Three partners.
One commitment.

Sarah Chen

Formerly McCarthy Tétrault

Sarah founded Meridian's corporate practice in 2018 after 18 years at McCarthy Tétrault, where she advised on M&A transactions, corporate finance arrangements, and shareholder matters for clients across Canada and the United States.

At Meridian, Sarah handles the full range of corporate work for growth-stage businesses — from founder agreements at inception to mid-market acquisitions and dispositions. She is the lead partner on all M&A and transaction work at the firm.

Her approach is direct and practical: she tells clients what the law says, what it means for their business, and what she recommends — without the hedging that large-firm billing structures tend to produce.

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Shareholder Agreements
• Corporate Finance
• Commercial Contracts

David Okonkwo

Formerly Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt

David leads Meridian's employment practice. He came to the firm from Osler, where he built a practice advising employers and executives on complex employment matters, human rights proceedings, and termination disputes.

Meridian's employment practice works exclusively with employers and executives — not on both sides of the same type of dispute. David advises on employment agreements, executive departures, wrongful dismissal defences, and HR policy across Ontario businesses of all sizes.

He is known for clear, risk-calibrated advice — telling clients not just what the law permits but what the realistic exposure is and how to manage it.

• Wrongful Dismissal
• Executive Agreements
• Human Rights
• Workplace Policy

Rachel Fournier

Formerly Fasken Martineau

Rachel leads Meridian's commercial real estate practice. She joined the firm at founding from Fasken, where she focused on commercial property development, leasing, and financing transactions across Ontario.

At Meridian, Rachel handles purchase and sale, lease negotiation, development matters, and commercial financing. She has a particular depth in mixed-use development and complex lease negotiations for commercial landlords and tenants.

She offers flat fees on standard transactions — commercial purchase and sale, lease review, and routine financing documentation — so clients know the cost before the file opens.

• Commercial Purchase & Sale
• Lease Negotiation
• Development
• Commercial Financing