Christopher F. Reil

PARTNER

Christopher F. Reil

Tel: 613-237-0520 ext. 231

Fax: 613-237-3163

creil@williamsmcenery.com

Called to the Bar: Ontario, 1981

We employ every legal means to help our clients resolve their problems—taking the necessary action without losing sight of the costs of litigation.

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Employment Litigation
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Municipal Liability
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Professional Negligence Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation
Back to top

Practice Summary

A partner with more than 20 years of litigation and mediation experience, Christopher Reil joined Williams McEnery in 2003. Devoting his practice to civil litigation, he has represented diverse institutional and individual clients—both as plaintiffs and defendants—always balancing risk management with a focus on results.

Other counsel often refer clients to Chris due to his expertise and his unique experience having worked as in-house legal counsel with a major insurance company. He is respected for his ability to isolate the key facts in a case and apply relevant law to resolve disputes. He also possesses the crucial ability to synthesize large amounts of information—helping him communicate effectively with clients, opposing counsel and the Court. A team-oriented critical thinker, Chris prepares intensively for every case—and inspires others with his energetic approach to tackling complex problems.

Back to top

Credentials

  • LL.B., University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario (1979)
  • Honours B.A. (Philosophy & Psychology), Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario (1976)
Back to top

Selected Professional Activities

  • Speaker, "Examining the Expert Witness on Discovery," Carleton County Law Association, May 1998
  • Speaker, "Occupier's Liability," Risk Insurance Managers Conference, 2000
  • Speaker, "Punitive Damages an Overview," Canadian Risk Insurance Managers Conference, Ottawa, September 2001
  • Speaker, "Evidentiary Matters Relating to Fire Investigation," Canadian Association of Fire Investigators, June 2001
  • Speaker, "Nuts and Bolts on Pleadings and Preliminary Matters," Carleton County Law Association, 2001
Back to top

Selected Cases

SunAlliance Insurance Company v. Commercial Union Assurance Company [1991] O.J. No. 425 (H.C.J.).
In this dispute between two insurers arguing over which was responsible for providing primary coverage for damages arising from a serious motor vehicle accident, Chris Muirhead acted as co-counsel for the defendant insurer—and helped lead the case to successful dismissal.
Saikaley v. Commonwealth Insurance Company, (1989) (Ont. H. C. J.) unreported
Chris Muirhead served as co-counsel defending the insurer in this arson claim, satisfying the court that the fire in question was incendiary and had been arranged by the insured. The court found the insured's failure to deliver a proof of loss was fatal to his claim, rendering him unentitled to relief. The action was dismissed.
Hewitt v. Hillary Cleaners et al, (1998) (Ont. H. C. J.), unreported
Chris Reil successfully represented the plaintiffs in this action against a cleaning company after a break-enter-and-theft was facilitated by a former employee of the defendant. The Court held the defendant was negligent in hiring an employee with an extensive criminal record without performing a proper background check, and for failing to warn the plaintiffs after discovering her criminal background.
Toronto-Dominium Bank v. Pella/Hunt Corp. 10 O.R. (3d) 634 (Ont. Ct. Gen. Div.)
This case involved a novel issue involving the law of restitution. Chris Reil successfully represented the bank, which the court held was entitled to recover monies it had paid out to a customer’s creditor under a mistake of fact.
Metcalfe Realty v. 990982 Ontario Inc. [1998] O.J. No. 3637 (C.A.)
Chris Reil represented the landlord and obtained a summary judgment against the defaulting tenant for both arrears of rent and the present value of the future rent to the end of the term. The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Metcalfe Realty Co. v. 990982 Ontario Inc. (c.o.b. Laurier Optical), [1997] O.J. No. 4771
Back to top