Sotos LLP

Sotos LLP Sotos is a boutique business law firm that helps people and businesses succeed.

We offer a full spectrum of legal services tailored to meet diverse client needs. At Sotos LLP, we pride ourselves on being more than just lawyers, we are reliable partners you can trust to help navigate the complexities of business law. Our areas of expertise include franchising, licensing, and distribution law, corporate and commercial law, litigation, intellectual property, labour and employmen

t law, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, commercial real estate and leasing, and securities regulation and compliance. We also have experience in niche sectors such as automotive, cannabis, grocery, hospitality, natural resources and mining, restaurants, and retail. Additionally, we provide strategic guidance in marketing and advertising, information technology and data privacy, corporate governance, corporate finance, consumer protection, and succession planning.

We are delighted to welcome Ashley Caldwell as a Senior Associate in our corporate and commercial group.Ashley advises C...
10/06/2025

We are delighted to welcome Ashley Caldwell as a Senior Associate in our corporate and commercial group.

Ashley advises Canadian and international clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including share and asset acquisitions and divestitures, corporate reorganisations, shareholder agreements, commercial leases, and other business contracts. Her practice also includes franchising, licensing, and distribution, where she guides both franchisors and franchisees on the negotiation of franchise agreements, the purchase and sale of franchised businesses, compliance with legislation, and dispute resolution.

Ashley has been recognised by Chambers Canada 2026 as an Associate to Watch. In addition, she actively contributes to the profession as the Newsletter Editor for the Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section Executive, and as a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Franchise Association, the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, and the International Franchise Association.

Ashely strives to provide clear, practical advice that helps clients achieve their commercial objectives with confidence. She is a valued addition to our team.

For further information, please visit her bio page: https://www.sotosllp.com/team/ashley-caldwell/.

We are proud to welcome Debi Sutin as a Partner in our corporate and commercial group.Debi brings decades of experience ...
10/06/2025

We are proud to welcome Debi Sutin as a Partner in our corporate and commercial group.

Debi brings decades of experience advising Canadian and international clients on franchising, licensing, and distribution matters, corporate and commercial law, and mergers &acquisitions. She is widely recognised for combining legal insight with practical business advice, guiding clients through complex transactions with clarity and confidence.

She is also a trusted advisor to franchisors across diverse industries and has played a leadership role in shaping best practices in Canada. Debi has consistently been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Canada, Best Lawyers in Canada, and the Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory, and in 2022 was inducted into the Franchise Times Hall of Fame.

Beyond her client work, Debi is deeply engaged in the legal community. She has served as co-chair of the Ontario Bar Association Annual Franchise Law Conference, actively contributes to the Canadian Franchise Association, the International Franchise Association, and the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, and is a sought-after speaker and writer.

Known for her collaborative approach and commitment to client service, Debi is a valued addition to our firm. We are delighted to welcome her to the Sotos team.

For further information, please visit her bio page: https://www.sotosllp.com/team/debi-sutin/.

Sotos LLP is pleased to announce that Daniel Hamson has been named a Partner at the firm.“We are very pleased to be welc...
01/02/2025

Sotos LLP is pleased to announce that Daniel Hamson has been named a Partner at the firm.

“We are very pleased to be welcoming Daniel to the partnership. Daniel is an inspiration to everyone at the firm for his dedication to client service, his advocacy skills, his sound judgment and for being a pleasure to work with whatever the demands. We wish Daniel the best as he embarks on this next stage of his career.” said Allan Dick, Partner.

Daniel manages a broad civil litigation practice, with a particular focus on all manner of disputes in the franchising, licensing and distribution industry. He applies his extensive knowledge of the industry to formulate and implement effective dispute resolution strategies through litigation, arbitration, mediation or negotiations. In addition, Daniel also represents clients in corporate and commercial disputes, and construction disputes, and is frequently retained to assist in a range of special situations, such as fast-paced injunctions.

He has appeared before every level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before national and international arbitration tribunals.

Daniel has received multiple legal accolades, including being recognized as “Ones to Watch” in Best Lawyers in Canada for Corporate and Commercial Litigation, and being named as a “Lawyer to Watch” by the Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory in the franchise law category, as well as in the LEXPERT Special Edition – Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers.

To learn more about Daniel’s practice, read his full bio: https://www.sotosllp.com/team/daniel-hamson/.

