People

The reputation and expertise of our people are the critical strengths we put to work for you.  At Counsel, there is no “bait and switch”; our Principals are intimately involved in all the aspects of client work.

• John Beaucage
• Charles Beer
• Helen Burstyn
• Don Cousens
• Philip Dewan
• Charles Harnick
• Malcolm Heins
• Bob Lopinski
• Dorenda McNeil
• Carol Mitchell
• Caroline Pinto
• Mary Ellen Richardson
• Stephanie Gawur
• Patrick Harris
• Craig Ruttan
• Marcus Staviss

Bob Lopinski
Principal

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.

A seasoned lobbyist and government relations consultant, Bob is a trusted advisor to clients in all sectors. In addition to a long list of corporate clients, Bob’s client roster has also included associations representing Ontario’s hospitals, universities, power producers, pharmacists, research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers, forestry companies and the gaming industry.

Bob’s value to clients goes far beyond the strength of his relationships at Queen’s Park. His diverse skills include strategic communications planning, stakeholder and media relations, policy development, crisis management and legislative research.

Bob Lopinski joined Counsel Public Affairs as a Principal in December 2008 after successfully leading one of Canada’s largest public affairs groups for an international communications consultancy for almost four years.

Bob served as the Director of Issues Management and Legislative Affairs for the Premier of Ontario. He advised Premier McGuinty on the selection of his first Cabinet, directed all ministries in the management of contentious issues and prepared the Premier for Question Period. He also coordinated the creation and implementation of the government’s legislative agenda and led specific policy files for the Premier.

Bob has played key campaign roles in both of Premier McGuinty’s re-election efforts having led the Premier’s debate preparations during the 1997 campaign and serving as the war room director leading to the 2011 victory.

Bob graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1989 with a BA in Political Science.