Philip Horgan
Called to the bar in 1988, and with 35 years of legal practice to his credit, Philip Horgan has built a solid reputation of professional integrity both locally and nationally. He holds a B.A. in economics and international relations from the University of Toronto, and graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Law in 1986.
In 2019, Phil was elected as a bencher (board of governors) of the Law Society of Ontario. He has served on nine separate committees and advisory and working groups, including Audit and Finance, Vice Chair of Professional Development and Competence, Strategic Priorities, and Tribunal Committees. He serves as an adjudicator of the Law Society Tribunal. Despite these added duties, he continues to manage his law practice on a full-time basis.
Phil’s extensive practice includes contractual and commercial disputes in construction law, employment law, estates, real estate, family, and other areas. Phil has appeared at all levels of trial courts and administrative tribunals, including provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. Phil’s practice includes pursuing constitutional matters in the areas of education, religious and conscientious freedom, for non-profit or charitable actors, including recent leading Supreme Court cases, such as Loyola, Saguenay, Carter, and Trinity Western, amongst others. He has been engaged in over 20 Supreme Court cases, and an even higher number of provincial appellate files across Canada.
He appeared as counsel in St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox v. Aga et al, a 9-0 victory at the Supreme Court of Canada, reversing a prior 3-0 Ontario Court of Appeal decision, where he acted on behalf of the local Archbishop and the Cathedral community of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Toronto.
The core of Phil’s practice remains individuals and entrepreneurs seeking high level representation to secure the best result.
In 2019, Phil was elected as a bencher (board of governors) of the Law Society of Ontario. He has served on nine separate committees and advisory and working groups, including Audit and Finance, Vice Chair of Professional Development and Competence, Strategic Priorities, and Tribunal Committees. He serves as an adjudicator of the Law Society Tribunal. Despite these added duties, he continues to manage his law practice on a full-time basis.
Phil’s extensive practice includes contractual and commercial disputes in construction law, employment law, estates, real estate, family, and other areas. Phil has appeared at all levels of trial courts and administrative tribunals, including provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. Phil’s practice includes pursuing constitutional matters in the areas of education, religious and conscientious freedom, for non-profit or charitable actors, including recent leading Supreme Court cases, such as Loyola, Saguenay, Carter, and Trinity Western, amongst others. He has been engaged in over 20 Supreme Court cases, and an even higher number of provincial appellate files across Canada.
He appeared as counsel in St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox v. Aga et al, a 9-0 victory at the Supreme Court of Canada, reversing a prior 3-0 Ontario Court of Appeal decision, where he acted on behalf of the local Archbishop and the Cathedral community of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Toronto.
The core of Phil’s practice remains individuals and entrepreneurs seeking high level representation to secure the best result.
Community Involvement
He is a past president and current executive member of the Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto. He served as Chair of the Parent Advisory Council of St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto between 2004 and 2009. Phil received the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Alumni Award in 2006.
In December 2012, Phil was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Il Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canada in advocating for freedom of conscience and religion, services to the legal profession, and development of public policy.
In addition, he is a member of the Senate of the University of St. Michael’s College (U of T) and served on its Alumni Golf Tournament organizing committee for 12 years.
Phil has been an active participant in minor hockey as a coach, referee, and executive member, with the North York Knights and Forest Hill Force hockey organizations. He has been named Coach of the Year on two occasions.
Phil is married to Christine, and they have five adult children.
Professional Associations
Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) - President since 2004, previously serving as Vice-President from 1994 (www.ccrl.ca) – currently on leave
Faith and Freedom Alliance (FFA) - Founding board member and current Chair
Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto - past President. Long-standing member of the association (www.thomasmoreguild.ca )
Lexview - Member of Advisory Board since 2010 (www.cardus.ca/lexview/)
He is a past president and current executive member of the Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto. He served as Chair of the Parent Advisory Council of St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto between 2004 and 2009. Phil received the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Alumni Award in 2006.
In December 2012, Phil was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Il Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canada in advocating for freedom of conscience and religion, services to the legal profession, and development of public policy.
