Robert Santia B.A., J.D., LL.M

Bio

Robert Santia brings a characteristically unique enthusiasm to everything he does and nowhere is this more evident than in the practice of law. One need only spend five minutes speaking with Robert about tax and estate planning to understand that Robert deeply enjoys his work.  

Robert practices as an associate lawyer in Robins Appleby’s Tax group. Robert works primarily with individuals, private businesses and their advisors to help achieve personal, business and financial objectives, including minimizing tax liabilities by developing and implementing practical and creative strategies that are tailored to meet the needs of the client.

Robert has extensive experience designing and executing a wide array of tax-driven corporate reorganizations, as well as advising on the use of domestic and offshore trusts for tax and estate planning purposes. Robert has developed a particular expertise in assisting high net-worth families in structuring their holdings to minimize tax that arises in connection with generational succession and death. In connection with his interest in these subjects, Robert has written a number of articles for Canadian and international tax publications and has spoken on these topics for various professional and educational associations.

Outside of the office, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, cooking and learning foreign languages. In addition to his native English, Robert speaks fluent French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as conversational Mandarin Chinese. 

Selected Publications

• “Interpreting ‘Tends to Indicate Misuse or Abuse’ or: How I Stopped Worrying About Economic Substance and Learned to Embrace Principles of Statutory Interpretation”
Tax for the Owner-Manager, Vol. 24, No. 2 (Canadian Tax Foundation), April, 2024.