Brian Shiller
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Partner
B.C.L., LL.B
Specialty: Civil Law and Animal Rights Law
image of Brian Shiller
image of Brian Shiller

Brian Shiller
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B.C.L., LL.B
Specialty: Civil Law and Animal Rights Law
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Brian is a founding partner of Ruby Shiller Enenajor, Barristers and leads the firm’s civil litigation practice.

Brian has more than three decades of litigation experience in a broad range of practice areas, with a particular emphasis on media and regulatory law.

He has acted for both plaintiffs and defendants on many claims related to broadcast and internet libel. As counsel on some of the country’s most high-profile defamation cases, Brian has successfully obtained damage awards, retractions and apologies on behalf of a wide array of clients, including politicians, lawyers, doctors and other professionals. Brian successfully argued one of the leading cases on internet libel and the question of proportionality when dealing with the contents of his client’s computer.

Brian’s practice also includes a strong public interest component. He routinely acts for ordinary Canadians who have been wronged by government actors and the police. He has handled dozens of cases against Police Services for unlawful arrest and detention, malicious prosecution, assault and battery and breach of Charter and human rights.

Brian also has extensive experience in all aspects of animal welfare law, having appeared on numerous occasions before the Animal Care Review Board and the Superior Court on many animal regulatory issues.

Brian brings a no-nonsense approach to his cases, with an emphasis from the outset on the best interests of his clients, what can be achieved on their behalf, and at what cost. His skilled advocacy on behalf of clients has resulted in precedent-setting victories. For example, Brian successfully argued one of the leading cases on civil fraud and the right of defendants to access frozen assets to pay daily living expenses and professional fees.

Brian has appeared in all levels of courts in the Province of Ontario and in the Federal Court. Admittedly, his most significant victory in the Federal Court was to save a flying squirrel from deportation. This was his first and only foray into immigration law.

Brian obtained his B.C.L. and LL.B degrees from McGill University and is a licensee of the Law Society of Upper Canada. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Reconnect Community Health Services.

Media

  • Brian Shiller’s work to fight animal cruelty is profiled by CTV News
  • Podcast hosted by Brian Shiller (“Lawpod”) is featured in Law Times
  • Brian Shiller’s work on protecting the legacy of Canadian painter Norval Morrisseau is reported on by CBC News
  • Brian Shiller’s work on behalf of talent agency is reported on by CBC News
  • Brian Shiller’s work representing Canadian pop band Hedley reported on by CTV News
  • Brain Shiller takes on former Toronto mayor Rob Ford in defamation case, Toronto Star reports
  • Brian Shiller’s success in alleged fake-Morrisseau case is reported on by the Globe and Mail
  • Brian Shiller and Clayton Ruby due Toronto Police over actions in G20 summit, Toronto Star reports

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