Corporate and Commercial Litigation
JP 
John Pirie
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Biography
John Pirie leads the Firm's Litigation and Government Enforcement Group in Canada. He acts for clients in complex business disputes and white collar matters.
John is widely recognized as a leading trial, arbitration and appellate lawyer. He is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation, and ranked by Chambers as a leading individual in both the Corporate Litigation and White Collar categories. Clients interviewed by Chambers have said: "John Pirie has a sterling reputation in the legal community and is regarded as a powerful litigator" and "He is a recognized expert when it comes to handling cases involving allegations of corporate fraud or corruption."
John has a long record of success acting for a range of clients. He has acted for corporations, banks, officers and directors, a securities regulator, a stock exchange, investors, public officials, members of the judiciary and a variety of professionals.
Practice FocusJohn is recognized as one of the top litigators in Canada. John has acted on an array of high profile commercial disputes including a case in the Supreme Court of Canada ranked by Lexpert Magazine as Canada's #1 annual business decision. John has also appeared as counsel in a number of the country's leading corporate and civil fraud cases. John has been recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and in L'Expert's Annual Guide to the Leading Canada/US Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers. He has previously been named one of Lexpert's Rising Stars, a "Top 40" award that recognizes Canadian lawyers with an outstanding record of success. In 2020, John was inducted as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
John has been a moot court judge in Osgoode Hall Law School's Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, and he has been an instructor carrying out the National Institute of Trial Advocacy's training programs. John has also appeared repeatedly as a lecturer in Osgoode's Graduate Civil Litigation Program.
Overview
- English
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LLB, graduated 1995
- University of Western Ontario, BA Political Science, Honours, graduated 1992
- Ontario, 1998
- English
- Ontario, 1998
- Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, LLB, graduated 1995
- University of Western Ontario, BA Political Science, Honours, graduated 1992
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2026 for work in:
- Corporate and Commercial Litigation
News & Media
Insights
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Representative Legal Matters
- Counsel for a multinational entity named in the Sino-Forest securities fraud class action, and in related regulatory, and global arbitration proceedings.
- Counsel for the Ontario Securities Commission pursuing significant asset recoveries in Canada and abroad.
- Counsel for HSBC Bank Canada on numerous matters, often fraud related. Obtained a significant judgment and tracing orders at trial against borrowers for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Counsel for an automotive company defending allegations of breach of restrictive covenants in a purchase agreement at trial. Obtained trial judgment dismissing action with costs.
- Counsel for an institutional shareholder and investors in stock manipulation proceedings against an agency of the Swedish Government.
- Counsel for a major US-based railway in an arbitration with a competitor concerning operational rights and revenues from tracks between the US border and parts of Canada.
- Counsel for a global oil company in an arbitration against an engineering firm concerning failed oil wells.
- Counsel for the TMX Group / Shorcan in complex proceedings involving investor allegations.
- Counsel for VitaQuest International and Nu-Life Corporation: defended, on appeal, a substantial claim that had been made by a business partner alleging fraud and breach of contract.
- Counsel for the Waldock Group in a landmark Ponzi scheme investor case, and in related regulatory proceedings.
- Counsel for Desjardins Bank in the recent Ontario credit card fee class action.
- Counsel for the Tucker Group in the Seaquest Capital case, which involved a range of investment fraud allegations.
- Counsel for Laurentian Bank on numerous matters; defended certification of a class action concerning mortgage pre-payment charges.
- Counsel for Jien Canada Mining in a significant, ongoing securities class action.
- Counsel in an arbitration concerning re-insurance services and an alleged breach of contract and fiduciary duty.
- Counsel in an arbitration concerning multiple trusts established by a partnership and alleged diversion of funds.
- Counsel for a European airline in a dispute with an Ontario airline concerning the recovery and sale of multiple aircraft.
- Counsel for General Dynamics Corporation defending a large, multi-party toxic tort action.
- Counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada for ADR Chambers Inc. The landmark case addressed whether an arbitration clause in a consumer contract can preclude a class action.
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