Experienced Business Lawyers Based in Ottawa
D. Kenneth Gibson, B.A., LL.B.
Senior Partner
Education
Bachelor of Laws: University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Arts (Political Science): University of Manitoba
Call to the Bar of Ontario: 1974
Areas of Practice
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Corporate-Commercial Law
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Bankruptcy & Insolvency
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Municipal and Environmental Law
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Environmental Remediation
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Commercial Litigation and Arbitration
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Commercial and Residential Real Estate, Financing and Leasing
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Development and Construction Financing
Ken is the senior partner of Gibsons LLP. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1974. He founded his practice in 1977 which has grown into a substantial partnership. The hallmark of Ken’s practice is dedication to client service. His creative approach to problem solving has attracted both individual and corporate clients with a wide range of needs requiring innovative and focused approaches to problem solving. Through leadership and team management Ken has spear-headed multi-million dollar commercial acquisitions and complicated commercial arbitrations and litigation processes to provide holistic solutions for his clients. At the same time he maintains a constant open door policy for his colleagues and his staff. Ken actively promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to providing integrated client service. This results in more predictable outcome in a timely fashion. He provides corporate counsel services to many business clients who rely on him for services similar to in-house corporate counsel including strategy formulation, direction to other legal professionals and extensive legal testimony and depositions in place of corporate officers.
Ken has also appeared as counsel in Ontario Superior Court, Ontario Court of Appeal, Tax Court of Canada, Federal Court of Canada, Federal Court of Appeal and Ontario Municipal Board
Ken is an avid runner having completed his first National Capitol Marathon in 1975 and his most recent in New York City. His determination extends to the delivery of client services which require stamina and durability. The entire firm reflects his attitude and approach to practice.
D. Lewis McCowell
Partner, B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.
Education
Bachelor of Laws: University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Arts (Honours History):University of Western Ontario
Call to the Bar of Ontario: 1986
Lew has extensive experience in the areas of residential real estate, mortgage financing and real estate development. He also has considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of Wills, Trusts and Estate and Trust management and administration. He holds seminars from time to time on Wills and Estate planning issues. Lew brings insight and experience gained through over 30 years of practice to provide timely and knowledgeable advice to our clients.
Lew is a former member of the Board of Directors for Ottawa Salus Corporation, a non-profit organization providing supportive housing for those recovering from mental illness.
Lew is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa and has been practicing law in Ottawa since his call to the Bar in 1986.
Russell Gibson
Partner
Education
LLB. : University of Western Ontario
B. Soc. Sci.: University of Ottawa
Institute of Corporate Directors Education Program - Telfer-Rotman
Call to the Bar of Ontario: 1998
Registered Trade-Mark Agent: 2000 - 2012
Languages Spoken
English
French
Areas of Practice
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Charity Law, including not for profit and registered charities (municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals) and associations, including for entities outside of Canada.
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Corporate Law and real estate, including buying and selling business, secured financing, restructuring and insolvency matters as corporate counsel.
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Estate administration matters and Estate Planning with a particular emphasis on advanced forms of giving including planned giving, creative use of trusts and other estate planning tools such as charitable foundations.
