Frank Cesario

Frank Cesario headshot

Partner, Toronto

frank-cesario@hicksmorley.com
Direct: 416.864.7355
Main: 416.362.1011
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Year of Call: Ontario, 2001
  • Biography

Frank is a senior litigator in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He is a strategic counsel for his clients, and has significant courtroom and hearing experience representing clients in complex and high-profile cases.

Frank represents his clients as a close and long-term advisor, and as a highly skilled advocate on their most important and challenging cases. Frank has particular expertise in arguing judicial review and appeals, and in litigation relating to the following: employment disputes (including senior employee litigation, for-cause terminations and federal unjust dismissal complaints); disputes relating to executive and incentive compensation; pension and benefits litigation; disability claims; restrictive covenant litigation; class actions; and labour injunctions.

Frank has represented clients in trials, appeals, arbitrations and tribunal/board hearings. He has appeared as counsel in all levels of court in Ontario (Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court and Court of Appeal), in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Frank was elected to The Advocates’ Society Board of Directors and is proud to continue the commitment to advocacy which The Advocates’ Society has promoted since its inception.

Frank has significant experience working with financial sector, university, school board, hospital and municipal clients.

Prior to commencing practice, Frank clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

When not in court, Frank can usually be found spending time with his amazing wife and two energetic sons—watching movies, exploring the outdoors and cheering on the Raptors, the Steelers and all Italian soccer teams.

Awards & Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (2019–2024)
Labour and Employment Law, Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2021–2024)
Employment Law (Consistently Recommended)

Legal 500 Canada 2018
Labour and Employment Law

Memberships & Affiliations

The Advocates’ Society – Director

Canadian Association of University Solicitors – Member

Divisional Court Users’ Committee – Member

Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers – Member

Canadian Bar Association – Member

Ontario Bar Association – Member (Administrative, Civil Litigation, Class Actions, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Education, Labour and Employment, and Pensions and Benefits Law)

Select Publications & Presentations

“Mandatory Vaccine Policies and Litigation: Lessons Learned, Where Are We Now, and Where We Go From Here” Canadian Association of University Solicitors 2022 Conference (June 11, 2022)

Education

Harvard Law School, J.D. (magna cum laude)

University of Toronto, B.A