Reuben Rothstein

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Reuben represents clients in complex and high-profile commercial disputes and has significant experience in white-collar crime and fraud litigation.

With a pragmatic approach to resolving complicated situations, Reuben has helped clients in a wide array of matters, including breach of contract cases, injunctions, employment-related matters and the enforcement of foreign judgments. Reuben has unique expertise in digital asset tracing and recovery, and co-leads the firm’s Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets Group.

Reuben helps clients navigate all stages of litigation, from pre-suit through appeal. He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario. In addition to litigating, Reuben advises clients on business issues such as contract drafting and litigation risk management.

Outside the courtroom, Reuben remains dedicated to the law and community service. He is an Honor Roll Volunteer with Pro Bono Ontario and holds leadership positions on the New Lawyers Committee of the Toronto Lawyers Association and the Young Lawyers Committee of the Defence Research Institute.

Expertise

Practices

Representative Matters

Representing a publicly traded company in an action against a former employee who defrauded the company. Obtained and executed Mareva and Norwich injunctions.

Representing a cannabis company in a now stayed action by a former shareholder, alleging breach of contract, fraud and conversion.

Spasiw et al v. Quality Green Inc. et al, 2023 ONSC 4422

Representing a cryptocurrency investor in an action against a hacker related to alleged fraud, conversion, and market manipulation. Obtained and executed first Anton Piller order on cryptocurrency in Canada.

Representing the Regional Municipality of Halton in an action against multiple defendants related to alleged fraud, conversion, breach of trust and conspiracy.

Representing a major cannabis company in an arbitration dealing with the alleged repudiation of a license, supply and distribution agreement.

Representing companies in shareholder dissent applications and related commercial disputes regarding non-payment of invoices and ownership of intellectual property.

Representing a major cinema company in claims totaling US $125 million for breach of contract, breach of confidentiality and conspiracy, arising from a lease termination in one of the largest cinema projects in the Middle East.

Providing advice on risk of product liability litigation in multi-million-dollar corporate acquisition transactions

News

Media Mentions

“Ontario promised to protect consumers from predatory financial claims against their houses. Then homeowners like the Bartons got sued,” by Maria Iqbal, Toronto Star (May 31, 2024)
“Ontario court stays action in favour of arbitration in shareholder dispute,” by Karunjit Singh, Law360 Canada (August 3, 2023)
“Mango Markets Exploiter Thought a DAO Protected Him. Then US Courts Showed Up,” by Danny Nelson, CoinDesk (January 31, 2023)
“The Math Prodigy Whose Hack Upended DeFi Won’t Give Back His Millions,” by Christopher Beam, Bloomberg Businessweek (May 19, 2022)
“Code is law’ defence to be tested in case of allegedly stolen crypto“, by Aidan Macnab, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, March 17, 2022
“Crypto custody case shows DeFi becoming mainstream“, by monte Stewart, Capital.com, March 23, 2022

Rankings & Recognitions

Pro Bono Ontario Honor Roll
Osgoode Hall Law School Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop Certificate
Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP Prize
Association of Professors of University of Ottawa Award
Faculty of Common Law Dean’s Honour List

Community Involvement

Pro Bono Ontario, Free Legal Advice Helpline

Directorships & Affiliations

Toronto Lawyers Association, New Lawyers Committee
Defense Research Institute, Young Lawyers Leadership Council
The Advocates’ Society American Bar Association, Litigation Section

Education & Admissions

2019

Called to the Ontario Bar

2018

JD (cum laude)University of Ottawa

2014

BAMcGill University

Publications

“Court of Appeal reaffirms limited use of Rule 21.01 for limitations issues,” Law360 Canada (May 12, 2023)

Insights (7 Posts)View More

Exclusion Clauses Prevail: Supreme Court of Canada Defers to Contracts

The SCC has clarified when and how companies can contract out of the implied warranties and conditions set out in the Sale of Goods Act.

Aug 27, 2024

Warning For Businesses: Companies Can be Liable for Tort of Bribery Even if They Did Not Intend to Pay or Receive a Bribe

Businesses with a duty to provide impartial advice must take steps to ensure the payments they make or receive are not later interpreted as bribes.

Apr 12, 2024

Part 3 of McMillan Series – DeFi Platform Mango Loses $117 Million in Smart Contract Exploit: Avraham Eisenberg Arrested and Sued

In Part 3 of this series, we describe two important developments in the Mango Markets story, demonstrating challenges DAOs have settling with exploiters.

Feb 8, 2023

Part 2 of McMillan Series – DeFi Platform Mango Loses $117 Million in Smart Contract Exploit: Is Mango’s Settlement with the Exploiter Enforceable and What Does it Mean for DAOs?

Complex Disputes and Regulatory Regimes: Cryptocurrency Speciality Niche

Nov 16, 2022

Part 1 of McMillan Series – DeFi Platform Mango Loses $117 Million in Smart Contract Exploit: Are DAOs Responsible for Bad Smart Contracts?

Complex Disputes and Regulatory Regimes: Cryptocurrency Speciality Niche

Oct 14, 2022

Clarity over Breadth: The Court of Appeal Refuses to Limit Liability under Sale of Goods Act

In Pine Valley Enterprises, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirms that exclusion clauses are not effective unless they use "explicit, clear and direct" language.

Apr 14, 2022

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

Ontario has also passed legislation to protect commercial tenants.

May 17, 2021