Meet Jacob R. W. Damstra
Commercial Litigation Lawyer"No two cases are the same. By maintaining a general practice, knowing the law across many areas, creative and innovative solutions reveal themselves to lawyers committed to finding them. With creativity and commitment, every legal dispute, no matter how complicated or difficult, can be resolved cooperatively or litigated zealously."
Professional Highlights
- Partner (2022-Present)
- Associate lawyer, Lerners LLP (2016-2021)
- (Professional) – Lecturer, Western Law, Appellate Advocacy – Wilson Moot Team, 2016-2017, 2017-2018
- Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Appeal for Ontario (2015 to 2016)
- Summer Student, Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP (2014)
- Canadian Armed Forces Officer, 1st Hussars, London (2011 to present)
- Director, Board of Directors, Changing Ways
- Director, Board of Directors, Urban Roots London
- Guest, "The Legalities of a Naturalized Lawn", CBC London Morning with Rebecca Zandenberg, June 2022
- Co-author, Limitation Periods in No Fault Insurance Claims, The Middlesex Law Association Snail, February 2020
- "Becoming an Effective Advocate: Reflections from RSJ Thomas", The Middlesex Law Association Snail, and The Advocates' Society Keeping Tabs, June 2018
- Co-author, "Update on Personal Injury Law", The Advocates' Society Fall Convention, 2017
- "Mission Analysis for Legal Research", Ontario Bar Association Program Expert Advice on Launching Your Legal Career: I Have My Law Degree, Now What?, London, ON, 7 September 2017
- “Reinforcing the Primacy of Privilege: Lizotte v. Aviva Insurance Company of Canada and Alberta (Information and Privacy Commissioner) v. University of Calgary”, Paper delivered at the 12th Annual Straight from the Bench Civil Litigation Conference, Middlesex Law Association, London, ON, 8 June 2017
- “Contemplations on Entering the Profession of Law”, 2016 Fall Opening of the Courts Ceremony, London, ON, Speaker on behalf of 2016 Calls to the Bar on the Rule of Law and the Legal Profession
- “Heroic or Hypocritical: Corporate Social Responsibility, Aboriginal Consultation, and Canada’s Extractive Industries Strategy” Journal of Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems 25 1 (2016)
- “20 Years Lost – Time for Change in Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights” Journal of Environmental Law and Practice 27, 1 (2015)
- “Foreign Classes Bringing Canadian Actions: Lessons Learned from the Case against Anvil Mining Limited”, Canadian Class Action Review 9, 2 (2014)
- “Foreigners in Canadian Class Actions: A History of Lessons Learned”, Western University, Graduate History Conference, 18-20 October 2013
- “Mitigating Threats to Water Security in the Great Lakes Basin: The Necessity of Canadian-American Policy Harmonization”, The University of Western Ontario, Centre for Environment and Sustainability, 10th Annual Earth Day Colloquium, 12 April 2013
- Best Lawyers in Canada, Ones to Watch, Corporate and Commercial Litigation/Health Care Law
- Business London Top Twenty in their 20s Award
- Recipient, Canada 150 Medal, Parliament of Canada (2017)
- Trandafir Writing Competition Prize in Transnational Law (2015)
- 1st Place Written Arguments, Oralist Prize, Jessup International Law Moot (2014)
- Harvey T. Strosberg Essay Prize in Canadian Class Actions (2013)
- Royal Canadian Armour Corps Student-Soldier Achievement Bursary (2013)
- Cohen Highley LLP Award, Western Law (2014)
- Winner, Lenczner Slaght Legal Ethics Advocacy Competition (2013)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2012)
- Garrison Community Council Student Bursary, Canadian Armed Forces (2012)
- UWO Gold Medal, Honours Specialization in International Relations (2012)
- The Advocates’ Society
- Middlesex Law Association
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- (Volunteer) – Coach/Trainer, London Bandits Minor Hockey Association, 2014-Present
- Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
- Member at Large, Argyle Community Association
- Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2016)
- Juris Doctor, Western University Faculty of Law (2015) - Graduate with Distinction
- Master of Arts (History), Western University, Department of History (2015)
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Western University, Faculty of Social Science (2012) – Gold Medalist
Insights from LERNx
-
Court of Appeal for Ontario Offers Guidance on Illegal By-Laws, Land Use Planning and Development Charges
- Commercial Litigation
-
Tackling the Thorny Issue of Constructive Expropriation Claims: Annapolis Group Inc. v Halifax Regional Municipality
- Commercial Litigation
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You Zone It, You Buy It: Lessons on “Disguised Expropriation” from Ville de Mascouche v Dupras
- Commercial Litigation
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‘Damage’ Defined – Court of Appeal for Ontario Interprets ‘Damage’ in the Endangered Species Act: Ontario (Natural Resources and Forestry) v. South Bruce Peninsula (Town), 2022 ONCA 315
- Appeals,
- Commercial Litigation
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Too Little, Too Late: Court of Appeal Refuses to Consider New Defence in Environmental Contamination Case of Sorbam Investments
- Appeals,
- Commercial Litigation
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The Courts, the Constitution, and Naturalized Lawns
- Commercial Litigation
Contact
- Phone:
- 519.640.6333
- Fax:
- 519.932.3333