experienced. efficient. effeCtive
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Heather was called to the Ontario Bar in 2016. She practices civil litigation with a focus in insurance defence. She is experienced in defending insurers with respect to occupier’s liability, long term disability, extended health, life and travel claims. She has also litigated disputes regarding breach of contracts in real estate, construction, employment matters, creditor litigation matters, as well as personal injury and estates claims.
Heather has litigated matters in the Ontario Small Claims Court, Superior Court and Court of Appeal. She is passionate about litigation, and provides her clients with a personalized service whilst working to resolve each file efficiently and effectively. Heather enjoys advocating for her clients and prides herself on forging strong working relationships with her clients and peers alike.
Heather stepped into the role of co-president alongside Crystal Burns in 2023. In doing so, Heather built on a long history with Bennett Gastle that commenced in 2006, when she started working as a summer research intern. Heather worked as a legal assistant from 2008 to 2012 while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. She received her Bachelor of Arts with Honours, having undertaken a double major in Sociology and English Literature. Heather then attended law school at Bond university in Australia where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree, graduating in February 2015 with Honours in the top 15% of her class with an A-average. She returned to Bennett Gastle to complete her articles and commence full time practice. Thanks to her experience, Heather has a nuanced understanding of the firm’s practice and clients that she relies upon daily, both in practice and firm management.
Regarding recent reported decisions, Heather worked on Kumarasamy v Western Life Assurance Company, 2021 ONCA 849 (CanLii); leave to appeal denied 2022 CanLii 42887.
Outside of work, Heather spends as much time with her family as she can. She is passionate about health and wellness, travel, and her family’s two rescue pets. She encourages anyone who is on the market for a pet to consider adoption first.
HEATHER GASTLE - Lawyer
Phone: (416) 361-3319 ext. 257
Steve Simpson is a lawyer at Bennett Gastle with fifteen years of experience. He practices:
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Defense Litigation
- Real Estate Disputes
- Employment Law
- Advisor Negligence Claims
- Fraud Claims
He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2009. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2010.
Steve has served as lead counsel at all levels of court in Ontario. He maintains an active litigation practice. This includes motions, trials, and appeals. His experience includes contract disputes, insurance coverage matters, employment issues, real estate litigation, and professional negligence claims. He previously led the Canadian litigation team for a major insurance and asset management company. There, he managed and defended class actions. He also handled complex commercial disputes and life and health claims.
When he is not practicing law, Steve gives back to his community. He mentors aspiring law students and junior lawyers. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and serves on his law school’s alumni association board. He sits on his children’s school parent council. In his free time, Steve enjoys reading science fiction and cycling across the city.
Stephen simpson - Lawyer
Phone: (416) 361-3319 ext. 221
Chuck Gastle - Advisor
Chuck is now enjoying retirment from being a litigator and enjoys his role as an advisor to Bennett Gastle. Chuck had a broad practice encompassing civil litigation, product liability, commercial litigation, international trade litigation, and international arbitration.
With over thirty-seven years of commercial litigation experience, Chuck has been involved in a variety of cases, including issues related to creditor-debtor remedies, enforcement of security, fraudulent conveyances, bankruptcy fraud, leasing, shareholder remedies, breach of contract, disability and life claims, elevator liability claims, property claims, coverage issues, and professional negligence. He has represented trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, and court-appointed inspectors.
Chuck was called to the Bar in 1987. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Queen’s University in 1979 and his Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Toronto in 1985. While practising on a full-time basis, he received his Masters of Law Degree in 1994 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in International Trade and Competition Law in 1998 from Osgoode Hall Law School. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School since 2002, up until 2014.
In March 2004, the Government of France awarded Chuck the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Palmes académiques. Osgoode Hall Law School recognized Chuck’s teaching with an adjunct faculty teaching award in 2006. He also received the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council’s Procurement Business Advocate of the Year Award in 2006. The Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Association Gold Key Award was given to Chuck for his service to the legal profession and society at the 2009 annual Dean’s Reception.
Elizabeth now enjoys her role as an advisor to Bennett Gastle and is focused on her mediation practice with Bennett Mediations.
Elizabeth graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School with a Bachelor of Laws in 1992. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994 and was awarded her Master of Laws degree in 1998 with a focus on civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Elizabeth’s experience has included a wide variety of commercial and civil litigation cases including: insurance defence related to disability, critical illness, life, creditor, property claims and coverage issues; creditor debtor matters; class actions; motor vehicle accidents; personal injury and professional negligence; breach of contract disputes; breach of fiduciary obligations; shareholders disputes; commercial real estate disputes; product liability issues; fraudulent conveyances; bankruptcy issues including investigations and tracing of assets; real estate and mortgage claims; collection matters; estate litigation matters, and employment related issues including human rights complaints.
Elizabeth is a senior litigator, mediator, and arbitrator with almost 30 years of experience in litigation and 20 years in dispute resolution. She was involved with matters at tribunals and all levels of the courts. She is a highly successful litigator and negotiator, with a reputation for getting even the most contentious of cases settled. Elizabeth worked tirelessly to help conflicting parties resolve their disputes with an emphasis on fairness, approachability, and cost-efficiency. She served as Vice Chair of the Ontario License Appeal Tribunal for 8 years and successfully settled many disputes during settlement hearings.
In 2015 Elizabeth founded Bennett Mediations where her clients benefit from her impartial commitment to resolve cases. Elizabeth leverages her extensive experience in negotiation and dispute resolution with confidence and skill to help parties successfully resolve their cases.
Elizabeth was inducted into the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (CADN), a professional association whose association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil and commercial conflict resolution. Members are amongst the most in-demand neutrals in their province, as nominated by their peers and approved by local litigators
Apart from her work experience, in 2009, Elizabeth co-founded a charitable organization, CLEW (Cambodian Legal Education for Women). CLEW is a registered Canadian charity committed to providing financial support to young women from rural Cambodia to help them escape the harsh realities of poverty. CLEW provides scholarships, housing and support so that students can obtain a law degree from the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia. With their degree CLEW graduates are empowered to obtain work and to help their families and communities.
