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Fast Facts
Called to the Bar
Ontario - 1969
Law School
University of Toronto - LL.B. 1967
Areas of Practice
Professional Liability
Civil Litigation
Tax Litigation
Memberships
Canadian Bar Association
Advocates Society
The Lawyers Club
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Blunt, honest, no-nonsense. Those are the polite words people use to describe Barry Wortzman, one of the firm’s - and the city’s - top commercial litigators.
As head of one of the firm’s litigation practice groups, Barry leads a team of four lawyers that sue and defend professionals, challenge tax rulings, and handle major commercial disputes.
In the area of professional liability, Barry defends accountants in negligence matters, and acts for plaintiffs in a variety of professional negligence claims. He has in the past been involved in professional liability disputes involving dentists, lawyers, architects, and others. As well, for many years he has annually given ethics and malpractice lectures to graduating dentists.
But a lot of the work Barry does is for plaintiffs or defendants in complex commercial matters - conflicts between shareholders, business partners, suppliers and customers, etc.. Barry is particularly noted for his tough, “take-no-prisoners” approach in commercial litigation. Known as a “fighter”, Barry sees himself as being in his clients’ corner, making sure no-one is able to take advantage of them.
All of this came from a history which is more eclectic than “driven”. An undergraduate in Math, Physics, Chemistry and Political Science, Barry managed to avoid graduating in any of those disciplines, then went to University of Toronto Law School and graduated in 1967 with a string of academic awards and prizes. He went on to stand second in the 1969 class of lawyers called to the Ontario bar, before embarking on his litigation practice. In keeping with his broad range of interests, he naturally gravitated towards litigation areas requiring special understanding, like taxation disputes and professional liability claims. He has argued cases in most of the top courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as many local and national tribunals. In 1982 he was named a Queen’s Counsel.
Barry’s eclectic interests extend to his personal pursuits. Known within the firm as a talented amateur artist, Barry is actually more at home as a cabinetmaker, designing and building fine furniture as a relaxation from his high-intensity law practice. He was also for many years an avid sailor and canoeist.
Barry may be reached at:
T: 416.214.5268
F: 416.214.5476
E: barry.wortzman@shibleyrighton.com
Links to practice areas by
Barry Wortzman Q.C
Construction Law Group
Professional Liability Group
Taxation and Tax Planning Group
Insolvency and Creditors' Rights Group
Civil Litigation Group
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