Natalia Rodriguez

Bio

Natalia practices civil litigation and dispute resolution, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, public law litigation and appellate advocacy. Natalia isn’t just an advocate, she’s a trusted advisor that provides clear, direct and practical solutions to any matter that comes her way. She is a fearless advocate who is used to untangling even the most complex and nuanced challenges.

Natalia is a bencher of the Law Society of Ontario and an adjudicator of the Law Society Tribunal of Ontario. She is the articling principal at Conway and a student mentor.

In November 2023, Natalia was appointed Commission Counsel to the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, established to examine any interference by China, Russia and any other foreign actors, assess any repercussions on the integrity of the 43rd and 44th general elections and make recommendations for better protecting federal democratic processes from foreign interference.

In May 2022, Natalia was appointed Senior Commission Counsel to the Public Order Emergency Commission. From 2012-2014, Natalia served as Commission Counsel for the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry investigating the collapse of the Algo Centre Mall and the subsequent emergency response.

Natalia is experienced in conducting trials, appeals, motions, applications, judicial reviews, mediations and arbitrations. She has advocated on behalf of clients at all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Federal Court of Appeal, as well as in commercial arbitration proceedings. She has significant experience as commission counsel in commissions of inquiry, both provincial and federal. She has an enhanced Government of Canada security clearance (Top Secret).

Prior to entering private practice, Natalia clerked for three justices of the Court of Appeal for Ontario and for Justice Louis LeBel at the Supreme Court of Canada. Clerking provided Natalia with a unique vantage point into how judgments are made and how to draft and argue persuasively. In her practice, Natalia draws on a wide range of life experiences, including growing up in both Spain and Canada and being a high school and elementary school teacher prior to law.

Natalia is fluent in Spanish and provides legal services to Spanish-speaking clients. She is an active member of the legal profession, often writing and speaking on issues relating to diversity in the judiciary and in the profession.

Law and justice have always been an innate part of life for Natalia. The middle of three girls, Natalia was often the one delegated to making arguments or pitching a point to her parents. A self-described nerd, law just made sense for her. These days, Natalia’s continuing practice skills program consists of negotiating settlements with her 9-year-old and making submissions to her 4-year-old as to why he should eat his carrots.