Ben Markusoff
Biography
Ben is a litigator at Beard Winter LLP. His practice focuses on employment and civil litigation. Ben represents both employers and employees in employment disputes. He is sought by employers to provide timely advice. He assists his clients to avoid employment disputes at the outset and ensure the employer is in a strong position if litigation is unavoidable. Employees seek Ben out because he provides practical advice tailored to the unique needs of his clients. Ben understands his role is not only to secure the best outcome for his clients, but also to help them navigate the challenges after dismissal. Ben has a particular interest in representing executives and employees who have been dismissed for cause. Ben also maintains a broad civil litigation practice assisting individuals, corporations, and other organizations with shareholder disputes, real estate and lease disputes, professional negligence claims, and a myriad of other matters. Ben has experience before all levels court in Ontario (including the Court of Appeal) and Alberta (including the Court of Appeal). He also has experience before administrative tribunals and private arbitrators. Ben is active in the legal community. He is the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (Central) Executive. He also volunteers as a Team Lead for the Ottawa Pro Bono Employment Clinic and has participated in Pro Bono Students Canada’s Indigenous Human Rights Clinic for a number of years.
Airianna Mapp
Biography
I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Science, Philosophy and Sociology at Western University. I then travelled to London, England to complete the Graduate Entry LLB Program through City, University of London. Following completion of my law degree, I returned to Canada and completed the NCA examinations, followed by the Law Practice Program. I am now settling in as the Law Practice Program Ambassador for the Ontario Bar Association - Student Council Division. I have been continuing as a student with McLeod Green Dewar and Associates where upon my call in October 2025, I will transitioning into the position of associate. I am passionate about access to justice, equality, diversity and championing for those without a voice. I look forward to advancing my legal career and learning from the many supportive mentors I have been fortunate to come across.
Oksana Romanov
Biography
I am a criminal lawyer with work experience in prosecuting Criminal Code offences and defending individuals. I also served with distinction as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. I hold the Juris Doctor degree, with distinction, from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University. I have a Masters in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, where I studied as the recipient of the U.S. Fulbright Fellowship, one of the most prestigious academic scholarships for graduate students internationally.
Prateek Suman Awasthi
Biography
Prateek is an Associate in the firm’s Toronto office. He maintains a broad and diverse legal practice, advocating for federally and provincially regulated employers before courts, tribunals and arbitrators. Drawing on over a decade of global experience in advocacy, non-profit management and government-relations, Prateek advises employers to help them successfully navigate their most difficult and complex workplace issues. Prateek was an articling student with Mathews Dinsdale before returning as an Associate. After graduating from law school, he completed his Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at the United Nations in New York, and with Engineers Without Borders Canada. Along with a working knowledge of French, he is also fluent in Spanish, Hindi and Marathi.
