OBA Council Member Responsibilities
Council members serve as ambassadors and liaisons for the OBA, communicating with constituents, identifying regional issues, and advising the Board. Their key responsibilities include:
- Advocacy & Representation: Raise regional and professional issues that would benefit from OBA advocacy, judicial system improvements, and professional development needs.
- Board Elections: Annually elect the Board of Directors.
- Meetings & Communication: Attend four Council meetings per year, submit agenda items, review materials, and share updates with members.
- Engagement & Outreach: Regularly communicate via email/social media, participate in regional calls, organize local meetings, and promote OBA membership.
Council members ensure the OBA remains active and engaged within their regions, fostering meaningful connections and opportunities.
Adeboyin Anthonia Adeniran
Biography
Adeboyin is an Osgoode Hall Law School LLM student and internationally trained lawyer, who excels in legal, governance, risk management, and compliance. She upholds integrity, ethical standards, and adept problem-solving abilities. Adeboyin’s passion extends beyond her legal expertise to encompass technology trends and diverse perspectives. Her strong analytical skills foster collaboration, adapt readily, and develop skills for a digital world.
Brent Arnold
Biography
Brent J. Arnold is a partner practising in Gowling WLG's Advocacy department, specializing in cyber security and commercial litigation, and has appeared at all levels of court in Canada including the Supreme Court of Canada. He acts as data breach coach and counsel for clients. Brent chairs the Cyber Security, Data Privacy and Technology Committee of the invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel, and is vice-chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Privacy and Access Section. He is a past chair of both the Ontario Bar Association’s Privacy and Access to Information Law Committee, and the Steering Committee for the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy section of the U.S.-based Defence Research Institute (DRI). He currently serves on the Ontario Bar Association Council. He is a Director of the Canadian chapter of the Internet Society, a global organization devoted to improving the affordability, accessibility, fairness and security of the internet, and hosts its Net Positive podcast. He is also a member of The Advocates’ Society’s Artificial Intelligence & Automated Decision Making Task Force, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and the Canadian Cybersecurity Network. Brent served as a member of the court-appointed joint E-Hearings Task Force and co-authored both editions of the Task Force’s Best Practices for Remote Hearings. In 2019, he co-authored the Canada chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Data Protection & Cybersecurity, 2nd ed. In 2022, he co-authored the Canada chapter of the Chambers Fintech 2022: Trends and Developments report. In 2024 he co-authored the whitepapers Artificial Intelligence in Legal Practice: Benefits, Considerations, and Best Practices and Data Mining, Algorithms, and Deepfakes Combatting Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malinformation in 2024 Elections and Beyond for the DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy.
Sakina Babwani
Biography
I’m a strategic litigator with extensive courtroom experience. I have represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal as well as before the Information and Privacy Commissioner. I have also represented clients in mediations and have negotiated several complex settlements. I have a wide range of experience, having acted as sole counsel to clients in a range of commercial litigation matters as well as have been part of litigation teams, defending clients in multi-jurisdictional product liability and antitrust class actions across a range of industries. I am now litigation counsel with the Ontario Securities Commission’s Enforcement Branch. As part of the Enforcement Regulatory Action Team, my role is to support investigations, review matters regarding potential breaches of the Securities Act and Commodity Futures Act, provide litigation advice and conduct enforcement proceedings. In addition to my litigation practice, I am actively involved with the Ontario Bar Association where I represent the Toronto region on the OBA Council. Previously, I also sat on the OBA’s Policy and Public Affairs Committee. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I was a business journalist with India’s largest financial daily, The Economic Times. I have authored over 150 articles with a focus on law and finance. I’m called to the Bar of Ontario and to the Bar of India, and I hold an LL.M. degree with specialization in business law from UC Berkeley School of Law.
Kathryn Balter
Biography
Kathryn is currently a partner at Fogler, Rubinoff LLP practicing in the areas of wills and estates. Kathryn has extensive experience in estate planning and estate administration. She drafts wills, powers of attorney and trusts for individuals with various financial and personal circumstances. Kathryn has contributed to several professional publications and has had her work published in the Trusts and Estates Section Newsletter. Kathryn is a recurring member of the Trusts and Estates Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), currently the Chair, and a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP). She received her Juris Doctor at the University of British Columbia and was called to the Ontario bar in 2012.
Alex Battick
Biography
Alex Battick is a lawyer practicing in areas such as human rights, professional regulation, and education law. He provides advice on diverse issues that affect schools from kindergarten to higher education. Alex uniquely focuses on improving outcomes for students, families, and administrations in Ontario through the effective and thoughtful implementation of education law. In doing so, Alex seeks to not only help resolve specific cases and situations but also act as a catalyst to improve the functioning of the systems we engage.
