Headquarters:
101-185 Frederick St. Toronto, ON
Year founded:
2009
Number of employees:
26
Phone:
416 637 3244
Email:
general@woods.qc.ca
Website:
babinbessnerspry.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/babin-bessner-spry-llp
Edward Babin
Partner
Ellen Bessner
Partner
Cynthia Spry
Partner
Leadership
Edward Babin has practised complex litigation in Canada for over 30 years. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in the field. Babin was the recipient of the 2026 Benchmark Hall of Fame award, which honours Canadian litigators whose careers have been defined by leadership, dedication, and unanimous recognition and praise. He has acted in numerous high-stakes commercial matters as well as many high-profile, sports-related matters and as counsel in connection with a number of public inquiries. Babin also has extensive and varied pro bono experience.
Partner
Edward Babin
Ellen Bessner is an experienced, tough-minded commercial litigator, known for her determination and common sense advice. After 25 years of practice on Bay Street at prominent Canadian law firms, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Gowling WLG, Bessner joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2014, where she is a leader in commercial and securities litigation, employment litigation, insurance defence, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, class actions, and regulatory matters. Bessner is regularly retained to advise boards of directors and senior officers on compliance issues.
Partner
Ellen Bessner
Cynthia Spry joined the partnership at Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2010, after practising at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Spry practices commercial litigation, including class actions, contractual and securities litigation, and competition law and has been qualified as an expert on Canadian law (shareholder disputes) in foreign proceedings. Spry is ranked in the Top 100 Women in Litigation by Benchmark Litigation Canada and is also recognized by Chambers for commercial litigation, Lexpert® for commercial and securities litigation, and Best Lawyers as a leading commercial litigator. Spry is the secretary of The Advocates’ Society and sits on its board of directors.
Partner
Cynthia Spry
Michael Bookman
Partner
Michael Bookman joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2018 and became a partner in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Bookman practised at a global full-service firm, where he acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, securities, tort, and class-action proceedings. Bookman has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Bookman is recognized as a leading commercial litigator in the publication Best Lawyers in Canada and has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation Canada.
Partner
Michael Bookman
Brendan Monahan
Partner
Brendan Monahan joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2018 and became a partner in 2025. His practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, including in the areas of securities litigation, contractual disputes, shareholder and oppression litigation, directors and officers’ liability, bankruptcy and insolvency matters, competition law, and class-action proceedings. Monahan is recognized as a leader in his field by Benchmark Litigation, which named him to its “40 & Under List”. Monahan is also recognized by the publication Best Lawyers in Canada as a “One to Watch” for his work in corporate and commercial litigation.
Partner
Brendan Monahan
Brittiny Rabinovitch
Partner
Brittiny Rabinovitch joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP in 2024 and became a partner in 2026. Prior to joining the firm, Rabinovitch practised at the leading national law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. She is a skilled and experienced litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial disputes. She also has particular expertise in Aboriginal Law, environmental and municipal law disputes, and advisory work, as well as in administrative, regulatory, and federal court matters. Rabinovitch has been recognized by her peers as a Best Lawyers Canada “One to Watch” for the last three years. She is a member of The Advocates’ Society Mid-Career Advocates’ Standing Committee.
Partner
Brittiny Rabinovitch
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“Swimming is more than a sport – it is an essential life skill that can save lives. Aquastar Swim Schools believes every child deserves the skills, confidence and awareness to stay safe around water, regardless of their background or access to private lessons”
Gareth Cope,
Aquastar Swim Schools
“Aquastar Swim Schools strives to be a genuine extension of each school community, delivering safe, organised and flexible programs tailored to individual needs. Great service goes beyond swimming lessons – it means building trust, supporting families and creating positive outcomes for students”
Peter Smith,
Aquastar Swim Schools
Babin Bessner Spry LLP is a boutique litigation firm that is active in a wide range of practice areas, including securities litigation, corporate governance issues (including director and officer liability), shareholder oppression litigation and derivative actions, insolvency, intellectual property, conspiracy, fraud, product liability, professional liability and discipline, employment, competition, class actions, and advertising law. We also handle a variety of public interest and pro bono matters.
The firm was founded in 2009 by Ed Babin, a senior partner for many years in the highly rated litigation departments of two of Canada’s pre-eminent law firms, Torys LLP and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. Cynthia Spry joined the partnership in 2010, and Ellen Bessner joined in 2014 to form Babin Bessner Spry LLP.
We are problem solvers. If you have a legal problem, whether it is simple or incredibly complex, we will help you to find the best and most cost-effective solution. We craft the right answer for each legal situation, whether you need a strong advocate or help to reach a negotiated solution. We are committed to bringing our experience, creativity, and dedication to every client and every case.
Water safety for every child
For some families, where cost or access is a barrier, a school program may be the only structured swimming and water safety education their child receives, which is why Aquastar’s School Swimming and Water Safety Program goes beyond swimming lessons. Each swimmer is assessed against age- and ability-appropriate skills and receives
certificates and water safety education resources, giving schools measurable evidence of progress alongside the harder-to-measure gains in confidence and independence.
Aquastar’s commitment to children extends past the lessons themselves, with scholarships, fundraising, Giving Days and employment opportunities for young people carrying Aquastar's community focus beyond the pool.
The company's read on the future stays close to that purpose: expanding practical learn to swim and water safety, reaching more children through school partnerships, and continuing to invest in the next generation of teachers and supervisors.
Recognition in The Educator’s Service Provider Awards for 2026 reflects a business that has grown quickly while keeping its founding priorities intact – helping more children become confident, capable and safe in the water.