About Mercedes
Mercedes Perez: Leading Legal Counsel in Mental Health and Administrative Law
Mercedes Perez is a highly experienced and respected lawyer and founding partner of PBP Lawyers. She provides expert legal representation across a diverse range of complex legal matters, with a particular focus on mental health, capacity, and administrative law. With extensive litigation experience at all levels of court – including Ontario, Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada – Ms. Perez is a trusted legal strategist and advocate for her clients. Her career has been marked by a commitment to achieving just outcomes and upholding the rights of individuals facing challenging legal circumstances.
Ms. Perez’s practice encompasses a broad spectrum of legal services, including, but not limited to, mental health and capacity law, elder law, Charter litigation, civil actions, coroners’ inquests, guardianship proceedings, disability and accommodation disputes, and critical victim representation in sensitive criminal sexual assault matters. She possesses a profound understanding of the legal complexities inherent in these areas and consistently delivers exceptional results.
Notably, Ms. Perez has played a pivotal role in shaping legal precedent. She successfully challenged the Mental Health Act through *P.S. v. Ontario*, a landmark constitutional case that resulted in significant amendments to the legislation and the structure and jurisdiction of the Consent and Capacity Board. Furthermore, she achieved success in *Regional Municipality of Waterloo v. Persons Unknown and to be Ascertained* and *Corporation of the City of Kingston v. Doe*, limiting municipal powers related to the enforcement of encampment bylaws. These cases demonstrate her formidable courtroom skills and strategic legal acumen.
Recognized for her deep expertise in forensic psychiatry and capacity matters, Ms. Perez has been repeatedly appointed as an *amicus curiae* (friend of the court) by the Ontario Court of Appeal. These appointments underscore her unparalleled knowledge and contribute to the advancement of legal understanding in these critical fields. She also co-instructs the Law and Psychiatry course at Osgoode Hall Law School, reflecting her dedication to educating future legal professionals and fostering innovation in the legal profession.
As an active member of the Mental Health Legal Committee, Ms. Perez actively participates in the preparation of submissions on proposed provincial and federal legislative reform bills, ensuring her voice is heard in the ongoing evolution of mental health law. Her frequent speaking engagements at law conferences and continuing legal education programs further solidify her position as a leading authority in capacity, constitutional, and administrative law matters.
Practice Areas
- Administrative and Public Law
- Health Care Law
- Mental Health and Capacity Law
- Elder Law
- Charter Litigation
- Civil Actions
- Coroners' Inquests
- Guardianship Proceedings
- Disability and Accommodation Disputes
- Victim Representation in Criminal Sexual Assault Matters
Education & Credentials
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA (Recognized Since: 2025)
- Extensive Litigation Experience – Representing Clients at All Levels of Court (Ontario, Federal Court, Supreme Court of Canada)
- Co-Instructor, Law and Psychiatry Course, Osgoode Hall Law School
- Member, Mental Health Legal Committee – Preparing Submissions for Legislative Reform
- Frequent Speaker – Capacity, Constitutional, and Administrative Law
Awards & Affiliations
Recognized: Administrative and Public Law
Recognized: Health Care Law
City: Toronto
State: Ontario
Country: Canada