Jody Berkes
Biography
Jody Berkes received his B.A. from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and his B.C.L. and LL.B. degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law, where he was selected valedictorian by his graduating class. After articling and practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia, he moved to Toronto in 1999. In 2012, he formed a partnership with Apple Newton-Smith. Since her appointment to the bench, Mr. Berkes founded Berkes Law. Mr. Berkes practice includes the defence of individuals, as well as corporations, charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, as well as other Federal and Provincial criminal and quasi-criminal statues, and professionals charged before discipline and competency panels. He appears in all levels of courts in Ontario. Jody Berkes is the Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Criminal Law Executive Committee, the Legislation and Law Reform Liaison of the National Criminal Section of the Canadian Bar Association, as well as a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association. His cases have been reported in both Ontario and British Columbia. Mr. Berkes is certified as a specialist in Criminal Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich
Biography
https://carleton.ca/law/people/bromwich-rebecca/
W. Grant Buchan-Terrell
Biography
Practicing business law only for a few decades, especially the buying and selling of businesses, $.5MM to $5MM, resolving shareholder & partnership disputes, IT startups and corporate financing; not for profit governance, from office in Oakville since 1/1/2000. Also, provide advice on securities law. Queen's, Edinburgh, Osgoode.
Jessica Chan
Biography
As an associate in the Corporate and Commercial Law Group, Jessica focuses on acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations and strategic commercial arrangements. Clients benefit from Jessica’s practical and business-oriented approach, which allows her to successfully assist her clients in their transactions from inception to completion. Jessica is involved with the creation and implementation of appropriate corporate and deal structures, the negotiation of key transaction documents, and the closing of various commercial deals. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Distinction) from the University of Victoria, a Master of Publishing from Simon Fraser University, and a Juris Doctor from Dalhousie University. During law school, Jessica served as Associate Editor for the Dalhousie Journal for Legal Studies and worked as an Outreach Speaker for the Indigenous Black & Mi’kmaw Initiative. She also received various awards for top grades in the areas of intellectual property law, labour law, legal writing and research. Jessica summered and articled with a major full-service firm in Atlantic Canada and was called to the Bars of Nova Scotia and Ontario in 2009. Prior to joining Chaitons, Jessica practiced real estate law and commercial real estate litigation. She was also Editor-in-Chief of a successful national magazine for six years.
Jonathan Clancy
Biography
My name is Jonathan Clancy. I am the Senior Director of Operations and Innovation at the OBA.
Kira Clarke
Biography
Kira completed her legal education at the University of Ottawa, in their Common Law French program. Following completion of her studies, she articled with a longstanding and well-respected full service bilingual law firm in Ottawa. Kira has assisted with matters for all levels of Court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Kira is dedicated to the improvement and advancement of the legal profession and has contributed to that objective through her work with the Ontario Bar Association, where she has served on a number of Executives and Committees, and currently serves as Member of Council and a Member-At-Large on the Worker's Compensation Section Executive. Kira joined the Region of Durham in 2020 and practices in the areas of labour and employment. When not hard at work advancing her clients' interests, Kira can be found hiking, biking and taking in the vast and beautiful Canadian wilderness.
Esi Codjoe
Biography
I adjudicate workplace disputes. I represent employers and in employment, labour, and human rights matters. I have significant experience litigating, deciding and mediating cases. I train human resources practitioners and adults on a variety of workplace issue. I excel at dispute resolution/mediation of human rights matters, and employment law files including severance packages. Colleagues and peers recognize me as a results oriented pragmatic leader. I am particularly adept at relationship building and understanding organizational culture and human resources departments. I excel at communicating via education/training sessions and written legal documents.
Antoine L Collins
Biography
Antoine L. Collins has practiced law in the United States and Canada over the past 19 years. After graduating in 2002 from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, his career began as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Baltimore City’s States Attorney’s Office. There, he prosecuted cases ranging from minor theft to felony child abuse and domestic violence. Subsequently, Antoine joined one of Baltimore’s top law firms, defending Workers’ Compensation cases. After moving to Canada, he was called to the Ontario Bar in 2011, thereafter, he ran a progressive and dynamic solo transactional practice focusing on Wills and Estates and Real Estate law. He is currently a Coordinating Member (Adjudicator/Manager) with the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. As an Adjudicator, he is charged with making well-reasoned decisions of applicants claiming refugee protection in Canada. Additionally, Antoine is actively involved in the Ontario legal community. He sits as a Trustee for the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Foundation acting as Chair for the Foundations Chief Justice Fellowship in Legal Ethics and Professionalism Studies. Member of OBA's Professional Development Committee, past-Co-Chair of the OBA’s Institute, as well as past-member of the Governance and Past-Chair of the Equality Committees of the OBA. As President of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) Antoine is committed to legal excellence and reinvesting in the community through a multitude of events that promote academic and professional excellence and the advancement of issues of equality and diversity among the bar and judiciary. He is a Trustee for the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA), and a volunteer for Pro Bono Ontario. Antoine also served as Adjunct Professor at Algonquin College, where he taught Evidence Law. Outside of his legal career, Antoine has an extensive musical theatre resume along with independently releasing two full length jazz albums. His 2015 debut LP, Somewhere Along The Way, was recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel and features soulful, R&B-inspired takes on traditional standards. His 2018 follow up album “Nature Boy, The Music of Nat King Cole”, celebrates the legacy of a global cultural icon who left an indelible mark on jazz and popular song. Recreational cycling also helps Antoine ensure a healthy work-life balance. Whether on the bike path, recording studio, concert hall, or advocating in the courtroom, Antoine exudes positive energy through his personality, style, warmth, and his continuing support for a more enlightened and inclusive community.
