Businesses are increasingly challenged to promptly and effectively identify, assess and manage rapidly changing risks, including exposure to litigation, regulation and enforcement. The ability to respond strategically and in a timely way to existing and emerging situations that threaten the business and reputation of an organization, as well as that of its executives, directors and advisors, is a paramount concern for corporations and their boards today.
Risk is multi-faceted. It is not confined within self-contained silos in any organization: an issue that arises in relation to one business unit, discipline, product line or department can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the organization. Neglected and mismanaged risk can have a costly financial, operational and reputational impact upon the whole organization, its leaders and its stakeholders.

Risk Management and Crisis Response Blog
Insights on avoiding and addressing corporate crisis.
Strategic prevention and response
Our fully integrated team is uniquely positioned to provide customized, comprehensive service offerings in both proactive risk management and strategic crisis response. We work with boards, in-house counsel and senior executives at leading companies on developing risk management strategies; reviewing, drafting and advising on policies, codes of conduct and internal procedures; and conducting regulatory compliance reviews and risk assessments on governance, accountability structures and protocols.
When that risk becomes a tangible threat, we can develop and implement a considered plan to find a timely, effective and practical resolution. We advise on business-critical situations like government or internal investigations, whistleblower allegations, shareholder activism, data and security breaches, environmental disputes, unexpected leadership issues, hostile takeover bids and litigation arising from other extraordinary circumstances.
A cross-disciplinary approach to managing risk
Members of Osler’s cross-disciplinary Risk Management and Crisis Response practice understand the multi-dimensional and potentially destructive character of unattended risk.
We draw on our national specialists across a broad range of expertise, including capital markets regulation, investment funds, competition, corporate governance, securities and consumer class actions and other litigation, privacy and data security, environmental and government investigations and white-collar defence.
Led by Larry Ritchie, former vice-chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, our team leverages expert knowledge, practical experience and strong working relationships with regulators and officials in Canada and internationally to anticipate, manage and navigate the evolving risk factors that threaten your business.
Key Contacts
Chair
Partner, Disputes, Toronto
Partner, Disputes, Montréal
Partner, Disputes
Head: White-Collar Defence, Montréal, Toronto
Partner, Disputes, Vancouver
Partner, Corporate, Toronto
Latest Insights
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Osler Update November 28, 2025
The privacy officer’s changing role in the age of innovation and AI
A panel discussion on emerging privacy risks and the changing role of in-house counsel was an important part of the second annual Privacy Conference...
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Osler Update November 21, 2025
Cybersecurity and privacy: key takeaways from our second annual conference
In October, Osler’s Montréal office hosted the firm’s second annual Privacy Conference, organized by the Privacy and Data Management team.
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Blog November 13, 2025
Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal sanctions TeknoScan Systems Inc. and three of its executives for misleading disclosure
A recent Capital Markets Tribunal decision imposed significant consequences after finding fraud based on disclosure omissions.
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Blog October 24, 2025
First look: Ontario court clarifies Securities Act anti-reprisal protections
If protected activity is a motivating factor in a termination, employers may face liability even where there are also other motives.
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Media Mentions August 8, 2025
Should prediction markets be legal in Canada? – Canadian Affairs
Osler's Matthew Burgoyne spoke to Canadian Affairs about online prediction markets.
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Media Mentions August 6, 2025
Energy firms straddle the line between Canadian DEI and ESG policies and changing U.S. attitudes – Lexpert
Osler's John Valley spoke to Lexpert about shifting approaches to DEI and climate risk disclosure.
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Media Mentions July 2, 2025
Canada’s banks are about to get hit by a trillion-dollar stablecoin tsunami – The Logic
With an aim to advance the use of real-time payments and open banking, the commerce platform, Shopify, has recently introduced an option for...
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Media Mentions April 1, 2025
Former Governor of the Bank of Canada on one factor that may blunt the impact of Trump’s tariffs – Global News
In anticipation of the Trump administration’s upcoming trade announcement, Canadians are bracing for what impact the impending tariffs will have...
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