Founded in February 2015, Renno Vathilakis Inc. has rapidly established itself as one of Montreal’s leading corporate and commercial litigation boutiques. The firm specializes in corporate litigation, shareholder disputes, class actions, franchise and distribution litigation, commercial arbitration, bankruptcy and insolvency, competition law, family law, constitutional law, privacy law, defamation, employment law, construction law, and securities litigation. With a reputation for top-tier legal representation, the firm is committed to delivering creative solutions to complex legal challenges.
The Founding Partners
Renno Vathilakis Inc. was founded by two accomplished litigators, Karim Renno and Michael Vathilakis, both of whom have extensive experience resolving high-stakes corporate and commercial disputes.
Karim Renno
Before co-founding the firm, Karim Renno was a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and later at Irving Mitchell Kalichman LLP. With over 15 years of litigation experience, he has been recognized as a Litigation Star in Benchmark Litigation since 2013 and has been listed among Canada’s top 50 trial lawyers. Chambers Global named him an Up-and-Coming Litigator in 2014 and 2015, while Best Lawyers Canada has recognized him as a leading corporate and commercial litigator in Quebec since 2015.
Karim has argued multiple cases before the Supreme Court of Canada and has represented major corporations across various industries, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, construction, tobacco, real estate, and transportation. He has significant expertise in private international law and injunctions.
A well-respected legal commentator, Karim is the founder and editor-in-chief of the À bon droit blog, which was named the best practitioner legal blog in Canada in 2012. He frequently contributes to legal publications such as CanLII Connects and Droit Inc. Additionally, he has published numerous articles on corporate law, commercial law, evidence, and civil procedure.
Michael Vathilakis
Michael Vathilakis also boasts an impressive legal career. After working at two national law firms, he became General Counsel and Vice-President of Legal Affairs at Future Electronics Inc., one of the world's largest electronic components distributors. In this role, he oversaw major commercial court trials, arbitrations, and business transactions.
Returning to private practice to establish Renno Vathilakis Inc., Michael specializes in dispute prevention, commercial litigation, and family law. Recognized by Best Lawyers Canada for Family Law, he has served as lead counsel in cases involving technology, electronic component distribution, and real estate. A member of both the Law Society of Ontario and the Quebec Bar, Michael has handled international arbitrations in Canada and abroad.
Michael also frequently lectures on international commercial arbitration and class actions at Harvard Law School, Stanford, McGill Law School, and the University of Montreal. Since 2016, he has been recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation.
The Firm’s Growth
Renno Vathilakis Inc. is backed by a highly skilled and growing team. Currently, the firm consists of nine lawyers, articling students, and several summer students, with further expansion planned. Committed to providing top-tier dispute resolution services, the firm continues to seek innovative and strategic solutions for its clients.
