People

The reputation of our people is what drives Counsel’s success. As a team, we offer one-on-one advice and remain directly involved in day to day client work. Counsel does not engage in the classic “bait and switch” practices seen in much larger companies.

Charles Beer
Principal

cbeer@counselpa.com
416-920-0716 x 222

Minister, CEO, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, Executive Director – with over 30 years of leadership experience in government and not-for-profit organizations, Charles brings extraordinary skills and experience in public policy and issues advocacy to your service.

Don Cousens
Principal

dcousens@counselpa.com
416-920-0716 x 236

Donald Cousens is one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most distinguished community leaders. He has served a long and remarkable career in both the public service and business.

 

Philip Dewan
President

pdewan@counselpa.com
416-920-0716 x 235

Philip Dewan is one of the leading public policy practitioners in Ontario. He has played critical roles in the election of two Premiers and helped shape the provincial agenda on issues as diverse as the creation of centres of excellence in technology, the crafting of sustainable landlord–tenant legislation and the designation of the world’s largest urban Greenbelt.

Charles Harnick
Principal

charnick@counselpa.com
416-920 0716 x 221

Charles Harnick, Q.C. is an accomplished mediator and strategist. His broad network of relationships comes from years of experience working in the government and is evidence of his steadfast ability to resolve issues and provide sound, strategic communications counsel to clients.

 

Emma Jowett
Senior Account Executive

ejowett@counselpa.com
416-961-5898 x 217

Emma Jowett is a problem solver and a fervent public relations specialist. She has been intimately involved in a variety of media and stakeholder relations initiatives in the corporate, not-for-profit, healthcare and consumer industries for over five years.

Bob Lopinski
Principal

blopinski@counselpa.com
416-920-0716 x 251

Recognized by the Toronto Star as both “an architect of Premier McGuinty’s rise to power” and “one of the most influential officials in government”, Bob brings with him 15 years of experience at the highest levels of Queen’s Park.

 

Dorenda McNeil
Principal

dmcneil@counselpa.com
416-961-5898 x 216

Dorenda McNeil is a passionate and driven communications expert. With over 15 years of experience in public relations, marketing and strategic planning, Dorenda possesses the quintessential attributes needed to be successful in the business, including her never-ending curiosity for current events, business and culture.

Caroline Pinto
Principal

cpinto@counselpa.com
416-920-0716 x 220

Caroline Pinto knows how to get to the root of a problem. She has a keen ability to prioritize and determine influential people and issues, giving her a competitive edge in policy development, negotiation, and strategic problem solving.

 

Mary Ellen Richardson
Associate


Mary Ellen’s career in the oil, natural gas and electricity industries spans 28 years, and has included roles in marketing and sales to residential, business and industrial customers in Canada and the United States. She has also held executive and operating responsibility for legal and regulatory affairs, facilitation, market planning, stakeholder management, public relations, media relations and government liaison activities.