Paola Ramirez

Paola Ramirez is a strategic litigator who helps clients navigate complex business disputes. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly shareholder and corporate governance matters, intellectual property issues and product liability claims. She regularly provides counsel on cases involving shareholder oppression, director and officer liability and commercial disputes where regulatory and reputational issues are at play. Having appeared before all levels of Court in Ontario, Paola is experienced in seeking urgent relief to protect her clients’ business interests.

Trusted for her responsiveness, as well as her sharp and decisive advocacy, Paola advises Canadian and international clients across a wide range of industries, notably the hospitality, technology and mining sectors, in high-stakes disputes that often involve cross-border elements and reputational or regulatory considerations. Additionally, Paola represents clients in both domestic and international arbitration, offering practical and well-prepared advice while helping to assess risk and identify strategic paths forward.

Furthermore, Paola plays an active role in mentorship and professional development within the firm, and is deeply committed to using her legal skills to support individuals and communities through her pro bono work.

Expertise

Practices

Representative Matters

Acted for a minority shareholder in an oppression claim involving a Canadian mining company with operations in South America
Represented a global technology company in a cross-border arbitration and related enforcement proceedings arising from a distribution dispute
Defended a manufacturer in a product liability and reputational risk matter involving allegedly defective components used in residential and commercial plumbing systems
Acted in appeals under section 45 of the Trademarks Act, including before the Federal Court, successfully defending trademark rights against non-use allegations
Represented a Canadian licensee in a trademark infringement and breach of contract dispute involving unauthorized use of branding and parallel commercial activities
Advised a U.S.-based investor in a post-acquisition dispute concerning earnout provisions and the adequacy of financial disclosures
Acted in an arbitration between joint venture partners in the mining industry following a breakdown in commercial relations
Provided strategic litigation advice to international clients involved in Canadian proceedings connected to broader multi-jurisdictional disputes
Advised on shareholder disputes involving allegations of oppression, misuse of corporate assets, and board deadlock, with remedies sought including corporate reorganization and director removal

News

Rankings & Recognition

University of Windsor Faculty of Law, Dean’s list
University of Detroit Mercy Faculty of Law, Dean’s list
Zuber Moot – Top Finalist

Community Involvement

Duty Counsel, Pro Bono Law Ontario

Directorships & Affiliations

The Advocates’ Society
Law Society of Ontario
Ontario Bar Association

Education & Admissions

2019

Called to the Ontario bar

2018

JD (cum laude) University of Windsor

2014

BA (cum laude) University of Ottawa

Publications

“Franchising in Canada: 2022 Year in Review,” (January 2023)
“UNITED STATES: All I Want for Christmas Is a Trademark,” INTA (December 21, 2022)
“Intellectual Property 2021 Year in Review” (January 2022)
“Watch As That Construction Trust is Swept Away“, Construction Law Letter (January 2022)
“The Balancing of Privacy Rights and The Open Court Principle: Disclosure of Private Information in Litigation,” Canadian Privacy Law Review, Vol 18, No. 10 (September 2021)
“More than freedom of expression: The Supreme Court of Canada weighs in with Pointes and Platnick,” The Advocate’s Quarterly, Vol 51, p. 463-501 (2021)
“Does a Right to a Physical Hearing Exist in International Arbitration?” International Council for Commercial Arbitration (February 2021)

Insights (20 Posts)View More

Put Your Best Foot Forward: New Evidence Requirements for Trademark Appeals

Discussion of amendments to Canada's Trademarks Act impacting timing of delivery of evidence to the Trademark Opposition Board or later to the Federal Courts.

Apr 30, 2025

Building Uniformity: Saskatchewan’s Franchise Disclosure Act Receives Royal Assent

First introduced last fall, Saskatchewan’s Bill 149, The Franchise Disclosure Act, received Royal Assent on May 8, 2024 (the “Act”).[1] In doing so, Saskatchewan now joins British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island as the seventh Canadian province to enact franchise-specific legislation.

