Iris Fischer

Iris is a litigation Partner and Toronto Litigation co-Practice Group Leader, with experience ranging from complex commercial disputes to white collar crime, constitutional and regulatory matters. Iris regularly acts for media organizations on free expression matters, including opposing publication bans and getting access to court documents. She has extensive experience defending and prosecuting defamation claims, including at trial, and regularly deals with online defamation matters. Iris also advises clients on freedom of information and privacy matters, as well as criminal or quasi-criminal matters such as responding to search warrants and production orders and Canadian anti-corruption laws. Recently, she successfully represented the Toronto Star in the recent Supreme Court case Sherman Estate v. Donovan, affirming the open court principle in the context of privacy interests. Iris also has extensive experience conducting and advising on internal investigations on matters that include conflicts of interest, fraud, competition and corruption. Iris also co-leads Blakes’ practice on Public Sector Crisis & Compliance, where she advises clients engaging with the legislative or executive branch of government, or public officials, on an array of matters.