration spanning procurement, software development, and privacy issues arising from an alleged breach of contract.
• Represented the majority shareholders of a large, third-generation family-owned heavy construction business in a domestic arbitration, defending against oppression allegations brought by a minority shareholder.
• Represented a large Canadian company in a commercial arbitration dealing with performance issues under a software development agreement.
• Canadian counsel to a German insolvent company in Canadian foreign recognition proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
• Provided advice on high-level risk recognition, management, and resolution to a large, sophisticated family-owned business running a chain of retail mobile telephone stores at malls across Canada.
• Acted as independent counsel to a Court-Appointed Sales Officer in a shareholder dispute involving a portfolio of high-rise residential rental apartment buildings, maintaining a firmly neutral position while assisting the Sales Officer in ultimately recovering significantly higher value than the initial offer.