Jun 4, 2024

What Has the Law Done About “Deepfake”?

Deep fake technology, legal recourse available to victims of deep fake technology, tort of false light, defamation.

May 10, 2023

Ontario’s Court of Appeal Clarifies Class Member’s Appeal Rights Post Settlement Approval

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear a class action appeal despite a settlement agreement limiting appeal rights.

Mar 1, 2022

Business Interruption Losses: Who is to Pay during the Pandemic?

Insurance coverage for business interruption losses has become a notable subject of litigation as pandemic-related claims make their way through the courts.

Nov 8, 2021

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms: CCAA Super-Priority Charges Rank Ahead of CRA’s Deemed Trusts

Canada v. Canada North Group Inc. provided much needed clarity regarding the order of priority for unremitted source deductions in restructuring proceedings.

Sep 17, 2021

Watch as that Trust is Swept Away

Suppliers and subcontractors in the construction industry should be mindful of a recent unreported decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Jul 30, 2021

The Balancing of Privacy Rights and the Open Court Principle: Disclosure of Private Information in Litigation

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Sherman Estate v Donovan offers clarity on when the open court principle will give ground to the right to privacy.

Jun 23, 2021

Commercial Leases During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Where are we Headed?

Ontario has also passed legislation to protect commercial tenants.

May 17, 2021

Ontario Court of Appeal Interprets the TSX’s Majority Voting Requirement, Considers the Oppression Remedy, and Clarifies Set-off Rights

A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal interprets the Toronto Stock Exchange requirement that listed companies adopt a majority voting policy.

Apr 16, 2021

‘Why’d Ya Do It?’ The Supreme Court of Canada Explains the Duty to Exercise Contractual Discretion in Good Faith

The SCC recently released its long awaited decision in Wastech Services Ltd v Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District.

Feb 17, 2021

You should have said something: Supreme Court of Canada Holds That Failure to Correct a Mistaken Belief Violated the Duty of Honest Contractual Performance

The authors discuss the Supreme Court of Canada's recent decision in C.M. Callow Inc. v. Tammy Zollinger et. al. regarding the duty of faith.

Dec 23, 2020

Supreme Court of Canada’s Uber Ruling Provides a Roadmap to Navigate between Arbitration and Class Actions

Discussion of the effect of the Supreme Court of Canada's decision re Uber drivers class action which invalidated a widely used arbitration clause

Jun 29, 2020

Litigating During COVID-19: Still Possible

A summary of the key ways to advance or continue litigation during the pandemic.

May 20, 2020

An Unsigned Certificate Remains a Fatal Franchise Disclosure Document Flaw in a Post-Raibex World

An Ontario Superior Court decision confirms that an unsigned certificate accompanying a Franchise Disclosure Document can constitute a fatal flaw entitling a franchisee to rescind the agreement.

Feb 19, 2020

The Supreme Court of Canada Will Revisit the Duty of Good Faith Six Years After Bhasin

The authors discuss two appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the scope and nature of the contratual duty of good faith.

Jan 31, 2020

Ontario Makes Changes to Court Procedures

Nov 4, 2019

Alberta Court of Appeal Ranks CCAA Super-priority Charges Ahead of CRA’s Deemed Trust, but Uncertainty Remains

Alberta Court of Appeal held super-priority charges granted in a Companies' Creditor Arrangement Act proceeding may take priority over statutory deemed trusts claims advanced by the Crown

Oct 22, 2019

Budget 2019: New Excise Duty Regime For Three New Classes of Legalized Cannabis Products, and GST/HST Amendments for Health Care and Zero-Emission Passenger Vehicles

Currently, under the Cannabis Act,[1] there are five classes of legal cannabis, namely, fresh/dried cannabis, cannabis oil, cannabis plant seeds, and cannabis plants.

Mar 29, 2019

Is your site ready for recreational cannabis?

Existing workplace policies will need to be adjusted when recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada on October 17, 2018.

Sep 5, 2018