Brittany Shales
Tel: 416.814.7362bshales@babinbessnerspry.comvCard
Experience
Brittany joined Babin Bessner Spry LLP as an associate in 2023. She brings to the practice a range of professional experience in the areas of criminal law and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Brittany practiced at a prestigious criminal defence boutique, where she acted for clients facing all types of Criminal Code offences with a focus on white collar crime. Brittany previously gained experience at a leading international law firm, where she acted for clients in a wide range of litigation matters involving commercial and shareholder disputes, white collar and arbitration matters.
Brittany has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO). She has worked on matters at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as for advisors and dealers in regulatory enforcement proceedings, including before the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO, formerly the MFDA and IIROC), the Capital Markets Tribunal (CMT), and the FSRAO.
Brittany obtained her J.D. from the University of Calgary. During law school, Brittany was an Editor for the Alberta Law Review, Founder and President of the International Law Society, Co-Lead of the Pro Bono Students Canada Human Rights Project, and Caseworker in the Student Legal Assistance Trial Division. While in law school, Brittany worked for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Thailand, and studied in England, Israel and Italy.
Prior to law school, Brittany obtained her B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. degrees from Queen’s University, where she was a member of the Varsity Women’s Soccer team.
Brittany is active in the community. She serves as a Board Member on the Heart & Stroke Ontario Young Leaders Committee, where she is passionate about driving change and advocating for increased public access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Brittany previously served as a Committee Member on the Criminal Lawyers’ Association Recent Call Committee.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys travelling to experience different cultures and connecting with people. Outside of law, you can find her playing soccer or squash, cooking with loved ones, or spending time on the water.
Publications
- "Demonstrating Allyship to Your LGBTQI+ Clients", Babin Bessner Spry Blog, July 4, 2023
- "Supreme Court of Canada finds Uber Arbitration Clause is Unconscionable”, Arbitrate.com (with Christina Doria), (April 2021)
- “Canada”, Chapter 5, The Insolvency Review (October 2019), London, UK, The Law Reviews journal, 7th edition (with Michael Nowina and Alissa Scarcello)
- “Canada”, Chapter 3, The Restructuring Review (October 2019), London, UK, The Law Reviews journal, 12th edition (with Michael Nowina and Alissa Scarcello)
Affiliations and Education
Professional Affiliations:
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- The Advocates’ Society
- Women’s White Collar Defense Association
- Women in Capital Markets
Bar Admission:
- Ontario, 2021
Education:
- University of Calgary, J.D. (2020)
- Queen’s University, M.A. (2016)
- Queen’s University, B.A. (Hons.) (2015)
Representative Work
Brittany’s experience includes acting for:
- Advisors and dealers in regulatory enforcement proceedings before CIRO (formerly IIROC and the MFDA) and FSRAO.
- A former employee of a large healthcare organization facing allegations of fraud
- Individuals facing pending investigations and legal risk, providing pre-charge and pre-trial advocacy.
- Individuals charged with Criminal Code offences, with a focus on white collar crime and sexual offences.
