TEAM

ENTERPRISING LEGAL MINDS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Meet our experienced team of Legal Professionals

DARLENE TONELLI

Darlene founded Inter Alia Law to bring the expertise of seasoned in-house counsel to companies with either no in-house lawyer, or an overburdened legal department. She recruits lawyers used to working as part of a business team, and who understand how to get agreements closed while managing risk. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Universal Music

EDUCATION:

University of Toronto, LL.B
University of Calgary, B.A. (Hons)

MICHAEL HILLIARD

Michael is a technology lawyer who advises companies ranging from start-ups to global industry leaders on legal and regulatory matters.

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IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Microsoft

EDUCATION:

University of Toronto, LL.B
Queen’s University, B.A. (Hons)

SIMON MCGRATH

Simon has more than 15 years’ experience leading commercial negotiations and drafting agreements in a deadline-driven environment. He takes a relationship-focused approach and integrates into any business team with ease. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Live Nation

EDUCATION

University of Western Ontario, LL.B
Huron College, B.A.

RICHARD WILKS

Richard has more than 20 years of experience in commercial drafting and negotiations. He takes a business-focused approach to get the deal done. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Shaw Media

EDUCATION

University of Arizona/Thunderbird, M.B.A.
University of Western Ontario, B.A., LL.B

MIKE ANDERSON

Mike is an experienced General Counsel. He is a problem solver that provides clear legal advice to his clients.
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IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: ME to WE

EDUCATION

University of Ottawa, B.A., J.D.

DUNIA EL-JAWHARI

Dunia is an experienced in-house counsel with a background in corporate and securities law. She provides practical legal advice, with a business-focused approach. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Sherritt International Corporation

EDUCATION

University of Windsor, LL.B
University of Toronto, B.A. – French and Spanish language and literature

CHRIS SANZ

Chris is an experienced commercial, technology and cannabis lawyer. He takes a business focused approach to his practice. Chris integrates well with both large multi-national companies and start-ups. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Bank of Montreal, The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc.

EDUCATION

Osgoode Hall, LL.B
University of Waterloo, B.Sc.

VIVIAN LEUNG

Vivian is an experienced General Counsel in the technology space. She brings a common sense approach, tailored to achieving her clients’ business objectives. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: BlueCat Networks, OpenText.

EDUCATION

University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, J.D.
University of Toronto, B.A. (Hons)

STEVEN CHOI

Steven brings high level experience from one of Canada’s fastest growing startups, big firm training, and major skills as a team player to his clients in the tech space. LEARN MORE.

IN-HOUSE EXPERIENCE: Flipp Corporation

EDUCATION

University of Ottawa, LL.B
University of Waterloo, B.A.Sc., Computer Engineering

All Inter Alia lawyers practice in association with Darlene Tonelli Professional Corporation. We are not partners in a law firm and are only liable for the legal advice we each provide to our clients, and not for the actions of other lawyers in the association.

Ready to get Inter Alia working for you?

Darlene Tonelli

“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Steve Jobs

Darlene primarily represents technology, media and entertainment companies, with a particular focus on clients experiencing rapid growth. In addition to drafting and negotiating a wide variety of general commercial agreements, Darlene provides advice on intellectual property licensing and related matters. She aims to integrate with her clients’ business teams, assisting not just with contract drafting, but with the vision for the deal and the way it fits in with overall company strategy.

Prior to founding Inter Alia Law, Darlene spent eight years as in-house counsel for Universal Music, most recently as Vice President, Business Development & Corporate Affairs. Prior to Universal, Darlene was a lawyer with Goodmans LLP in Toronto.

BEYOND THE BIO :

Darlene is inspired by anyone who has achieved success by doing what he or she loves to do.

EDUCATION :

University of Toronto, LL.B
University of Calgary, B.A. (Hons) – Political Science

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION :

Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 (Entertainment Law)
Music Canada Advisory Board Member

YEAR OF CALL : 2003

CONTACT : darlene@interalia-law.com

Michael Hilliard

In addition to drafting and negotiating agreements, Michael also provides advice on Canadian intellectual property, competition, privacy, advertising and promotions, Internet sales and French language laws.

Prior to joining Inter Alia Law, Michael functioned as general counsel for Microsoft Canada’s online, consumer and channel sales and marketing divisions as well as its developer, human resources, operations and finance groups. While at Microsoft, Michael also led key government and regulatory affairs and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Michael began his legal career as an intellectual property litigator at Gowlings GSH and then joined the technology business law group at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, both in Toronto.

EDUCATION :

- University of Toronto, LL.B
- Queen’s University, B.A. (Hons) – Economics and Political Studies

YEAR OF CALL : 1998

CONTACT : michael@interalia-law.com

Michael’s services are provided by Michael Hilliard Professional Corporation, in association with Inter Alia Law.

Simon McGrath

“Have fun. Be kind. Have worth. Have friends. Be honest. Laugh.”

Ricky Gervais

Simon's practice includes the negotiation and drafting of a wide range of agreements including performance agreements, sponsorship agreements and license agreements as well as a variety of general corporate and commercial contracts. He approaches all negotiations with a solid focus on building positive relationships and protecting his clients’ interests.

Before joining Inter Alia Law, Simon oversaw the legal department of Live Nation Global Touring, a division of Live Nation Entertainment Inc. Prior to Live Nation, Simon practiced as a corporate and securities lawyer at Goodmans LLP.

BEYOND THE BIO :

Off hours, Simon can be found hurling himself down mountains (or bunny hills) or at his favorite place on the planet - the Lake Huron shore with his wife, son and daughter.

EDUCATION :

University of Western Ontario, LL.B.
Huron College, B.A. – History

YEAR OF CALL : 2003

CONTACT : simon@interalia-law.com

Richard Wilks

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.”

Wayne Gretzky

Prior to joining Inter Alia, Richard ran his own legal and consulting practice through which he acted as general counsel to a well-known Canadian technology start-up, and advisor to a major television distributor on content and rights licensing. Richard has experience with the wide range of agreements that arise for companies experiencing rapid growth and change, and brings legal and business acumen to book publishing, film and TV deals, software licenses, sales agreements and copyright and trademark issues.

Prior to running his own practice, Richard worked for 10 years at Shaw Media (formerly CanWest) where he led the legal teams that negotiated content licenses and distribution agreements for Shaw’s TV networks and digital media properties. Richard is a mentor at Ryerson’s DMZ and at ideaBOOST, the Canadian Film Centre’s accelerator program for digital entertainment and technology start-ups.

BEYOND THE BIO :

When not practicing law, Richard can be found: playing hockey, spending time with his wife and twin boys, and discovering new (and old) music.

EDUCATION :

University of Arizona/Thunderbird, M.B.A.
University of Western Ontario, B.A. (Economics), LL.B.

YEAR OF CALL : 1995

CONTACT : richard@interalia-law.com

Mike Anderson

"My friends, watch out for the little fellow with an idea."

Tommy Douglas

Prior to joining Inter Alia Law, Mike worked as General Counsel to WE Charity and ME to WE, two award-winning organizations that provide education and international development services to communities worldwide. In this role, Mike supervised legal affairs related to WE Day (an arena-sized youth empowerment event) and its related television properties. Mike advises on copyright and trademark matters, sponsorships, contract negotiations, child protection, charity law, marketing, and other compliance matters.

He has a unique understanding of the media and entertainment industry, as he worked in Canadian media as a Segment Producer and Political Correspondent before he was called to the bar. Mike is a problem-solver that provides clear legal advice to his clients.

BEYOND THE BIO :

Mike talks about his GC role in the latest issue of Canadian Lawyer Mag. Read the article here.
When not practicing law, Mike can be found playing softball, obsessing over the Toronto Blue Jays or sampling craft beers.

EDUCATION :

University of Ottawa Faculty of Law – J.D. (2013)
University of Ottawa Faculty of Arts – Media and Communications – B.A. (2008)

YEAR OF CALL : 2014

CONTACT : mike.anderson@interalia-law.com

Dunia

El-Jawhari

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

Dunia reviews, drafts, and negotiates a wide variety of contracts, including consulting agreements, service provider agreements and a range of technology-related agreements. She also assists clients with documents relating to public and private offerings, corporate governance documents and policies, and various compliance matters.

Before joining Inter Alia Law, Dunia practiced in-house as Senior Legal Counsel at a Canadian mining company. Prior to that, she was a corporate finance and securities lawyer at Lang Michener LLP (now McMillan LLP).

EDUCATION :

- University of Windsor, LL.B
- University of Toronto, B.A. (Hons) – French and Spanish Language and Literature

BEYOND THE BIO :

- When not practicing law, Dunia can be found spending time with family (including as a hockey mom), and baking for family and friends.

YEAR OF CALL : 2002

CONTACT : dunia@interalia-law.com

Chris Sanz

“Don't find the fault, find the remedy.”

Henry Ford

Chris has a broad base of experience to draw upon. He has deep expertise reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts, with a focus on the technology and cannabis industries. In addition, Chris advises on cannabis promotion and compliance matters, privacy, and vendor risk management programs. He provides practical, business focused advice tailored to his client’s needs.
Before joining Inter Alia Law, Chris practiced in-house as Senior Counsel in the Technology and Operations Legal Group at the Bank of Montreal and as Director of Legal at The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. While at Bank of Montreal, Chris led the vendor risk management legal team. Prior to working in-house, Chris was a technology and corporate lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Toronto.

EDUCATION :

- Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B
- University of Waterloo, B.Sc.

BEYOND THE BIO :

- When not practicing law, Chris enjoys spending time with his young family and attempting to play hockey.

YEAR OF CALL : 2008

CONTACT : chris.sanz@interalia-law.com

Chris’s services are provided by Christopher Sanz Professional Corporation, in association with Inter Alia Law.

Vivian Leung

“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”

Malcolm Gladwell

Prior to joining Inter Alia Law, Vivian was the General Counsel at BlueCat Networks, a software company that helps enterprise customers stay connected throughout the network. At BlueCat, Vivian had responsibility for worldwide customer licensing (both SaaS/subscription and perpetual), risk management, corporate governance, HR matters and procurement. Prior to BlueCat, Vivian was Assistant General Counsel at OpenText, an enterprise information management software company.

Before her in-house experience, Vivian was in private practice at Stikeman Elliott in Toronto and Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale) in Boston.

BEYOND THE BIO :

Vivian can be found in the kitchen butchering perfectly good recipes, snuggled up on the couch with a good book or walking her two fur babies.

EDUCATION :

University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, J.D.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION :

Winner of Mid-Market Excellence, 2017, Canadian General Counsel Awards (CGCA), recognizing the contribution of in-house counsel in a private company
Featured in the 14th Annual InHouse Roundtable, Canadian Lawyer Magazine (June 2019) Bird’s-Eye View, GCs getting a seat at the table

YEAR OF CALL : 2001

CONTACT : vivian@interalia-law.com

Steven Choi

“It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life's story will develop.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Prior to joining Inter Alia Law, Steven was the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Flipp Corporation, the leading digital circular platform that connects millions of shoppers with their favourite retailers. He joined very early on (~25 people) and helped grow the company to 450+ people, with the company winning numerous awards along the way (Great Places to Work and Deloitte's Best Managed Companies, to name a few). During his tenure at Flipp, Steven had a multi-faceted role responsible for legal, information security, information technology and administration. In his legal capacity, he was responsible for all legal matters, including, commercial agreements, employment matters, IP procurement, privacy matters and fundraising activities.

Before joining Flipp, Steven was in private practice at Gowling WLG (previously Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP) in Ottawa in its IP department, where he primarily focused in patent law. Steven is a registered patent agent and a computer engineer.

BEYOND THE BIO :

When not practicing law, Steven loves spending time with his kids (Claire and Alex) and when they're not around, he spends his time sweating at the gym.

EDUCATION :

University of Ottawa, LL.B
University of Waterloo, B.A.Sc., Computer Engineering

YEAR OF CALL : 2009

CONTACT : steven.choi@interalia-law.com

TEAM

ENTERPRISING LEGAL MINDS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Meet our experienced team of Legal Professionals

DARLENE TONELLI

MICHAEL HILLIARD

SIMON MCGRATH

RICHARD WILKS

MIKE ANDERSON

DUNIA EL-JAWHARI

CHRIS SANZ

VIVIAN LEUNG

STEVEN CHOI

Ready to get Inter Alia working for you?

Darlene Tonelli

Michael Hilliard

Simon McGrath

Richard Wilks

Mike Anderson

Dunia

El-Jawhari

Chris Sanz

Vivian Leung

Steven Choi

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