Heather Pessione

Associée

Toronto

Heather is BLG's research and written advocacy partner, and leads our team of research lawyers across the country. Heather's practice focuses on supporting corporate and litigation clients and lawyers with complex legal strategy, research and written advocacy.

She specializes in corporate governance and thought leadership for not-for-profit corporations, including public hospitals, regulators, and Ontario Health Teams.

Heather regularly assists with written materials for appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, and drafts opinions, pleadings, factums, corporate documents and publications. She also specializes in appellate and public law advocacy, and in the health and energy sectors.

Heather has appeared at all levels of court in Ontario and at the Supreme Court of Canada. 

Experience

  • Ontario Nurses’ Assn. v. Rouge Valley Health System (2008), 302 DLR (4th) 751 (Div. Ct.)
  • OPSEU v. Central East Local Health Integration Network, (2008) OJ No. 3243 (Div. Ct.)
  • Teva Canada Ltd. v. TD Canada Trust, [2017] 2 SCR 317
  • Iroquois Falls Power Corporation v. Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation, 2016 ONCA 687 (leave to appeal to the SCC denied)
  • Kazemi Estate v. Islamic Republic of Iran, [2014] 3 SCR 176
  • Amaratunga v. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, [2013] 3 SCR 866
  • Canadian National Railway Co. v. John Doe, [2013] OJ No. 26 (SCJ)
  • Canadian National Railway Co. v. Plain, [2012] OJ No. 6272 (SCJ), [2012] OJ No. 6184 (SCJ)
  • R. v. N.S., [2012] SCJ No. 72 (SCC)
  • Ontario Nurses’ Assn. v. Rouge Valley Health System (2008), 302 DLR (4th) 751 (Div. Ct.)
  • OPSEU v. Central East Local Health Integration Network, [2008] OJ No. 3243 (Div. Ct.)

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Member, Toronto Research Lawyers Group
  • Member, The Advocates' Society

Community Involvement

  • Past Volunteer, Pro Bono Law Ontario
  • Past Volunteer, LAWS Program
  • Secretary of the Board, Friends of Humberside Collegiate Institute

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2022) 2022 editions of Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation) and in the 2024 edition (Health Care Law).

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 2006
  • JD, Université de Toronto, 2005
  • MA, Université Dalhousie, 2001
  • BA (Hons.), Université de Toronto, 2000