Barry Wortzman K.C

Barry Wortzman, K.C., is a top commercial litigator who heads up one of the litigation practice groups at Shibley Righton LLP. He leads a team of four lawyers who 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 been involved in professional liability disputes involving dentists, lawyers, architects, and others. As well, for many years he has given lectures on ethics and malpractice to graduating dentists. Much of Barry’s work is for plaintiffs or defendants in complex commercial matters such as conflicts between shareholders, business partners, suppliers and customers.

While his undergraduate studies included mathematics, physics, chemistry and political science, Barry did not graduate in those areas, opting for University of Toronto Law School where he graduated with a string of academic awards and prizes. He stood second in the 1969 class of lawyers called to the Ontario bar, before embarking on his litigation practice. Over the years he has gravitated towards litigation areas requiring special understanding such as 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 Supreme Court of Canada, as well as many local and national tribunals. He was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1982.

Barry is an amateur artist, a cabinetmaker who designs and builds fine furniture, and he has spent many years as an avid sailor and canoeist.