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

Philip Dewan
President

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.

Phil's clients have included major international and Canadian-based corporations, universities, unions, hospitals and non-profit associations. He has guided organizations through the development of strategic plans and advocacy programs, advised on crisis management, and helped them mobilize grassroots campaigns.

A masterful "bridge builder" between government and the private sector, Phil helps clients in virtually every sector of the economy, with particular focus on construction and infrastructure, land development, environment, health care and energy.

Phil's success in navigating the intricacies of the public affairs world is based on his competitive knowledge and varied experience across the political, bureaucratic and stakeholder realms.

As Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition, Dalton McGuinty, from 1999 through the successful Liberal election in October 2003, Phil played a leading role in crafting the Liberal platform, team and strategy

In addition to his high-profile role with the current Premier, Phil has contributed to major policy change in the province from inside and outside government. He served as the highly successful CEO of a major industry association for almost a decade; Director of Policy for the Premier of Ontario in the 1980's; as a senior manager in the Ontario Public Service and a policy advisor in the federal government; and as an analyst for a non-profit consumer interest organization.

Phil holds a Master's degree in Political Science, specializing in Public Policy, from the University of Hawaii, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo.

Among his volunteer activities, Phil is a Board member of the Credit Valley Family Health Team in Mississauga and a past Vice-President of the Consumers' Council of Canada.

He spends his free time with his wife, Diane, and their two daughters, feeding their love of travel, history and mountains.