Gillian Hnatiw & Co. Welcomes Anna Matas to the Firm

March 1, 2021

Gillian Hnatiw & Co. is excited to welcome Anna Matas to its growing team.

Anna is an experienced litigator who has practiced extensively in the areas of personal injury and professional liability since her call to the Bar in 2008. Her practice focuses on the representation of survivors of sexual violence and other misconduct, in both civil and administrative proceedings. Anna defends regulated health care providers against allegations of medical negligence, professional misconduct and other complaints, and provides advice on a wide range of privacy issues, including in the College Discipline context. She also represents individuals before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, and other administrative tribunals. Anna has been recognized by Best Lawyers Canada for her work in health care law.

As a former law clerk to judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Special Court for Sierra Leone (war crimes tribunals in Africa), Anna gained extensive experience providing decision-makers with fair and neutral advice on a wide range of procedural and substantive legal issues, including those that arise unexpectedly mid-hearing. In Ontario, Anna has used this experience when acting as Independent Legal Counsel in Discipline proceedings for regulated health professionals, and as amicus curiae in a historical sexual assault case before the Superior Court of Justice.

Anna pairs creativity and realism in her approach to resolving legal issues. She empowers clients by making the law accessible, to ensure they understand their options for pursuing justice. Clients trust Anna to provide insightful, practical advice that will advance their goals and lead to a successful resolution of their case.

Anna is committed to giving back in her profession and community. She has been a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic since 2016, and in 2020 was elected to the position of Secretary. In her role on the Board, Anna assists in providing strategic direction and governance to the Clinic, which provides legal, counselling, and interpretation services to female-identified survivors of violence.