Devan Sommerville promoted to Senior Vice President, Rob Elliott and Johanna Chevalier to Vice President
Counsel is proud to announce the promotion of three leaders in our Ontario practice: Devan Sommerville to Senior Vice President and Johanna Chevalier and Rob Elliott to Vice President.
Devan Sommerville
Devan is a powerful advocate for clients in Ontario across many sectors, including residential and commercial development, housing, infrastructure and construction, social services, health care, and the environment.
Devan works closely with Counsel’s Indigenous Facilitation practice to support private and public sector clients in navigating culturally sensitive and respectful engagement with First Nations and Indigenous peoples in Ontario.
“Devan’s promotion reflects his exceptional insight and unwavering commitment to client success in Ontario. We’re proud to recognize his leadership, long-standing commitment to Counsel, and the impact he continues to make,” said Sheamus Murphy, Managing Partner.
Prior to joining Counsel, Devan served as the Senior Policy Advisor to two of Ontario’s Ministers for Municipal Affairs and Housing. He also served as a policy advisor to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Labour.
Johanna Chevalier
Johanna is an expert in municipal and provincial affairs in Ontario, bringing decades of experience managing high-profile initiatives in both the public and private sectors. A former two-term Councillor for the Town of Caledon and Region of Peel, Johanna has worked closely with residents, government representatives, non-profits, and a wide range of stakeholders to support the highest-growth municipality in Ontario.
“Johanna has demonstrated outstanding leadership, with a proven ability to navigate municipal and provincial government landscapes in the province,” said Tim Hudak, Partner.
Johanna was recognized as the leading political ally for Anti-Human Trafficking on the Peel Region and Caledon Councils. She has also served on numerous committees and boards, including chairing the Region of Peel’s DEAR (Diversity, Equity and Anti Racism) Committee and the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance; serving as Vice Chair of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority; and sitting on committees addressing wide-ranging issues, from system integration to police internet safety.
Rob Elliott
With over 15 years of experience working in government and public affairs, including the Prime Minister’s Office, on Parliament Hill, at Queen’s Park and as a Government Relations Consultant, Rob’s expertise cuts across multiple sectors, including transportation, health, finance and technology.
“Rob’s strategic insight across multiple levels of government has played a key role in strengthening our Ontario practice. As Counsel continues to grow, Rob and Johanna’s promotions reflect the experienced team driving our success,” added Hudak.
He has advised senior cabinet ministers and government officials, industry associations, charities and both small and large businesses.
As Associate Director of Policy for Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Rob was responsible for many complex files including road safety, regional transportation planning and transit expansion. Rob is recognized for his experience and knowledge on political matters from having served as a Vice President of the Ontario PC Party for 13 years, including as the Party’s Policy Chair, and was the Ontario PC candidate during the 2023 by-election and the 2025 election in Kitchener.