Sahil Kesar, Toronto

About Sahil

Sahil is a litigation and arbitration lawyer focusing on shareholder activism and public-market disputes, construction litigation, domestic and international arbitrations, and regulatory compliance. He acts for clients across diverse and highly regulated industries, bringing a practical, strategic approach that emphasizes clarity, efficiency and responsiveness.

Sahil advises public and private companies on contested shareholder and governance issues, securities-related disputes, and complex construction matters involving major infrastructure, mining, and industrial projects. He also assists regulated professionals and entities across various sectors, including advising gaming and gambling operators in a wide range of disputes.

Sahil has appeared as lead counsel at all levels of court in Ontario and in matters before courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He regularly appears before arbitral tribunals, administrative bodies and regulatory authorities, offering clients a measured, solutions-driven approach across every forum.

Select Experience

Arbitrations

Counsel for a public utility in an application for leave to appeal an arbitration award involving a C$350-million underlying arbitration for construction of significant energy infrastructure
Counsel to a commodities trading firm in an application to set aside an international arbitral award involving dismissal of an underlying claim
Counsel for the designer/builder of municipal infrastructure in a C$25-million ICC arbitration
Counsel for a publicly traded biopharma company in a US$30-million ad-hoc arbitration arising from the termination of a CEO following a proxy contest
Counsel for a publicly traded biopharma company seeking enforcement of a C$3-million arbitral award and a related set-aside application and subsequent appeals

Public Market, Shareholder and Securities-Related Disputes

Counsel for a shareholder in a governance dispute arising from a C$2.15-billion transaction with a publicly traded energy company
Counsel for a publicly traded cannabis company in a C$55-million oppression claim brought by an activist shareholder
Part of the Blakes trial team representing two publicly traded mining companies in a US$12-million claim for an alleged finder's fee and unjust enrichment in connection with a US$240-million purchase of a mining project in South America
Part of the Blakes trial team representing two publicly traded mining companies in a US$12-million claim for an alleged finder’s fee and unjust enrichment in connection with a US$240-million purchase of a mining project in South America
Counsel for the designer/builder of municipal infrastructure in a C$25-million ICC arbitration
Counsel for a publicly traded mining company in a proposed class action alleging failures to disclose material information
Counsel for a publicly traded financial services company in a class action alleging negligence

Construction Litigation

Counsel for the general contractor of mining infrastructure in a C$35-million lien claim by the subcontractor
Counsel for the general contractor of mining infrastructure in Northern Ontario in a C$9.1-million adjudication under the prompt payment provisions of Ontario's Construction Act
Counsel for a publicly traded mining company in a lien claim by the subcontractor arising from the development of mining infrastructure

Gaming and Gambling

Counsel for a publicly traded gaming operator in settlement of a wagers dispute
Counsel for a publicly traded gaming operator in a problem-gambling dispute
Counsel for a private payment services provider in a problem gambling dispute

Regulatory Compliance

Counsel for various accounting firms regarding licensure and discipline matters
Counsel for various law firms regarding regulatory and commercial matters
Counsel for individuals, corporations and partnerships defending various Ontario Provincial Offences Act prosecutions

Professional Activities

Sahil is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, The Advocates' Society, the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto, the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society, and the Ontario Bar Association. He currently sits on the Young Lawyers' Division of the North American South Asian Bar Association.

Sahil is a former director of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Toronto and founder of its Young Lawyers' Division. He previously sat as the SABA Toronto representative to the Roundtable of Diversity Associations and served as director and secretary of SABA in British Columbia. He was also a member of the Governance and Finance Committee of the South Asian Legal Clinic of British Columbia.

Sahil volunteers for a number of charitable organizations aimed at reducing barriers faced by socio-economically disadvantaged youths.

In recognition of his contributions professionally and personally, Sahil was named one of York University's Top 30 under 30 Alumni in 2023 and an Emerging Leader by The Peak in 2025.