Steve J.
Tenai

Partner
Call to Bar:

Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 1992

TENAI_Steve-045-web

Steve is a skilled advocate with more than 30 years of experience. He has represented individual and corporate clients before all levels of trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and before various regulatory bodies, including the Ontario Securities Commission. His reputation as a leading Canadian litigator has led to numerous accolades by several international and national guides to the legal profession.

Steve is Co-Leader of the firm’s Class Actions, Communications & Media and Litigation & Dispute Resolution Groups. His practice focuses on class action, securities, M&A, corporate, commercial, oppression and privacy-related litigation. He has defended over a dozen securities and consumer-related class actions.

Steve's experience also includes representing clients within the context of investigations by securities and law enforcement agencies. He has further undertaken internal investigations on behalf of clients. 

Steve began his legal career as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Memberships

  • Member, Trial Law Institute
  • Member, Diversity Law Institute
  • Member-at-Large, Civil Litigation Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member-at-Large, Professional Development Committee, Ontario Bar Association
  • Class Action Bench Bar Committee (Former Member)
  • Ontario Bar Association, Class Actions Section (Former Executive Committee Member 2018-2021) and Privacy and Access to Information Law Section (Former Executive Committee Member 2018-2019)
  • The Advocates’ Society (Former Member, Board of Directors)

 

Steve has spoken at a number of conferences on such topics as shareholder rights plans, co-ordinating defences and investigations in cross-border securities litigation, trends in class action litigation, the oppression remedy, derivative actions, civil litigation practice and cybersecurity.

Author, "Five Rulings Shaping Ontario Class Actions in Q1 2026," Aird & Berlis LLP, Class Actions Quarterly, April 29, 2026.

Co-Author, "Class Actions: Top Ontario and Federal Cases in Q3 2025," Aird & Berlis LLP, Class Actions Quarterly, October 23, 2025.

Co-Author, "Jurisdictional Decisions Shape Class Actions in Q4 2024," Aird & Berlis LLP, Class Actions Quarterly, January 30, 2025.

Co-Author, "Top Class Action Decisions of Q3 2024," Aird & Berlis LLP, Class Actions Quarterly, October 18, 2024.

Co-Author, "Key Takeaways From 2022 Appellate Decisions," Aird & Berlis LLP, March 9, 2023.

Co-Author, "Class Actions: Key Developments in 2022," Aird & Berlis LLP, February 8, 2023.

Co-Author, "Quebec Court Dismisses Proposed Class Action Against Cannabis Company," Aird & Berlis LLP, February 1, 2023. 

"The End of Waiver of Tort," Aird & Berlis Litigation Bulletin, July 29, 2020.

“Three Legislative Changes Impacting Class Actions,” Aird & Berlis Litigation Bulletin, July 17, 2020.

 “Uber v. Heller: Supreme Court Throws Out Dutch Arbitration Clause As Unconscionable,” Aird & Berlis Litigation Bulletin, July 09, 2020.

“Court Enforces Exculpatory Clause Dismissing Condominium Class Action,” Aird & Berlis Litigation Bulletin, July 3, 2020.

“Smart Cities: An Opportunity for Engagement on Big Data Governance,” The Spotlight, June 20, 2019.

“Phishing Risk Deemed Sufficient in Alberta to Trigger “Real Risk Of Significant Harm” Threshold,” The Spotlight, March 13, 2018.

“Cybersecurity Disclosure Guidance for Public Companies,” The Spotlight, March 1, 2018.