Cynthia L. Elderkin

Cynthia (Cyndy) Elderkin is the managing partner of Gowling WLG's Ottawa office and a member of the Business Law Group. She has a transactions-based practice that includes personal property security matters, secured financings, outsourcings, acquisitions (buy/sell sides), fibre optic and collocation transactions, aircraft and transportation transactions, equipment leases, maintenance and operation agreements, dealer and distribution agreements, joint ventures, teaming arrangements, P3 and procurement/project agreements, and manufacturing and supply agreements. She specializes in commercial and consumer contracts.

Cyndy is highly regarded by clients and colleagues for her in-depth knowledge and experience in commercial and transactional matters, and her ability to successfully achieve clients' objectives, often within tight time demands. Excellence in service delivery is a key commitment Cyndy makes to her clients and colleagues – her efforts are recognized by rankings in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Best Lawyers in Canada.

Cyndy has presented numerous papers and lectures in her specific areas of expertise to business organizations, associations and educational institutions, including the Law Society of Ontario, Osgoode Hall Continuing Legal Education, the County of Carleton Law Association, the University of Ottawa, the Canadian Bar Association, the Credit Bureau, the Licensing Executives Society, the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, and the Conference on Shopping Centres, as well as Gowling WLG webinars.

Cyndy has also co-authored a legal text on contracts entitled Behind and Beyond Boilerplate: Drafting Commercial Agreements, first published by Carswell (a Thomson Reuters company) in 1998 and now in its fourth edition.

Cyndy has been active in her community and with volunteer organizations, including 5 years as a director of the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (with 2 years as President) and 5 years as a director and the Registrar of the Goulbourn Skating Club. She is also a former chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Canadian Bar Association of Ontario. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the "Top 40 Under 40" Award in 2000 and won a community volunteer award in 2004.

Cyndy plays an active part within Gowling WLG to create a "great place to work" culture, and has received awards for mentoring excellence. She has also served on several firm committees and special projects, and was the Ottawa office's Business Law Group department head for 4 years.