Ranjan Das
Biography
Ranjan Das, a 1995 call to the Bar, is a partner of the Toronto litigation boutique Berkow Youd Lev-Farrell Das LLP practising commercial and civil litigation. He is a member of the Civil Rules Committee, a past director of the Forest Hill Hockey Association and a present director of the Toronto Lawyers Association where he also sits on the Roundtable of Diversity Organizations (“RODA”) (that promotes the inclusion of diverse lawyers), and sat on the Granite Club board for 6 years. Ranjan is a “virtual” firm mentor in the Ryerson University’s Law Practice Program (a LSO alternative to traditional articling), and sits on the CBA Civil Litigation Section Executive too. Ranjan holds an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall (Banking Law/Financial Services), an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University, and a Not for Profit Governance Essentials Program Certificate from the Rotman School of Management and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Signa A. Daum Shanks
Biography
LLB, LLM, BA (Hons), MA, PhD. Full-time faculty member at Osgoode Hall Law School specializing in Torts, Law and Economics and Indigenous Rights. Osgoode's inaugural Director of Indigenous Outreach. Previously worked at Saskatchewan Justice, Department of Justice Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and Ministry of the Attorney General- Ontario. Also worked at large Toronto law firm.
Katherine DiTomaso
Biography
Katie Di Tomaso is a knowledgeable and trusted civil litigator at Stieber Berlach LLP with over 20 years of practical experience acting for insurers, businesses, governments, public entities such as children's aid societies, and individuals in defending complex tort litigation matters. In 2024, Katie was awarded the prestigious Ontario Bar Association’s Joel Kuchar Award for Professionalism and Civility for consistently demonstrating an exemplary commitment to the ideals of professionalism and civility in the practice of law. Katie has appeared as lead counsel at the Ontario Court of Appeal, Superior Court of Justice, Federal Court of Canada, Small Claims Court, Human Rights Tribunal, and various Tribunals governing self-regulated health care professionals. Katie is known for her outstanding client service, keen problem solving abilities, sound judgment, and utilizing technology within her practice. Katie is an active listener, an articulate communicator, and a persuasive lawyer who aids her clients in making decisions and managing conflict with integrity. Clients retain Katie for her skillful application of civil litigation tools to provide solutions and resolve their issues. Graduating from University of Toronto (with High Distinction) and Western University Faculty of Law, Katie possesses a strong commitment to academic and intellectual excellence and has received numerous scholarships and awards including a Governor General’s Medal for academic excellence, Silver Medalist from University of Toronto, Cressy Leadership Award, Bereskin & Parr LLP Prize for Intellectual Property Law, and the CBIA’s Wilcox Award for national excellence in Insurance Law. Katie has demonstrated a commitment to legal writing on civil litigation issues and has recently published chapters contained within civil litigation publications including Annual Review of Civil Litigation (Carswell: 2018), Civil Procedure and Practice in Ontario (CanLII: 2021-2024) and The Advocates' Quarterly (Thomson Reuters: 2024). Katie gives back to her legal community and community at large as the OBA Insurance Law Section Past Chair, CBA Insurance Law Section Secretary, Tort Law Moot Competition Co-chair, lecturer, mentor, moot judge, published author, and Board Member for a children’s not-for-profit where she has acted as a significant fundraiser and advocate. In 2022, Katie was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Award recognizing her civic contributions.