Congratulations, Daniel!

From all of us at Sotos, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy, warmth, and cherished moments. Here is to a brigh...
12/24/2024

From all of us at Sotos, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy, warmth, and cherished moments. Here is to a bright and successful New Year ahead!

We are proud to share that the Sotos team participated in the Law Firm Challenge, raising the most money per capita. To...
12/24/2024

We are proud to share that the Sotos team participated in the Law Firm Challenge, raising the most money per capita. Together with other participating law firms, we achieved a record-breaking total of $582,928.72 - exceeding last year’s $460,000 milestone and surpassing the ambitious 2024 goal of $571,500.

Our combined efforts will enable the Daily Bread Food Bank to distribute an additional 582,000+ meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Toronto. With food bank visits at an all-time high, these funds will make a meaningful difference in ensuring our community has access to fresh, nutritious food this holiday season and beyond.

A huge thank you to our incredible team, our generous supporters, and all the participating firms who made this success possible. Together, we are helping to build a stronger, more supportive community.

Check out the latest article by Jason Brisebois and Lauren Huxtable, "Not Just a Drop in the Bucket: Competition Tribuna...
11/07/2024

Check out the latest article by Jason Brisebois and Lauren Huxtable, "Not Just a Drop in the Bucket: Competition Tribunal Orders Record-Breaking Penalty for Drip Pricing". The Competition Tribunal has ordered Cineplex to pay a $38.5 million penalty for hidden “drip pricing” fees - a first since new Competition Act amendments. This sends a strong message to all Canadian businesses: price transparency is now non-negotiable.

Read more on how this ruling impacts pricing practices in Canada and what it means for businesses moving forward: https://www.sotosllp.com/not-just-a-drop-in-the-bucket-competition-tribunal-orders-record-breaking-penalty-for-drip-pricing/

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently released its decision in Spina v. Shoppers Drug Mart. This ruling emphasizes the im...
10/23/2024

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently released its decision in Spina v. Shoppers Drug Mart. This ruling emphasizes the importance of good faith in contractual performance and will be of interest to both franchisors and franchisees.

In their article, Adrienne Boudreau and Evan Brander break down the Court of Appeal’s findings. Read the full article to explore this landmark case and its impact on franchise law: https://www.sotosllp.com/a-prescription-for-good-faith-the-court-of-appeals-decision-in-spina-v-shoppers-drug-mart/.

We are proud to announce that Sotos LLP has been ranked in Band 1 for Franchising by Chambers Canada for the 10th year i...
10/07/2024

We are proud to announce that Sotos LLP has been ranked in Band 1 for Franchising by Chambers Canada for the 10th year in a row, solidifying our position as a leading law firm in the franchise industry across Canada. In addition to this firm-wide recognition, we are proud to celebrate the individual rankings of five of our lawyers: John Sotos, Allan Dick, Peter Viitre, CFE, John Yiokaris, and Adrienne Boudreau. Congratulations to the team.

Chambers and Partners remains the gold standard for legal rankings, relying on rigorous independent research to identify top firms and lawyers across the country. This recognition reinforces our unwavering commitment to excellence and client service.

Read more here: https://www.sotosllp.com/chambers-canada-2025-ranks-sotos-llp-in-band-1-for-franchising-for-the-10th-year-in-a-row/.

This day is dedicated to a national reflection on the lasting impact of the residential school system on the First Natio...
09/30/2024

This day is dedicated to a national reflection on the lasting impact of the residential school system on the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We join with the country to reinforce that our journey toward reconciliation requires ongoing efforts through listening, learning, and taking meaningful actions.

Our latest insight delves into how Alberta’s top court has recognized a franchisor's right to compensation during exprop...
09/26/2024

Our latest insight delves into how Alberta’s top court has recognized a franchisor's right to compensation during expropriation, even if the franchisor doesn't own or lease the land. This is a crucial read for franchise counsel, especially those involved in brick-and-mortar locations, offering a fresh take on the legal interpretation of possession and interest under expropriation law.

Read the full article here: https://www.sotosllp.com/a-boost-to-franchisor-entitlements-under-albertas-expropriation-act/.

Address

55 University Avenue , Suite 600
Toronto, ON
M5J2H7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

416-977-0007

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