Denise Cooney

Denise Cooney is a thoughtful and practical advocate who is a trusted advisor to her clients. She has both a deep knowledge of the law and an understanding of the interpersonal dynamics underlying disputes. Denise acts for clients in complex commercial, estates, and employment disputes, as well as administrative law and appeals. She has experience in acting for clients at all levels of court in Ontario and before numerous administrative bodies. Outside of her practice, Denise volunteers at Pro Bono Ontario, The Advocates’ Society, and has taught legal research and writing at the University of Toronto. She is a frequent speaker and contributor to continuing legal education programs within and outside the firm. She is also a mentor to students and junior lawyers. Denise clerked for the judges of the Court of Appeal for Ontario prior to starting her practice with the firm.
Education
- University of Toronto, J.D., 2012
- Queen's University, M.A., 2009
- University of Western Ontario, B.A. (Hons.), 2008
Bar Admissions
- Ontario, 2013
Professional Affiliations
- Ontario Bar Association
- The Advocates' Society
Awards and Honours
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Best Lawyers in Canada 2025 – Administrative and Public Law, Health Care Law, Labour and Employment Law, Trusts and Estates
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Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada 2024 - Corporate and Commercial Litigation Labour and Employment Law, Trusts and Estates
Representative Work
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Justice Dietrich gave directions clarifying legal title to real property where the deceased had dealt with title without his spouse’s consent: Berg v. Jaylevy Limited, 2019 ONSC 2255. Megan Shortreed and Denise Cooney acted for the Estate Trustees.
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Denise successfully represented a complainant in a sexual assault claim with respect to a decision of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The Health Professions Appeal Review Board concluded that the Committee’s decision was unreasonable. The Committee subsequently referred the allegations of the physician’s professional misconduct to the Discipline Committee of the College: L. F. v B. C. T. (2017 CanLII 62882) (ON HPARB).
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Rob Centa, Kris Borg-Olivier and Denise Cooney successfully represented Brandon Moyse in proceedings brought by Mr. Moyse’s former employer in The Catalyst Capital Group Inc. v Moyse.
They successfully defended the employee in contempt proceedings in which Mr. Moyse’s former employer sought to have him sent to prison for breach of a court order (2015 ONSC 4388). Subsequently, they successfully moved to have the employer’s appeal to the Court of Appeal from that decision quashed (2015 ONCA 784), and to the Divisional Court dismissed for delay (2016 ONSC 554).
At the trial of the action, the plaintiff advanced the tort of spoliation against Mr. Moyse, the first time such a claim had been advanced to trial in Ontario. The court dismissed the action against Mr. Moyse in its entirety (2016 ONSC 5271). Mr. Moyse was wholly successful on appeal. The Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed the appeal from the trial judge, and the motion for leave to appeal the costs decision (The Catalyst Capital Group Inc. v. Moyse (2018 ONCA 283).
Community Involvement
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Past member of The Advocates’ Society Young Advocates Standing Committee
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Represents Registered Early Childhood Educators through Pro Bono Ontario in professional discipline proceedings on a pro bono basis
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Acted as duty counsel to self-represented litigants appearing before the Court of Appeal for Ontario’s motions court, and Superior Court of Justice Civil Practice Court
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Provides legal assistance to low-income self-represented litigants at Pro Bono Ontario
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Volunteers at University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law providing coaching and guidance to students participating in the school’s moot programs, mentoring law students through its alumni mentorship program, and speaking to high school students as part of its programs for youth
Presentations
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Co-Chair Civil Appeals: The Year in Review 2024 – December 2024
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Presenter – Writing a Factum in 2024: Issues & Tips – Law Society of Ontario – June 2024
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Presenter – Civil Appeals: The Year in Review 2023 – Law Society of Ontario – December 2023
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Presenter – Civil Appeals: The Year in Review 2022 – Law Society of Ontario – December 2022
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Presenter – Civil Appeals: The Year in Review 2021 – Law Society of Ontario – December 2021