Jeffrey S. Leon L.S.M., FCIArb, is an active and respected Arbitrator and Mediator of international and domestic disputes at Arbitration Place in Toronto. His energetic and pragmatic approach enables him to work with parties to fashion an effective process to achieve timely and efficient resolutions in ADR. He has over 45 years of experience as a trial lawyer and strategic advisor in connection with all manner of business disputes.
Jeff was formerly a Senior Partner at Bennett Jones LLP in Toronto. He is regarded as one of Canada’s pre-eminent counsel, helping clients develop practical approaches to complex, ‘bet-the-company’ business litigation and class actions. He has advocated for companies, directors, officers, and individuals involved in domestic and cross-border securities, commercial, corporate, product liability, professional negligence and health care proceedings. Jeff has advised independent committees in a variety of corporate transactions and has acted as counsel in domestic and international arbitrations. He has had extensive experience in a wide variety of administrative law matters. Jeff has been able to use his deep experience to deliver the result sought by clients, whether through negotiated settlement or vigorous advocacy at trial.
Jeff has focused for a number of years on serving as an Arbitrator and Mediator of international and domestic disputes. He brings to these roles his many years of understanding and experience with all nature of business matters and disputes, his common sense and practical perspective and recognized judgment, and an ability to focus on the real issues at the heart of a matter. He is familiar with the leading arbitral rules and regimes, as well as ad hoc proceedings. His energetic and pragmatic approach enables him to work with parties to fashion an effective process to achieve timely and efficient resolutions, whether through arbitration or mediation.
He is well versed on the conduct of hearings. For many years he served as a Co-Chair of the University of Toronto (Discipline) Tribunal and as independent counsel providing advice to the Discipline Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He served as legal counsel to the Chiropractic Review Committee of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario, and in 2008 he received their Presidential Award of Excellence for his work.
Jeff received his BA (Hons) from the University of Alberta in 1973 (Gold Medalist), his MA from the University of Toronto in 1974 and his LLB from the University of Toronto in 1977. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1979. He is a former clerk to the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Over his 45 year career, he has been committed to continuing legal education and high professional standards in the litigation bar, evidenced by his role as an author, lecturer, panelist and teacher of trial skills and his leadership roles and involvement in the legal and general community:
Jeff has been cited as a leading Canadian and international litigator and senior statesperson in the areas of commercial litigation, dispute resolution, class actions, securities litigation, commercial insurance, commercial arbitration, directors' and officers' liability, health sciences, technology and health, product liability, professional liability and regulatory and public law by the independent legal market rankings of Chambers Global, L’expert, American Lawyer Media, Best Lawyers (including their list of “Bet the Company” litigators and as 2024 Toronto Lawyer of the year in Legal Malpractice Law), Expert Guides (including their Best of the Best guide), Who’s Who Legal (including as a Thought Leader) and Benchmark Canada, among others. Jeff has been described as “world class…[he] impresses clients with his steadfast commitment and pragmatic approach. He is a strategic thinker and understands [parties’] goals.” It is this strategic and pragmatic approach that he brings to arbitrations and mediations.
Recent awards include:
In 2022-23 Jeff served as Co-Lead Counsel to the Public Order Emergency Commission.
His publications on Arbitration include: