Geoffrey (Geoff) Shaw* is a partner in the Litigation Group at Cassels. The main focus of Geoff’s practice is the resolution of franchise law disputes through trial, appeal, mediation or arbitration. Geoff has been described by clients in Who’s Who Legal as being the “go-to-guy” and “at the top of his game” when it comes to class action defence in franchising. He is also recognized as a Legal Eagle by Franchise Times, a designation given to the top 100 franchise lawyers in North America. Geoff has a number of important reported decisions in the franchise law area and his class action work on behalf of Pet Valu was highlighted by Lexpert magazine. Geoff also practices in the field of tax litigation and securities regulatory work.
A few of his notable cases include:
- Achieving favourable settlement approval on behalf of a franchisor of a franchisee-led class action where the judge acknowledged: “the outcome of this class action by settlement is very poor for the Class Members, who have gained nothing”
- Acting for a number of franchisors to successfully restrict departing franchisees from doing franchise business contrary to their non-competition covenants
- Achieving dismissal of $100 million franchisee-led class action over rebates on behalf of franchisor
- Currently defending major pharmaceutical claim in 4 opioid related class actions
Geoff is a past instructor at the Bar Admission Course – Civil Procedures Section and Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop – Osgoode Hall Law School in expert testimony and cross-examinations. He teaches Franchise Law at Queen’s University. Geoff recently completed his second term as a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Legal Symposium Task Force. He regularly speaks and writes for various franchise law conferences and publications. He is a contributing editor to Federated Press’ Franchise & Distribution Journal, contributing author of Dispute Resolution & Franchise Litigation in Canada, part of the American Bar Association’s publication Fundamentals of Franchising – Canada, and contributing co-editor for the Canadian portions of the American Bar Association’s publication Covenants Against Competition in Franchise Agreements, 3rd and 4th editions.
*denotes Professional Corporation
