About Us - Embervale Ascendant Legal

Who We Really Are

Look, we get it – the legal world can feel like you're swimming through molasses while reading ancient Greek. That's exactly why we started Embervale Ascendant Legal back in the day. We wanted to build something different, a firm where business owners and executives could actually talk to their lawyers without needing a law degree just to understand what's happening.

We're based right here in Toronto's financial district, and honestly, that's no accident. Being in the heart of where business happens means we've got our finger on the pulse of what companies are dealing with day-to-day. Whether you're closing a major acquisition or dealing with a messy dispute, we've been there and done that more times than we can count.

Our Journey

Every milestone brought us closer to who we are today

2011

The Beginning

Started in a small office with just three lawyers who had a vision. We wanted to prove that corporate law didn't have to be stuffy or unapproachable. Our first client was a tech startup that's now publicly traded – still work with them today, actually.

2014

Major Expansion

Moved to Bay Street and doubled our team. This was when we took on our first multi-million dollar M&A deal. Nerve-wracking? Absolutely. But we nailed it, and that case opened doors we didn't even know existed.

2017

Litigation Powerhouse

Won a landmark commercial litigation case that got covered in all the major business publications. That's when companies started seeking us out specifically for complex disputes. Our litigation success rate hit 87% that year.

2020

Pandemic Pivot

While everyone was figuring out Zoom, we helped over 40 businesses navigate COVID-related legal challenges. Employment law became huge overnight, and we were there helping clients make tough decisions while staying compliant.

2025

Today & Tomorrow

Now we're a full-service corporate law firm with 25+ lawyers and we've handled over 500 major cases. But honestly? We still approach each client like they're our first. That startup mentality never really left us.

Meet Our Partners

The folks who lead the charge

Specializes in M&A and corporate restructuring. She's closed deals worth over $2B and has this uncanny ability to spot issues before they become problems.

Sarah Chen

Managing Partner

Been with us since day one. Sarah's got this thing where she can explain the most complex corporate structures in a way that actually makes sense. Clients love her for that.

Heads up our litigation practice. Marcus doesn't lose often, and when he's in the courtroom, opposing counsel know they're in for a long day.

Marcus Okonkwo

Litigation Partner

Former Crown prosecutor who joined us in 2015. Marcus brings that trial experience that you just can't teach. He's argued cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Runs our IP and employment law departments. Jennifer's saved countless companies from patent disputes and helped navigate some really tricky wrongful dismissal cases.

Jennifer St. Laurent

Senior Partner

Joined us in 2016 after making a name for herself at a big downtown firm. She wanted somewhere more nimble, where she could actually know her clients personally.

What We Stand For

These aren't just words on a wall – they're how we actually operate

Straight Talk

We won't BS you with legal jargon when plain English works just fine. If something's gonna be expensive or risky, we'll tell you upfront. No surprises, no runaround.

Move Fast

Business doesn't wait around, and neither do we. When you need something done, we're on it. Most client emails get answered within a couple hours, not days.

Real Relationships

You're not a file number here. We actually get to know our clients, understand their businesses, and honestly care about whether they succeed. Sounds cheesy but it's true.

Results Matter

Look, being nice is great, but you hire us to win. Whether it's closing a deal or winning in court, we're focused on getting you the outcome you need.

Think Different

Cookie-cutter solutions don't cut it. Every business is unique, so we actually take time to understand your situation and craft strategies that fit you specifically.

Always Learning

Laws change, business evolves, and we make sure we're staying current. Our team's constantly taking courses, attending conferences, and keeping up with what's new.

Why Clients Stick With Us

Here's the thing – we've got one of the highest client retention rates in Toronto's corporate law scene. Not saying that to brag, but it tells you something. Once companies start working with us, they tend to stay.

Maybe it's because we answer our phones. Maybe it's because we genuinely care whether your business succeeds. Or maybe it's just that we're really good at what we do. Probably a mix of all three, honestly.

We've worked with everyone from two-person startups to publicly traded corporations with thousands of employees. The size doesn't matter – what matters is whether you need legal counsel that actually understands business, not just law.

Let's Talk About Your Needs

Our Story