Expertise
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- Western University (1973) LLB
- McGill University (1970) BA (Honours)
Details
- Bio
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
David Doherty , K.C.
is Counsel at Lenczner Slaght.
In his role, David serves as a mentor and advisor, offering strategic and practical advice, as well as his dispute resolution expertise, to both firm members and external clients (including individuals, corporations and governmental bodies). David will also act as an arbitrator and mediator on the roster at Arbitration Place.
Prior to joining the firm, David was the longest-serving judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario and second-longest-serving appellate judge in Canadian history. When he retired, the Toronto Star described him as “the best judge on any court in the country,” further noting that “no one has been smarter, fairer, more insightful or articulate.”
On the Court of Appeal, David served in what his colleagues would call, the “Doherty Way”, leading by example, shaping the law, and being the most generous of colleagues. Over his distinguished 33-year tenure, he heard more than 6,000 civil and criminal appeals. His decisions are cited and relied upon in all appellate courts across the country, including in the Supreme Court of Canada. In one recent case, the Supreme Court of Canada cited five different Doherty J.A. decisions.
A top legal mind with an impeccable reputation for integrity, hard-work and fair mindedness, David has led the way as a jurist, trial and appellate counsel, and teacher, and made an indelible mark on the law of this country. While best known and admired for his expertise in criminal law and its impact on the administration of criminal justice, his contribution to the development of civil justice is just as strong. His decisions have touched at least 49 separate areas of civil law with leading decisions in privacy, oppression, abuse of process, issue estoppel, enforcement of foreign judgements, copyright and a host of others.
Throughout his career as a litigator, David handled a wide range of cases, first as a Crown Counsel and then in private practice including prosecuting complex commercial frauds; defending medical malpractice actions, commercial disputes, discipline proceedings and everything in between.
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Former Court of Appeal Justice David Doherty, K.C. Joins Lenczner Slaght
Canada’s leading litigation firm is proud to welcome the Honourable David Doherty, K.C. as Counsel.
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Fireside Chat on Advocacy with The Honourable David Doherty, KC
This special program, hosted by The Advocates’ Society and the Young Advocates' Standing Committee, featured a one-on-one conversation with David Doherty, a recently retired judge of the Ontario Court of Appeal and current Counsel at Lenczner Slaght.
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Sopinka Lecture with Justice David H. Doherty, Ontario Court of Appeal
David Doherty was invited to present at the 52nd Annual Fall Conference organized by the Criminal Lawyers’ Association. David delivered this year’s Sopinka Lecture.
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Justice David H. Doherty Takes His Final Bow
Tom Curry co-authored the article “Justice David H. Doherty Takes His Final Bow,” published in The Advocates' Society Journal. The article honors Justice Doherty’s distinguished 35.5-year career, including 33.5 years on the Court of Appeal for Ontario, where he became one of Canada's most respected criminal law jurists. Despite his profound impact on Canadian law, Justice Doherty remains a private and enigmatic figure following his retirement."
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G. Arthur Martin Medal (2019)
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Gold Medal (1973)
Western Law
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Honorary Doctorate (2024)