Shantona represents both individual and institutional clients in civil and commercial litigation and has particular expertise in appeals. Her experience includes commercial disputes, class actions, torts, judicial review, professional discipline, professional negligence, administrative, constitutional, public international law, and national security law. Shantona has been counsel in over 35 appeals at the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Divisional Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She also represents clients before the Superior Court of Justice and administrative tribunals. The Chambers Guide to Canada’s Leading Lawyers has described Shantona as follows: “One of the best young civil appellate advocates in Canada.” (2021 edition) “One source described Shantona as ‘one of the best young lawyers with whom I have ever had contact,’ while others report that she is ‘a brilliant legal analyst.’” (2020 edition) “Shantona Chaudhury has a rising profile in the legal community. She is increasingly active on litigation files in a range of areas, including commercial, administrative and constitutional disputes. Her performance earns her respect, as sources note that ‘the judges rave about her.’” (2019 edition) “Rising star Shantona Chaudhury is making a name for herself in the Ontario litigation market. Peers describe her as an ‘outstanding’ litigator and a ‘force to be reckoned with’”. (2018 edition) “One peer noted: ‘She is fantastic. She is one of the smartest lawyers out there right now. Her written work is outstanding.’ Clients describe her as a ‘brilliant advocate.’” (2017 edition)  Shantona is the co-Executive Director of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute, a national non-profit organization offering advocacy training to counsel appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada. She is a former law clerk to Justice Ian Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada. Shantona is fluently bilingual (English/French) and was called to the Bar in both Ontario and Québec in 2007. She obtained her B.C.L. from Oxford; her B.C.L./LL.B. from McGill; and her M.A. & B.A. from Queen’s University. Prior to starting practice, she clerked for Justice Ian Binnie, trained as a Middle Temple Fox Scholar pupil barrister in London, interned at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, interned at the Parliament of Canada, and worked in the music industry.

Bar Admissions

• Law Society of Upper Canada (2007)
• Barreau du Québec (2007)

Education

• B.C.L., University of Oxford, 2009
• B.C.L./LL.B., McGill University, 2005
• M.A. French Literature, Queen’s University, 2001
• B.A. (Hons.) French Studies, Queen’s University, 2000

Professional Associations

• The Advocates’ Society
• Canadian Bar Association
• Toronto Lawyers’ Association
• Association de juristes d’expression française
• Litigation Counsel of America (fellow)