Who We Really Are

Illuminating Complex Legal Pathways Across Borders

Look, we're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers from day one. What we do have is over fifteen years of getting our hands dirty in the trenches of international trade disputes, cross-border deals that kept us up at night, and regulatory tangles that would make your head spin. We've learned that the best legal counsel doesn't come from a textbook - it comes from experience, real conversations, and actually giving a damn about what happens to your business.

Margaret Chen

Founding Partner, International Trade & Customs

Margaret started Pyrelanthos back in 2010 after spending nearly a decade watching big firms treat international clients like file numbers instead of people. She'd had enough of that nonsense. With her background in trade law and a few battle scars from working on NAFTA-related disputes, she figured there had to be a better way.

Born in Vancouver to immigrant parents who ran a small import business, Margaret saw firsthand how confusing and intimidating customs regulations could be. That's what drove her to law school at U of T, where she graduated near the top of her class - though she'll tell you it's because she actually read the boring stuff nobody else wanted to touch.

These days, she's handled everything from anti-dumping investigations to helping tech companies navigate export controls. She's argued before trade tribunals, negotiated with customs officials in three countries, and yeah, she's lost a few cases too. That's how you learn what works.

When she's not buried in tariff schedules, Margaret's probably hiking somewhere in the Rockies or trying to convince her teenage kids that international trade law is actually cool. (They're not buying it.)

James Okafor

Senior Partner, Cross-Border Litigation

James joined the firm in 2012, bringing with him a reputation for being absolutely relentless in the courtroom. He doesn't do the smooth-talking lawyer routine - he's more about preparation, strategy, and knowing the case better than anyone else in the room. Works pretty well, honestly.

Originally from Nigeria, James moved to Canada for law school at McGill and never looked back. Well, he goes back to visit family, but you know what I mean. He cut his teeth at a litigation boutique in Montreal before realizing that cross-border commercial disputes were his real calling.

He's represented everyone from manufacturing companies dealing with contract breaches across borders to tech startups fighting IP theft. His secret? He actually listens to what clients need instead of just throwing legal jargon at them until they give up and sign whatever.

Outside the office, James is way too into soccer (sorry, football) and coaches a youth league on weekends. He's also got a side hobby of collecting terrible lawyer jokes, which he inflicts on the rest of us during firm meetings.

Yuki Tanaka

Partner, Corporate M&A & Immigration

Yuki came aboard in 2015 after Margaret basically begged her to leave Bay Street. Turns out working on billion-dollar deals for banks wasn't as fulfilling as helping mid-size companies actually grow and expand internationally. Who knew?

She's got this unique background that combines corporate law with immigration expertise, which makes her invaluable when companies are trying to acquire foreign businesses or bring in international talent. Yuki's walked dozens of companies through the maze of work permits, investor visas, and the regulatory headaches that come with cross-border employment.

She studied at Osgoode Hall and did a stint in Tokyo working for a major firm there, which gave her insights into how different legal systems actually work in practice. These days she's handling M&A deals ranging from a few million to over $100M, plus she's become our go-to person for anything involving bringing people across borders.

Yuki's also a huge foodie (she makes the best sushi you've ever had for firm parties) and somehow finds time to volunteer with newcomer settlement programs in Toronto. She says it keeps her grounded and reminds her why the work matters.

What Actually Matters to Us

These aren't just words we stuck on our website because they sounded good. This is the stuff that guides how we work every single day.

Straight Talk

We're not gonna sugarcoat things or hide behind legal mumbo-jumbo. If your case has problems, we'll tell you. If there's a better way to do something, you'll hear about it. Honesty isn't just a value - it's the only way this works.

Real Relationships

You're not a file number here. We actually get to know our clients, understand what keeps them up at night, and stay in touch even after the case is done. Some of our best referrals come from people we worked with years ago.

Creative Problem-Solving

International law is messy and complicated. Cookie-cutter solutions don't work. We dig into each situation, find angles other firms miss, and come up with strategies that actually fit your specific needs. That's where the magic happens.

Global Perspective

We've worked with clients and counterparts from dozens of countries. That experience taught us that understanding different legal systems and business cultures isn't optional - it's essential. We bring that worldview to every case.

Ethical Standards

Look, this one should go without saying, but we've seen enough firms cut corners to know it needs to be said. We follow the rules, we're transparent about costs, and we don't play games. Your trust matters more than any single case.

Results-Focused

At the end of the day, you hired us to solve a problem or help you achieve something. We keep that goal front and center, even when the legal process gets complicated. We measure success by your outcomes, not our billable hours.

The Rest of Our Crew

Behind every case is a team of smart, dedicated people who make it all happen. From our associates and paralegals to our admin staff, these folks are the real backbone of Pyrelanthos.

Sarah Blackwood

Senior Associate, Trade Law

David Nguyen

Associate, Litigation

Priya Sharma

Senior Paralegal

Marcus Johnson

Associate, M&A

Elena Rodriguez

Associate, Immigration Law

Robert Kim

Legal Research Specialist

Recognition & Milestones

We're proud of these achievements, but honestly, the real wins are the problems we've solved for clients along the way.

Top International Trade Firm - Ontario

2024 - Canadian Lawyer Magazine

Recognized for outstanding work in customs disputes and trade agreement navigation. They called us "the firm that actually understands how international commerce works."

Benchmark Litigation Star

2023 - Benchmark Canada

James Okafor was named a Litigation Star for his work on complex cross-border commercial disputes. He still hasn't framed the certificate (typical James).

Rising Star in M&A

2022 - Lexpert

Yuki Tanaka was recognized for her innovative approach to structuring cross-border acquisitions and her expertise in navigating investment regulations.

Best Boutique Law Firm

2021 - Toronto Business Awards

Honored for our client-focused approach and specialized expertise in international business law. We beat out some much bigger firms, which felt pretty great.

Excellence in Trade Law

2020 - International Bar Association

Margaret Chen was recognized internationally for her contributions to trade law practice and her work on several high-profile anti-dumping cases.

Client Choice Award

2019 - Chambers & Partners

This one means the most because it came directly from client feedback. They appreciated our responsiveness, practical advice, and "actually returning phone calls promptly."

Our Journey