In addition, he is a member of the Senate of the University of St. Michael’s College (U of T) and served on its Alumni Golf Tournament organizing committee for 12 years.
Phil has been an active participant in minor hockey as a coach, referee, and executive member, with the North York Knights and Forest Hill Force hockey organizations. He has been named Coach of the Year on two occasions.
Phil is married to Christine, and they have five adult children.
Professional Associations
Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) - President since 2004, previously serving as Vice-President from 1994 (www.ccrl.ca) – currently on leave
Faith and Freedom Alliance (FFA) - Founding board member and current Chair
Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto - past President. Long-standing member of the association (www.thomasmoreguild.ca )
Lexview - Member of Advisory Board since 2010 (www.cardus.ca/lexview/)
Mary Zettel
Mary Zettel was called to the bar in 2013. She works in a variety of legal areas, including contract disputes, real estate, family matters, and a growing practice in wills and estates law.
Together with Philip Horgan, Mary Zettel has been noted for her involvement in recent victories for clients at the Ontario Divisional Court in a residential construction case, and has worked on several constitutional matters that have been pleaded at provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Together with Philip Horgan, Mary Zettel has been noted for her involvement in recent victories for clients at the Ontario Divisional Court in a residential construction case, and has worked on several constitutional matters that have been pleaded at provincial appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Professional Experience
Prior to obtaining a law degree at the University of Windsor in 2012, Mary enjoyed a successful career honing superior research skills and IT expertise along the way. After graduating on the dean’s list from University of Toronto with an Hon. BSc in biochemistry, microbiology and zoology, Mary worked in the mining industry before devoting her talents to raising a family of five. Over this time, she also assisted in a family business and developed a thorough understanding of the unique challenges and needs of entrepreneurial enterprises.
Community Involvement
Mary has for the past 25 years been the General Manager of the North York Knights, a well-respected minor hockey organization in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, and was pleased to be honoured by Hockey Canada for her volunteer efforts.
Prior to obtaining a law degree at the University of Windsor in 2012, Mary enjoyed a successful career honing superior research skills and IT expertise along the way. After graduating on the dean’s list from University of Toronto with an Hon. BSc in biochemistry, microbiology and zoology, Mary worked in the mining industry before devoting her talents to raising a family of five. Over this time, she also assisted in a family business and developed a thorough understanding of the unique challenges and needs of entrepreneurial enterprises.
Community Involvement
Mary has for the past 25 years been the General Manager of the North York Knights, a well-respected minor hockey organization in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, and was pleased to be honoured by Hockey Canada for her volunteer efforts.
Raphael Fernandes
Rafe primarily represents clients in civil litigation, including commercial, employment, estates, real estate, and constitutional disputes. With Phil Horgan, Rafe acted for the successful appellants in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, 2021 SCC 22, becoming one of the youngest lawyers ever to make oral arguments at the Supreme Court. Other notable engagements include an anti-SLAPP motion, Charter challenges, urgent injunctions, an election recount case, and an application for forfeiture in which Rafe prevailed after a two-day hearing. Rafe also provides planning and advisory services relating to estates, trusts, not-for-profits and charities.
Education and Experience
Rafe was called to the Bar in 2019, after articling for Philip Horgan. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Waterloo (St. Jerome’s), and a J.D. from Queen’s University Faculty of Law. As president of the Queen’s chapter of the Runnymede Society, a national law student group, he organized debates and discussions on constitutional issues. During law school, Rafe gained legal experience working with the Queen’s Business Law Clinic and a Kingston sole practitioner.
Community Involvement
Rafe is active in community and legal organizations, and sings mediaeval and Renaissance music with two amateur choirs.
Education and Experience
Rafe was called to the Bar in 2019, after articling for Philip Horgan. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Waterloo (St. Jerome’s), and a J.D. from Queen’s University Faculty of Law. As president of the Queen’s chapter of the Runnymede Society, a national law student group, he organized debates and discussions on constitutional issues. During law school, Rafe gained legal experience working with the Queen’s Business Law Clinic and a Kingston sole practitioner.
Community Involvement
Rafe is active in community and legal organizations, and sings mediaeval and Renaissance music with two amateur choirs.
