Risk Management and Crisis Response

Businesses are increasingly challenged to promptly and effectively identify, assess and manage rapidly changing risks, including exposure to litigation, regulation and enforcement. The ability to respond strategically and in a timely way to existing and emerging situations that threaten the business and reputation of an organization, as well as that of its executives, directors and advisors, is a paramount concern for corporations and their boards today.

Risk is multi-faceted. It is not confined within self-contained silos in any organization: an issue that arises in relation to one business unit, discipline, product line or department can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the organization. Neglected and mismanaged risk can have a costly financial, operational and reputational impact upon the whole organization, its leaders and its stakeholders.

Strategic prevention and response

Our fully integrated team is uniquely positioned to provide customized, comprehensive service offerings in both proactive risk management and strategic crisis response. We work with boards, in-house counsel and senior executives at leading companies on developing risk management strategies; reviewing, drafting and advising on policies, codes of conduct and internal procedures; and conducting regulatory compliance reviews and risk assessments on governance, accountability structures and protocols.

When that risk becomes a tangible threat, we can develop and implement a considered plan to find a timely, effective and practical resolution. We advise on business-critical situations like government or internal investigations, whistleblower allegations, shareholder activism, data and security breaches, environmental disputes, unexpected leadership issues, hostile takeover bids and litigation arising from other extraordinary circumstances.

A cross-disciplinary approach to managing risk

Members of Osler’s cross-disciplinary Risk Management and Crisis Response practice understand the multi-dimensional and potentially destructive character of unattended risk.

We draw on our national specialists across a broad range of expertise, including capital markets regulation, investment funds, competition, corporate governance, securities and consumer class actions and other litigation, privacy and data security, environmental and government investigations and white-collar defence.

Led by Larry Ritchie, former vice-chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, our team leverages expert knowledge, practical experience and strong working relationships with regulators and officials in Canada and internationally to anticipate, manage and navigate the evolving risk factors that threaten your business.