Russ has worked with various institutions, corporations, and charities, often as corporate counsel, as well as with individual clients. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Russell was a journalist and a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Russell is the author of various articles, particularly regarding developments in corporate law, and has taught seminars at St. Paul University for the leadership of Catholic Religious Institutes, and been a presenter for the Canadian Canon Law Society on the topic of corporations, re-organizations and foundations, and appeared before various parliamentary committees, including in Ontario (the Standing Committee on Private Bills) regarding the Ronald McDonald House Municipal Tax exemptions (London and Hamilton), regarding the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton Amendment Act, An Act to amend the governing statute for St. Paul University (Ottawa) and the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Long-Term Care Homes Act. Russ has also prepared private bill legislation adopted in Alberta and in Nova Scotia in respect of re-organization of religious congregations. Russell has acted as Chief Agent for L’Entraide Insurance Company and is the current Chief Agent for L'Union of Canada Insurance Company with regulatory authorities of the Ontario Government. Russell regularly represents clients in respect of charity applications and other matters involving the Canada Revenue Agency, particularly with respect to regulatory compliance with the Income Tax Act (Canada). Russ has been counsel in matters before the Ontario Muncipal Board, the Superior Court of Justice and was co-legal counsel to the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, as intervenor, in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General) before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Current Affiliations
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Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), member
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Canadian Canon Law Society, Presenter at 2020 Annual Conference on Incorporation of Diocesan Parishes
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Catholic Centre for Immigrants Foundation, President
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Carleton County Law Association, Co-Chair of the Annual CCLA Solicitors' Conference
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Galilee Mission Centre of Arnprior, Director
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Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus 13781
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Russell is active in his local community as President of the Rockcliffe Park Residents' Association and secretary to the Board of the Rockcliffe Hosers' Corporation
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Ottawa Estate Planning Council Member, and volunteer legal counsel to the Good Companions' Seniors Centre of Ottawa (20+ years)
Jason Rabin
Civil Litigator
Tel: 613-238-8865 (extension 323)
Direct Dial: 613-238-8866 (extension 323)
Professional:
Law Society of Ontario, since 2006
The Advocates' Society
Part-Time Professor of Law, University of Ottawa
Speaker, Insurance Institute of Canada
LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School
BA (Hons), University of Toronto
Jason Rabin is a seasoned litigator with over 14 years of experience handling a wide array of insurance, commercial, and personal injury claims. He has represented insurance companies, municipalities and corporations in cases ranging from complex insurance coverage disputes to multi-party construction and product liability claims. Jason has appeared before various levels of Court and argued and won complex claims.
Jason enjoys making innovative arguments and advocating strongly for his client's interests and he has keen understanding of the law. Jason is also a part-time professor of law at the University of Ottawa, Law School, where he teaches aspiring advocates about civil litigation in his civil procedure course.
Peggy E. Gibson. B.A., M.E.S. (Planning)
Urban and Environmental Planner
Education
Master in Environmental Studies (Planning), York University
Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), Carleton University
Peggy Gibson practises in association with Gibsons LLP. She brings over 25 years of diversified experience from being a registered builder of residential housing, land development, and holding a master’s degree in planning. She works closely with our team of lawyers to develop strategic plans with multi-disciplinary approach that includes consultation with government agencies, preparation of development applications supported by sound planning rationale. She has given planning opinion at the Ontario Municipal Board. Her knowledge of municipal affairs, construction, environmental and planning issues provide a comprehensive consultancy base from which to formulate legal strategies to propose solutions for client issues crossing those areas of concern. She has served on a number of Boards including Chair of the Committee of Adjustment of the former Rockcliffe Village, and the Ottawa Presbytery of the United Church, as well as many volunteer community and charitable organizations. She is an avid runner and traveller having completed many marathons in various high profile running venues around the world.
Michael Dobbin
Tel: 613-238-8865
Education
Juris Doctor: University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Arts (Economics, Political Science & Philosophy): University of British Columbia
Associate of Arts: Medicine Hat College
Call to the Bar of Ontario: 2021
AREAS OF PRACTICE
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Development & Construction
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Municipal
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Mortgages & Financing
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Corporate-Commercial
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Residential & Commercial Real Estate
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Wills & Estates
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Civil Litigation
Michael Dobbin joined Gibsons LLP as an articling student in 2020 and completed his articles in 2021. He has gained valuable experience in several areas of law, including municipal law, corporate law, commercial law, real estate and mortgages, wills and estates, and civil litigation.
Michael has a particular interest in construction law, having over a decade of industrial construction experience in the energy sector before achieving a law degree. He is a Blue and Red Seal Journeyman Tradesman and the founder of the Canadian Pipefitter’s Alliance. In addition, Michael participated in the Access to Justice Legal Clinic for two years during law school, providing legal assistance to people with unmet civil legal needs.
As a lawyer at Gibsons LLP, Michael believes in open, ongoing, and transparent communication with clients. He seeks to find innovative and cost-effective solutions to client’s problems.
Outside of the office, Michael enjoys cycling, golf, hockey and snowboarding, and taking advantage of everything that the great city of Ottawa has to offer.
