Miranda Desa

Miranda is a civil litigator focused on efficiency and results.   She is a creative problem solver and has extensive experience representing clients inside and outside the courtroom to achieve a wide range of goals, often in new and untested areas of law.  She assists clients with disputes about contract law, employment law, animal law, intellectual property, and personal injury.

Litigation and Risk Management Lawyer/ Founder

Pantonium Inc

Miranda is Pantonium's general counsel.  A clean tech company, focused on revitalizing the transportation world through real-time optimization. Pantonium works with municipalities and private companies to create on-demand solutions to maximize the use of their transportation resources. Pantonium’s public transit software allows buses to efficiently respond to real time demand and helps municipalities  provide higher quality rides for the cost of standard public transit.  

Pantonium's project with the City of Belleville was recently awarded the Canadian Urban Transit Association award for innovation.  Pantonium's software allowed Belleville to increase ridership by 300%, service area by 70% and reduced mileage by 30% in only 6 weeks.

General Counsel

McCague Borlack LLP

Co-Chair of Risk Management and Animal Law Practice Groups

Lawyer

AMR LLP

Rachlin & Wolfson LLP

Stieber Berlach LLP

Articling Student

Queen's Legal Aid 

Public Relations and Resource Director 2009-2010
Group Leader and Student Caseworker 2008-2009
Student Caseworker 2007-2008

Caseworker

Lawyer and Strategist - I specialize in litigation and helping companies and not-for-profits manage risk and prevent lawsuits.

I'm a litigation lawyer with over a decade of experience in civil litigation.  My practice is focused on business disputes, employment law, and animal advocacy.

I'm a fierce advocate and creative problem solver with extensive experience representing clients inside and outside the courtroom to achieve a wide range of goals, often in new and untested areas of law.

I have represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario and from issuing claims to trials and appeals.  I'm a passionate advocate focused on delivering quality results and value to my clients.

Imagine this: I'm at my desk when a colleague places a hefty box of documents on the floor beside my desk.  It’s a new file for a pricy breach of contract and while the directive is to wait until conflicts have been cleared before proceeding, there's one thing I never leave unchecked—the limitation period.

Casually, I ask my colleague, “Do you know the limitation period for this one?”  He has no idea. It's a scenario I’ve encountered before, which is why I never let a file sit until I’ve nailed down this critical detail.

Trusting my instincts, I start sifting through the paperwork. And there it is, nestled amid the documents—a tolling agreement on the brink of expiration, with just three days to spare.

Had I merely followed protocol and let it sit on my floor we very well might have missed this crucial deadline, leading to a potential disaster.

This isn’t just about crossing off tasks; it’s a testament to the importance of proactive diligence. As a litigation lawyer, my job is about more than sticking to procedures—it’s about anticipating potential pitfalls and tackling them head-on before they become bigger issues.

The key takeaway I’ve learned over the years? Never underestimate the importance of a limitation period. It's not just a trivial detail—often, it’s what makes or breaks a case.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Think back to a time when your proactive approach made all the difference. Share your stories with me. We can all learn so much from each other's experiences.

#LitigationLessons #ProactiveApproach

Litigation Lawyer

Walking into the courtroom is just the tip of the iceberg for a litigator.

It's about strategy, negotiation, and staying composed in the eye of the storm. It's about thriving where others falter, lifting clients over seemingly insurmountable hurdles.

Beyond knowing the law, we navigate uncharted waters, standing firm for our clients with unyielding dedication. Every case is a new puzzle; every client, a unique story.

Embracing challenges with resilience. Each day is a testament to our commitment and adaptability. We learn, evolve, and strive to make a difference. It's a role that demands both heart and intellect, where every decision shapes outcomes and lives.

That’s the life of a litigator.

As cases get close to trial, I see requests to admit used a lot. But, in the right circumstances, requests to admit can be a powerful tool earlier on in litigation.  
  
I once had a defendant drag my client in as a third party, blaming a prior incident for the plaintiff's damages. I didn't get caught in the trap. Instead, I served a request to admit and got the plaintiff to admit that they weren't seeking damages from the prior incident.  The result? My client was out before discoveries.  
  
This saved my client not only time but a considerable amount of resources. The strategy was straightforward yet effective. It reminded me that sometimes the simplest actions can yield the most impactful results. 
 
This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of proactive and strategic litigation. Don't overlook the tools available at every stage. A well-timed request to admit can be a game-changer.

#LitigationLawyer #FearlessLitigation

In litigation, the right answers come from asking the right questions.

Good questioning clarifies facts, exposes weaknesses, and reveals insights.

Whether working with a client, cross-examining a witness, or negotiating with opposing counsel, well-placed questions lead the conversation in the right direction.  

Assumptions can be costly— asking the right questions ensures that decisions are based on a thorough understanding of the situation.

Effective advocacy isn’t just about delivering arguments—it’s about knowing which questions to ask, when to ask them, and how to use the answers strategically.

#LegalStrategy #CriticalThinking #StrategicAdvocacy

We are #hiring! Know anyone who might be interested?

In litigation, how you handle interactions often matters just as much as what you argue.

There’s a difference between being assertive and being adversarial. When communication breaks down, so does progress. But when lawyers lead with respect—even in disagreement—solutions become possible.

I’ve seen firsthand how a courteous conversation with opposing counsel can move a matter forward more quickly than weeks of tense back-and-forth.

Civility doesn’t soften your advocacy. It sharpens your focus on what actually matters: resolution.

#CivilityInLaw #ProfessionalConduct #StrategicAdvocacy

Does anyone have a recommendation for a Canadian document management software for law firms or one that they would suggest I avoid? I'm looking for a new provider and would prefer to work with a Canadian company, if possible.

I'm most interested in software that can quickly and easily file emails in an accessible way.  I'm not looking for an entire platform/system for all parts of my firm.  I'm happy with the other programs I use.

*** Must work with Mac (without bootcamp)***

Thanks for sharing your experiences (good and bad).

Legal arguments may be built on facts, but they are won through storytelling.

The strongest cases don’t just list evidence—they connect the dots in a way that makes the facts impossible to ignore. A well-structured argument isn’t just about accuracy; it’s about engagement. The clearer the narrative, the more compelling the case.

Judges, clients, and opposing counsel all process information better when it’s framed with purpose. If an argument is scattered, the message gets lost. If it’s structured with intention, it becomes persuasive.

The best litigators don’t just present facts; they shape them into a story that drives their narrative.

#StorytellingInLaw #PersuasiveAdvocacy #LitigationExcellence

Envision a justice system that moves at an unprecedented pace compared to what we experience today. It sounds like a dream scenario, doesn’t it?

This is precisely why the ongoing Civil Rules Review should be on every litigator's radar.

Let's be frank—our courts have been sluggish. We desperately need an upgrade, and this review could be our golden opportunity.

While there’s a lot of chatter about the topic, many overlook the actionable part: the Working Group genuinely wants to hear *our* voices.

Yes, they are actively seeking submissions to refine the proposals.

I'm preparing my own submission and I urge my fellow litigation lawyers to do the same.

Why? Because this is our chance to shape the future of our justice system directly.

There are some brilliant ideas in the report, and some that could use improvement. But the Working Group can't know what will truly aid reform without our input.

Having participated in consultations before, I’ve seen how impactful our collective voices can be. This isn't just an exercise; it's a genuine opportunity to effect change.

So, are you ready to make your mark on the justice system? Let’s get our submissions in and shape a better future.

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