About Us

Book Law is committed to delivering smart, strategic advice and excellent professional service to clients of all sizes, from individual entrepreneurs and family-run businesses to large, publicly-traded companies.  Book Law practices exclusively in commercial litigation, ensuring that clients are provided with sophisticated representation drawn from years of experience.

Hilary Book Portrait Photo

Hilary Book

Founder

Hilary’s judgment, creativity and persistence have earned her a reputation as a go-to commercial litigator. She has been recognized in the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada as “Most Frequently Recommended” for Corporate Commercial Litigation and as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark. Before founding Book Law in 2018, Hilary was a partner at one of Canada’s leading litigation boutiques and at a well-regarded full-service Bay Street firm.

Hilary’s litigation practice includes partnership and shareholder disputes, commercial real estate litigation and professional negligence cases. She is experienced in cases involving fraud and conspiracy, contempt of court and jurisdiction challenges, and has represented clients as lead counsel at all levels of court in Ontario on motions, trials and appeals.

Hilary is a frequent speaker and skills instructor on a variety of civil litigation topics. Hilary is a member of the Board of Directors of the Advocates’ Society, and is a former Chair of the Society’s 10+ Standing Committee aimed at improving the engagement of mid-career advocates. She was also a member of the Best Practices for Civil Trials task force.

CREDENTIALS

  • Called to the Ontario Bar, 2006
  • J.D., University of Toronto Faculty of Law, 2005
  • B.A. (Honours) in Political Science, University of British Columbia, 2002
  • Fluent in French

Email:   hilary@booklaw.ca

Phone:   (416) 613-9161

Hilary Lexpert Ranked Lawyer

Lexpert Ranked Lawyer

Hilary Book Portrait Photo

Lexpert Ranked Lawyer

Will McLennan Book Law

William McLennan

Associate

Will is a confident litigator who works closely with clients to craft creative solutions that best accomplish their goals—whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. He is building a practice that covers the spectrum of commercial litigation matters, including fraud, negligence, real property and planning issues, contractual breaches, and shareholder disputes. Will is also experienced in dealing with contempt proceedings and employment litigation for both employers and employees. He has represented clients before various administrative tribunals and all levels of court in Ontario.

Will was called to the Ontario Bar in 2018. He joined Book Law in 2022 after building his skills as an advocate with a well-respected firm in downtown Toronto that specializes in civil litigation and criminal defence.

CREDENTIALS

  • Call to the Ontario Bar, 2018
  • J.D., Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, 2017
  • B.A. (Joint Honours) in Political Science and Philosophy, McGill University, 2014

Email:   william@booklaw.ca

Phone:   (647) 797-0623

Will McLennan Book Law
Elizabeth Ayo

Elizabeth Ayo

Associate

Elizabeth is a dedicated and creative problem solver who is passionate about helping clients resolve their disputes and protect their interests. Elizabeth’s practice includes a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including shareholder remedies, contract disputes, injunctions, fraud and professional negligence. Elizabeth also has experience with appeals, real property disputes and other matters which have been heard before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal and the Divisional Court.

Before joining Book Law, Elizabeth completed her articles at a well-regarded litigation boutique in downtown Toronto. Prior to being called to the Ontario Bar, Elizabeth also served as in-house counsel at a national government organisation in Nigeria. Elizabeth is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association and the Advocates’ Society.

CREDENTIALS

  • Call to the Ontario Bar, 2022
  • LLB (Honours), University of Exeter, 2017
  • B.A. (Honours) in History, Queen’s University, 2013

Email:   elizabeth@booklaw.ca

Phone:   (647) 578-9731

Elizabeth Ayo
Chelsea Van Berk

Chelsea Van Berk

Law Clerk

Chelsea is passionate about working in the legal field, as she has always been interested in a career where she can utilize her strong organizational, communication and IT skills. She assists with all stages of the litigation process, including the preparation of court materials, document collection and production, examinations for discovery and cost submissions. Prior to joining Book Law, Chelsea was a legal assistant at a full-service Bay Street law firm.

CREDENTIALS

  • Legal Office Administration Diploma, Mohawk College, 2015

Email:   chelsea@booklaw.ca

Phone:   (647) 243-1721

Chelsea Van Berk
Ruggles Kayleigh

Kayleigh Ruggles

Office Manager

Kayleigh provides administrative support for all aspects of the firm’s operations. Prior to joining Book Law, Kayleigh worked in human resources with a focus on employee training.

CREDENTIALS

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Lethbridge, 2011

Email:   kayleigh@booklaw.ca

Phone:   (647) 847-6806

Ruggles Kayleigh

Practice Areas

Book Law practices in all areas of commercial litigation, including:

  • Shareholder and partnership disputes
  • Contract disputes
  • Real estate litigation
  • Fraud and asset recovery
  • Professional negligence
  • Product liability
  • Injunctions
  • Appeals
  • Cross-border disputes

Our Approach

Strategic Advice

Clients don’t litigate just for the sake of it.  They litigate to protect and advance their business and personal goals.  Book Law keeps those goals in focus at all times.

Creative Solutions

Creativity is important to finding winning legal arguments, streamlining or finding alternatives to litigation, and reaching settlements, especially where there’s an on-going business relationship. Book Law always looks for creative options to achieve the best possible client outcome.

Client Service

Book Law tailors its services to meet each client’s needs, whether that means writing detailed strategy memos, sending brief emails or meeting in person to discuss the file.  Clients are always kept up-to-date on the status of their files and any important developments.

Cost-Effective Representation

Most of Book Law’s files are billed on an hourly basis, but clients are only billed for work that adds value, not for work that adds hours.  Book Law will also enter into alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), such as contingency fee agreements, discounted rates and fixed fees where appropriate.  Regardless of how the bill is determined, Book Law is always transparent about its fees.

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