Benchmark Litigation Names 3 Davies Partners in 2026 40 & Under List

List recognizes top young talent

Three Davies partners are included in this year’s Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under list: Rui Gao, Faiz Lalani and Chenyang Li. This recognition is reserved for the best and brightest young litigators and highlights their exceptional advocacy skills and accomplishments in major high-stakes and precedent-setting cases.

Benchmark’s rankings are informed by peer review-based research and an analysis of the market’s most important cases and developments. Earning accolades this year are:

Rui Gao. A partner in the firm’s Toronto office, Rui advises clients on high-profile commercial disputes, including complex contractual disputes and securities litigation matters. Promoted to the partnership in January 2025, Rui’s rapid rise reflects the exceptional quality of her advocacy and the trust clients place in her counsel on their most critical matters.

Faiz Lalani. A trial and appellate litigator based in the firm’s Montréal office, Faiz maintains a dynamic practice spanning complex commercial disputes, class actions, administrative law and constitutional litigation. He is currently representing the World Sikh Organization of Canada and Amrit Kaur in a landmark constitutional challenge to Québec’s Bill 21 before the Supreme Court of Canada – a precedent-setting case that has drawn national attention for its implications for religious freedom and minority rights. Also named a Litigation Star by Benchmark, this marks the second consecutive year that Faiz has been included on the 40 & Under list. 

Chenyang Li. Chenyang is a partner in the firm’s Toronto office, with a practice focused on complex commercial litigation, class actions and product liability matters. Known for providing practical, client-oriented counsel with a high degree of business acumen, Chenyang is also a Litigation Star in Benchmark’s annual guide. This marks the second consecutive year that Chenyang has been included on the 40 & Under list.