Doug Ferguson
Biography
I am a Small Claims Court deputy judge, and practice mental health law and represent the Family Responsibility Office. I also serve on an Advisory Group at the Law Society of Ontario. From 2003-2020 I was the Director of Community Legal Services (CLS) and Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law at Western University. Students at CLS, under the supervision of lawyers, provide legal services to low income persons in the London community. A 1981 law graduate of Western Law, I attended the University of Ottawa where I earned my Bachelor of Administration and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degrees. I practiced with the law firm of Bitz, Szemenyei, Ferguson & MacKenzie LLP (now Szemenyei MacKenzie Group LLP) in civil litigation, wills and estates, and tax law from 1988-2003. Access to justice is a passion for me, and I am on the Steering Committee for the Action Committee on Access to Justice for Family and Civil Matters, chaired by Justice Karakatsanis of the Supreme Court of Canada. I am past director for the Southwest Region for the OBA, have served for many years on the OBA Council. At the CBA, I was the Chair of the Access to Justice Subcommittee and of the Legal Aid Committee, and served on the CBA Council. In 2010 I founded and served as inaugural president of the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education. In the London community, I have served with many organizations, including President of Covent Garden Market during the construction of that market in downtown London. I was President of the Liberal Party of Canada in 2008-09, and was the Liberal candidate for London West in the 2011 federal election. In 2009, I was awarded the Alumnus of Distinction Award by the Western Law Alumni Association. In 2012, I was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. I am an amateur genealogist, and after recently retiring from hockey, still enjoy playing golf. In November 2014, I received the ultimate gift of life when I underwent two liver transplants in five days at University Hospital in London. To express my gratitude, I have dedicated myself to the cause of organ donation and transplantation and served on the board of the Trillium Gift of Life Network from 2016-19.
Derek Freeman at FreemanLaw--Barristers; www.freemanlaw.ca
Biography
Derek R. Freeman
Senior Lawyer, Principal, FreemanLaw--Barristers
Derek has been a litigation lawyer for over 40 years. He was called to the Ontario Bar with Honours in 1975, having graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School. He immediately started working at renowned Toronto law firms as a business law, and construction law, litigation lawyer.
Derek has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and all levels of the Ontario Courts, including the Court of Appeal. His practice areas include:
Acting as Counsel for other Law Firms; Appeal Counsel; Bankruptcy Law; Business Law; Collection Law (Creditor/Debtor); Commercial Litigation; Commercial Landlord-Tenant Litigation; Competition Law (Civil Actions under Part VI Offences); Construction Law (ICI and Residential / Developer); Corporate Law; Costs Assessment Law; Employment Law; Estates Litigation; IT Litigation; Insurance Policy Review Law; Limitation Periods Law; Professional Negligence Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; and Complex Release Drafting.
He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates Society having served on the Executives of the Civil Litigation (Chair, 2005-6) and Construction Law and Infrastructure Sections of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA). Derek is a registered member of four OBA Law Sections, serves on one executive, and has served on the Executives Civil Litigation, Construction and Infrastructure, IT Law and Law Practice Management. He was a member of OBA Council and has served on its Audit Committee.
As a volunteer, he assisted the Justice community by serving on the Integrated Justice Project, the world's largest attempt to unify three government departments in the Province of Ontario. He chaired many committees in IJP. He is a member of DEED, the e-Discovery Implementation Committee, serving on two subcommittees and speaking at both its Annual Institutes 2011 and 2012. Derek has spoken internationally about Courts and Technology.
As a lawyer, Derek has mentored over 30rticling students and several young lawyers, which practice he continues. In 2000 he received the inaugural OBA Linda Adlam Manning Award for Volunteerism.
Called to Bar: 1975
Law School: Osgoode Hall Law School
Email: dfreeman@freemanlaw.ca
Charanjit Gill
Biography
With a sound understanding of the law, Charanjit assists her clients to achieve a fair, informed and timely resolution of their family law matter. Charanjit is experienced in all aspects of family law, ranging from complex financial matters to drafting agreements to completing family adoptions. Charanjit well regarded by clients and the legal community as a skilled negotiator and litigator, in addition to being a collaborative law professional and a mediator. Originally from British Columbia, Charanjit moved to London, Ontario in 2001 to commence law school at the University of Western Ontario. She has called Hamilton, Ontario her home since 2004 and is deeply committed to the community. She currently sits as a Dispute Resolution Officer at the Superior Court of Justice in Milton, is a former board member and “Big Sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton & Burlington and has been involved in continuing education programs as a presenter for the Halton County Law Association and Osgoode Professional Development.
Daniel G. Goldbloom
Biography
Daniel Goldbloom defends criminal, regulatory and professional liability cases in Toronto and across Ontario. He has represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal, as well as before numerous tribunals, including the Law Society Tribunal at the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, the Discipline Committee of the the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the University of Toronto’s University Tribunal, and the Ontario Review Board. He has also acted as intervenor on behalf of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association of Ontario. Before founding Goldbloom Law, Mr. Goldbloom practiced criminal, civil, and regulatory litigation at a pre-eminent national law firm, and with the President of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association of Ontario. He currently serves on the Ontario Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Executive. While studying law at the University of Toronto, Mr. Goldbloom received national and international recognition for advocacy and client counselling. Before law school, he served on the editorial board of the National Post.