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44 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP ONTARIO REGIONAL FIRMS 2025–26 THOUSANDS OF readers and respondents shared their valuable insights with Canadian Lawyer on the best law firms across Ontario – the nation's economic provincial power- house and home to almost 40 percent of the Canadian population. Toronto is undoubtably the country's most significant legal hub, and this makes earning a place on CL's rankings a highly laudable achievement due to the fierce competition and exacting standards. To qualify, firms had to operate exclusively in Ontario and offer a broad range of legal services, including corporate and litigation. The quantitative results were combined with the Lexpert peer survey, where applicable, and feedback from senior legal professionals. CL is proud to present the 2025–26 ranking of the top 10 Ontario full-service regional firms OPEN FOR BUSINESS after evaluating them on regional service coverage, client base, notable mandates, service excellence, and legal expertise. A close analysis of trends and data from the feedback provided shows the five key attributes of the winning law firms: 1. Exceptional client service: "respon- siveness, attentiveness, and a client- first approach at all levels, from part- ners to staff " 2. Legal expertise and breadth of services: "deep knowledge across a wide range of practice areas, ensuring comprehensive legal support for clients" 3. Quality of lawyers: "highly skilled, knowledgeable, and well-respected lawyers who deliver practical, business- minded advice" 4. Reputation and industry recogni- tion: "a well-established presence in the legal community, known for excellence, integrity, and contributions through mentorship, thought leadership, and innovation" 5. Commitment to excellence: "priori- tizes high-quality legal work, long-term client partnerships, and a culture of continuous improvement" Top law firms in Ontario share blueprints for success Torkin Manes LLP managing partner Jeffrey I. Cohen believes that a great firm is the product of great lawyers with skill sets to match. "You can't compromise on that. My assumption is that every firm we're ever working opposite has great lawyers and skill sets, so doing anything below that would take us down to a service level I would never be happy with," Cohen says. Torkin Manes, a stalwart of CL's pres- tigious list since 2011, has lived up to those words and has been ranked No. 1 in Ontario, recognized for its technical legal expertise and strategic, results-driven advice. The firm has cultivated a reputation for providing exceptional client service, taking the time to fully understand those it represents and their needs. "We are digging deeper into clearly identifying and differentiating ourselves as the top mid-sized go-to firm for entrepreneurs, high- net-worth families, top-end businesses, investors, and private equity firms" Jeffrey I. Cohen, Torkin Manes LLP SPECIAL REPORT