TDS Recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers® in Canada™ Awards

published 09/08/2025

Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (TDS) is proud to announce that our lawyers have been recognized in the 2026 20th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, one of the most respected peer-reviewed directories in the legal profession. Since 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers are evaluated based on exhaustive peer review, and no fee is required to be listed, making inclusion a singular honor.

This year, TDS lawyers have achieved three distinct distinctions, highlighting both established excellence and emerging talent:

"Lawyer of the Year®" Awards

  • Barry N. MacTavish, 2026 Best Lawyers® Securities Law "Lawyer of the Year®" in Winnipeg
  • Sacha R. Paul, 2026 Best Lawyers® Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice "Lawyer of the Year®" in Winnipeg

The Best Lawyers® in Canada™ Awards

Reflecting consistent excellence, 22 TDS lawyers were recognized across 18 practice areas, demonstrating the firm’s depth and leadership in Manitoba’s legal community. Many of these lawyers have been recognized repeatedly over the past decade, reflecting TDS’s enduring presence and peer trust across the region.

Serving Winnipeg and Manitoba communities with recognized legal expertise across 18 practice areas, TDS continues to provide trusted legal guidance while fostering the next generation of lawyers.

 

By Service Area

Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice

Robert J.M. Adkins K.C.
Sacha R. Paul
William G. Percy

Administrative and Public Law

Jeff B. Hirsch, K.C.
Gordon A. McKinnon
Lynda Troup
Sacha R. Paul

Banking and Finance Law

Michael A. Choiselat
Drew Mitchell
Lisa Stiver
G. Bruce Taylor

Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Michael A. Choiselat
Gordon A. McKinnon
Silvia de Sousa
Lynda Troup

Corporate Law

Jeff Kowall
Gregory J. Tallon
Richard L. Yaffe, K.C.

Energy Law

Robert J.M. Adkins K.C.

Environmental Law

John D. Stefaniuk, K.C.

Franchise Law

Gregory J. Tallon

Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law

Ross McFadyen
G. Bruce Taylor

Insurance Law

Gordon A. McKinnon

Labour and Employment Law

Adrian B. Frost
Miranda Grayson
Keith David LaBossiere, K.C.
Terra Welsh

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Gregory J. Tallon

Natural Resources Law

Jeff Kowall
John D. Stefaniuk, K.C.

Real Estate Law

Robert J.M. Adkins K.C.

Securities Law

Barry N. MacTavish
Richard L. Yaffe, K.C.

Tax Law

Frank Lavitt, K.C.

Technology Law

Silvia de Sousa

Trusts and Estates

Frank Lavitt, K.C.

By Name

Adrian B. Frost – Labour and Employment Law
Miranda Grayson – Labour and Employment Law
Jeff B. Hirsch, K.C. – Administrative and Public Law
Jeff Kowall – Corporate Law, Natural Resources Law
Keith David LaBossiere, K.C. – Labour and Employment Law
Frank Lavitt, K.C. – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Barry N. MacTavish – Securities Law
Ross McFadyen – Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
Gordon A. McKinnon – Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Drew Mitchell – Banking and Finance Law
Sacha R. Paul – Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Administrative and Public Law
William G. Percy – Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice
John D. Stefaniuk, K.C. – Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law
Lisa Stiver – Banking and Finance Law
Gregory J. Tallon – Corporate Law, Franchise Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
G. Bruce Taylor – Banking and Finance Law, Insolvency and Financial Restructuring Law
Lynda Troup – Administrative and Public Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Michael A. Choiselat – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Richard L. Yaffe, K.C. – Corporate Law, Securities Law
Robert J.M. Adkins K.C. – Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Real Estate Law
Silvia de Sousa – Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Technology Law
Terra Welsh – Labour and Employment Law

Awards and Recognitions

Explore our full list of awards and recognitions on our Awards & Recognitions page.


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