“Peter commands the room” begins Peter Griffin’s profile on Lenczner Slaght’s website; “Peter commands respect from judges and opposing counsel for his fearless advocacy and extraordinary judgment.”

It is this command that has earned Griffin his reputation as one of Canada’s top litigators and a dedicated champion of Ontario’s law and legal profession.

A command brought by an exemplary career. Griffin has fought for clients in numerous  landmark cases in the areas of corporate and commercial litigation, class actions, securities, insolvency, directors and officers liability, and professional liability. Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melançon LLP v Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP,  Livent Inc. v Deloitte & Touche, Re Sino-Forest Corporation, Re Hollinger Inc., Frohlinger v Nortel Networks Corporation to name just a few.

“Peter’s body of work and his reputation are the result of a natural insight into the human side of the law, which others recognize” says his law partner Ronald Slaght. “I can say that he has always done the right thing, and has set that example in all aspects of his practice and in his relations with other lawyers.”

A command developed from a fair, firm approach to law. Griffin is always collegial in practice, yet he is an imposing force for the other side of the table or courtroom. “Peter and I met when we were on opposite sides of a file in the mid-1980s,” says fellow litigator and OBA Past President Ed Upenieks. “Even as early as that in his career, Peter was civil, efficient and he cut to the chase spearheading a settlement during examinations for discovery.”

On November 22, the OBA will be pleased to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Peter Griffin by awarding him the 2017 Award of Excellence in Civil Litigation. Lawyers from across Ontario will gather at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto to honour him and to eagerly hear his remarks about his extraordinary career in law.

“I first met Peter Griffin many years ago when a mutual client described us as “two bright young litigators” says friend and colleague Benjamin Zarnett. “Over the years Peter has become an exceptional litigator while I have become not-young. Congratulations Peter on this recognition of your stellar achievements at the bar.”

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