Our Story
Building trust through results, not just promises
Look, we're not gonna pretend we're different from every other law firm out there with some fancy mission statement. What sets us apart? We actually answer our phones, we don't bury you in legal jargon when plain English works better, and we've been doing this long enough to know that your business problems don't wait for office hours.
Started in a cramped office downtown with just three of us and way too much ambition. Our first client was a tech startup that couldn't afford the big firms - we took equity instead of our full fee. That company's now worth $50M, and yeah, we still represent them.
Landed our first major IP case - defending a local inventor against a US corporate giant trying to claim patent infringement. Spent 18 months in litigation, but we won. That case put us on the map and taught us that David can still beat Goliath if you've got the right strategy.
Moved to Bay Street and doubled our team. Added immigration and international trade law because our clients kept asking for help navigating cross-border deals. We figured if they trusted us with their core business, might as well help them grow globally.
Yeah, that year. While everyone was figuring out Zoom, we were helping clients navigate unprecedented employment issues, contract disputes from COVID shutdowns, and suddenly urgent IP concerns as everyone went digital overnight. Our phones didn't stop ringing.
We're now a team of 23 lawyers and support staff working out of a suite that doesn't feel cramped anymore. We've handled over 800 cases, secured hundreds of trademarks and patents, and helped close deals worth over $2B combined. But honestly? We're most proud that 70% of our business comes from referrals.
The people who'll actually be handling your case
Founding Partner
Senior Partner, IP Law
Partner, Corporate Litigation
Partner, M&A Advisory
Associate, Employment Law
Associate, Immigration Law
When we started Celesthorwyn Forge Legal back in 2008, the legal landscape was pretty different. Big firms dominated everything, and small to mid-sized businesses often got squeezed out or treated like they didn't matter.
We built this firm on a simple idea - provide the same caliber of legal work the big guys get, but with the personal attention and reasonable billing that makes sense for growing businesses. No thousand-dollar charges for a five-minute phone call, no junior associates learning on your dime.
Seventeen years later, we're still here because we stuck to that philosophy. Our clients know they can text me at 9pm if something urgent comes up. They know we'll shoot straight about their chances in court. And they know we genuinely care whether their business succeeds.
- Sarah Mitchell, Founding Partner
We're not gonna bore you with corporate speak about "client-centric solutions" and "innovative paradigms." Here's how we actually work:
We'll tell you if your case is weak or if there's a cheaper way to solve your problem. Honesty builds longer relationships than padding hours.
Your lawyer's cell number. Their actual cell number. Because legal emergencies don't happen during office hours.
Sometimes the best legal advice is knowing when NOT to sue. We think about your business goals first, then figure out the legal path.
Sarah founded Celesthorwyn Forge after spending eight years at a Bay Street firm where she watched too many small business clients get treated like an afterthought. She passed the bar in 2003 and spent those early years cutting her teeth on complex corporate litigation.
What drives her? She grew up watching her parents struggle with a contract dispute that nearly bankrupted their small manufacturing business - their lawyer didn't return calls for weeks at a time. That experience shaped everything about how she runs this firm.
Outside the office, you'll find her coaching her daughter's soccer team or attempting to garden (with mixed results, she admits). She's also weirdly into true crime podcasts and makes a mean lasagna.
Education: JD, Osgoode Hall Law School | BA, University of Toronto
David joined the firm in 2009 after working in-house for a tech company that got bought out. He brought with him a practical understanding of how IP actually works in the real world, not just in textbooks. He's handled over 200 trademark registrations and defended dozens of patent cases.
Before law school, David actually worked as a software engineer, which gives him a huge advantage when dealing with tech IP cases. He speaks the language and doesn't need three hours of explanation to understand what your product actually does.
He's got two kids who keep him humble by constantly reminding him that "lawyer stuff is boring, Dad." Fair point. In his spare time, he's into cycling and apparently runs marathons, though nobody's actually seen him do this.
Education: JD, University of Ottawa | BEng Computer Science, McGill University
Rachel's the one you want in your corner when things get messy. She joined us in 2013 and made partner in 2018 after winning three major commercial disputes back-to-back. She's got this calm demeanor that puts clients at ease, but opposing counsel know she's absolutely ruthless in court.
She grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario and worked her way through law school bartending. Those years taught her how to read people and stay cool under pressure - skills that translate surprisingly well to litigation.
Rachel's known around the office for her collection of vintage courtroom sketches (weird hobby, but interesting) and her ability to quote every episode of The West Wing. She also volunteers with a legal aid clinic on weekends.
Education: JD, Western Law | BA Political Science, Queen's University
Marcus came to us from New York in 2015 after getting tired of the Wall Street grind. He'd worked on some massive M&A deals down there but wanted to work with companies where he actually knew the owners' names. He's helped close over $2B in deals for our clients since joining.
What makes Marcus different is his background in finance - he worked as an investment analyst before law school, so he understands the numbers side of deals just as well as the legal side. Clients love that he can translate between what the accountants are saying and what it actually means.
He's into craft beer (maybe too into it), plays bass in a weekend band that's not half bad, and somehow finds time to mentor at a youth entrepreneurship program. His teenage son thinks he's embarrassing, which is probably accurate.
Education: JD, Columbia Law School | BBA Finance, University of Texas
Jennifer joined us right out of law school in 2020 - yeah, that timing - and immediately got thrown into the deep end with all the COVID-related employment issues. She handled it like she'd been practicing for years. She's now our go-to for employment law and workplace compliance matters.
Before law, she worked in HR for a manufacturing company, which gives her insights most employment lawyers don't have. She understands what it's actually like trying to implement these policies on the ground, not just writing them.
She's passionate about workplace equity and does pro bono work for employees dealing with discrimination. Outside work, she's training for her first triathlon and is apparently really into baking bread. The office benefits from this hobby regularly.
Education: JD, University of Toronto | BA Psychology, York University
Thomas came on board in 2019 to help us build out our immigration practice. He'd spent five years at an immigration-focused firm and saw an opportunity to help businesses navigate the increasingly complex world of work permits and international hiring. He's personally helped over 150 professionals and their families relocate to Canada.
He's actually an immigrant himself - moved from Ireland when he was twelve - so he gets the personal side of immigration cases in a way that goes beyond the paperwork. His clients appreciate that he treats them like people, not just file numbers.
Thomas is into hiking, photography, and will talk your ear off about Irish football if you let him. He volunteers with a newcomer settlement organization helping recent immigrants navigate their first year in Canada.
Education: JD, Dalhousie Law School | BA International Relations, UBC