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Awi practices uncommon law.
Awi Sinha advises major enterprises in unusual, high-stakes situations.
Extraordinary circumstances, generated by politics, policy, or crisis and scandal, can present unprecedented legal issues and distort dynamics for otherwise straightforward legal decisions. Awi has unique experience executing legal strategy to serve your business and reputation goals in such circumstances. Leaders value his ability to see around corners, separate knowledge from noise and solve problems in uncertain times.
In 2023, Canadian Lawyer magazine named Awi to its Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers as one of the country’s five most influential lawyers in the Business category. He is also Lexpert-ranked in Commercial Litigation and Infrastructure.
Awi is highly sought after for special projects and mandates.
Political Law
Awi has the leading practice in Canada acting for senior political figures and major corporations in inquiries and investigations by the federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Commissioner of Lobbying, Canada Elections Commissioner and their provincial counterparts.
Awi also has deep experience representing corporations called upon to engage in studies and hearings by parliamentary committees, both federally and provincially. He works seamlessly with communications and policy experts to prepare top executives for high profile public hearings, recently in areas such as war sanctions, COVID vaccine procurement and government use of consulting services.
Special Advisory
Some examples of Awi’s mandates are below:
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) re: COVID-era “Return-to-Play” – The first phase of the COVID pandemic was one of intense and extreme regulatory reform in real time. Awi acted for MLSE in its processes with all levels of governments and commercial partners for development of a COVID-safe strategy for the iterative return to play of the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Soccer (MLS) in Canada. Awi advised on MLSE’s winning bid to the host the 2020 NHL “Playoffs Bubble” in Toronto and on the 2021 return from Tampa Bay of the Toronto Raptors for the 2021/2022 season.
Canadian Universities re: Middle East Tensions – Awi acts as a special advisor to a number of Canadian universities dealing with a myriad of conduct controversies, security issues and academic freedom concerns arising from actions of students, faculty and campus groups regarding Middle East tensions.
Cadillac Fairview (CF) re: Freedom Convoy – In February 2023, the “Freedom Convoy” parked trucks and created encampments in downtown Ottawa. One of the urgent public safety impacts was the shutdown of the iconic CF Rideau Centre shopping mall near Parliament Hill. The continued closure of CF Rideau Centre became a symbolic flashpoint for a national discussion on the convoy. Awi acted as special counsel for CF to coordinate with public authorities on legal strategy and practical situation management. The mandate included government relations, civil claim strategies and collaboration on an injunction application by the City of Ottawa. Our assistance to CF ultimately led to a safe, strategic plan for re-opening without any incidents.
College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) ats Dr. Jordan B. Peterson – Dr. Peterson, a globally known public personality and licenced psychologist, began a judicial review of a CPO decision that he had violated the members’ code of conduct through certain public and social media statements. The case quickly became a cause celebre. McCarthy Tétrault represented the CPO in the litigation. Awi acted as a special advisor to the CPO on the firestorm that resulted around the litigation, including a barrage of threats and an on-site protest, political attacks and intense media interest. The court dismissed the case.
Dentists of Canada – Awi acted as special counsel to a collective of national and provincial dental organizations to consult, collaborate and contribute to the new federal Canada Dental Plan.
Reputational Crisis Mandates
Awi has elite experience as special counsel for enterprises facing high stakes reputational risk. He has worked in concert with and is preferred counsel for the leading public communications and strategy consultants in Canada. His matters are confidential.
Awi serves as a McCarthy Tétrault’s ambassador to Legal Leaders in Diversity and is a prominent voice on diversity and inclusion issues in the Canadian business community.
Prix et distinctions
Classement des 25 avocats les plus influents au Canada du magazine Canadian Lawyer
Droit des affaires
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Leading Lawyer: Litigation - Corporate Commercial
Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure
Leading Lawyer
Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation
Leading Lawyer
South Asian Bar Association
Legal Excellence Award