Atty. Ellen Joan Bessner
Ellen Bessner is an experienced, tough-minded commercial litigator, known for her determination and common sense advice. After 25 years of practice on Bay Street at prominent Canadian law firms, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Gowling WLG, Ellen joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2014, where she is a leader in commercial and securities litigation, employment litigation, insurance defence, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, class actions, and regulatory matters.
Profile Summary
About Ellen Joan Bessner at a glance
Ellen Joan Bessner is a employment, business, and litigation attorney based in Toronto, Ontario, practicing at Babin Bessner Spry LLP. They have 38+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1988. Admitted to practice in Ontario, Law Society of Ontario (1988). Educated at Osgoode Hall Law School (J.D., 1987). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate and Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Labour and Employment Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in Toronto, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Ellen Bessner is an experienced, tough-minded commercial litigator, known for her determination and common sense advice
- After 25 years of practice on Bay Street at prominent Canadian law firms, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Gowling WLG, Ellen joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2014, where she is a leader in commercial and securities litigation, employment litigation, insurance defence, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, class actions, and regulatory matters
- She is regularly retained to advise boards of directors and senior officers on compliance issues
- Ellen has acted as counsel before every level of the Ontario courts and in many arbitrations and regulatory proceedings, including before the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO), Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO, formerly the MFDA and IIROC), and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)
- Ellen is the author of the bestselling book Advisor at Risk: a roadmap to protecting your business and has recently written the sequel Communication Risk: how to bridge the client-advisor gap to protect and grow your business
- Her books are leading risk management tools for professionals in the financial services industry
- She is an expert speaker in the area of risk and writes on the subject in the national, business and industry press
- Ellen is a gifted public speaker and frequently delivers her popular and effective training programs across Canada to a range of professionals, including C-suite teams, boards of directors, management teams, and regulated professionals (accountants, financial and investment advisors, lawyers, planners, and portfolio managers)
- These programs cover a range of liability, ethics, and compliance issues, and they are designed to help reduce litigation and regulatory risk
- In 2016, Ellen was appointed to the OSC’s Seniors Expert Advisory Committee and sits on the board of Embark Student Corp
Practice Areas Explained
Ellen Joan Bessner's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Ellen Joan Bessner handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Ellen Joan Bessner is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ontario →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Ellen Joan Bessner is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Ontario →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Ellen Joan Bessner is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ontario
Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Toronto are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Toronto or all attorneys in Ontario.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Ellen Joan Bessner
Where is Ellen Joan Bessner's law office located?
What practice areas does Ellen Joan Bessner handle?
How long has Ellen Joan Bessner practiced law?
Where did Ellen Joan Bessner go to law school?
How can I contact Ellen Joan Bessner for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Ellen Joan Bessner received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.