Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Toronto (2016) JD
- McGill University (2012) BA (First Class Joint Honours in History, Political Science, Classics)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
Jonathan McDaniel
is a partner at Lenczner Slaght.
Jon maintains a broad litigation practice with a focus on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, and public law. His clients have included government agencies, boards of directors, oil and gas companies, regulated professionals, manufacturers, financial institutions, developers, insurers, and technology companies, among others.
Jon has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and various administrative tribunals including the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. He has defended the interests of a wide range of clients at trial, on appeal, and at a variety of other hearings.
Jon obtained his law degree from the University of Toronto where he received the Laskin Prize in Constitutional Law, and previously practiced at a national firm in Calgary and Toronto.
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Annapolis Group v Halifax Regional Municipality
Counsel to the plaintiff in an action concerning alleged de facto expropriation, misfeasance in public office, and unjust enrichment relating to the plaintiff’s efforts to develop its lands within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Successfully represented the plaintiff at the Supreme Court of Canada with the Court clarifying the test for de facto expropriation and concluding that our client’s claim for de facto expropriation could proceed to trial.
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WSIB Investments (Infrastructure) Pooled Fund Trust et al v Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd. et al
Successful trial counsel to two employee pension and injured workers funds in a breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claim with a manager of public infrastructure projects.
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Counsel to Zurich in an action to rescind surety bonds worth nearly $300 million, and to recover over $68 million, due to collusion and misrepresentations in the bidding process for the St. Michael’s Hospital Redevelopment Project in Toronto.
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Urban Mechanical Contracting Ltd et al v Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
Counsel to Zurich in an appeal from several applications brought by the lenders and subcontractors on the St. Michael’s Hospital Redevelopment Project in Toronto. The lenders and subcontractors sought to prevent Zurich from seeking rescission of surety bonds worth nearly $300 million in a separate action. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, allowing Zurich to continue with its action for rescission.
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The Mangrove Partners Master Fund v TransAlta Corporation
Counsel to the directors of TransAlta Corporation in an oppression claim brought by a significant shareholder.
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Boyer v Callidus Capital Corporation
Counsel to a former employee at Callidus Capital Corporation, who commenced a wrongful dismissal claim in 2017. Callidus counterclaimed against our client for $150 million, which we successfully argued to have dismissed as an “Anti-SLAPP” proceeding at the Court of Appeal. We then obtained summary judgment in the main employment action for over $1.3 million plus interest and successfully held the summary judgment on appeal.
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1544656 v Independent Electricity System Operator
Counsel for IESO in a dispute relating to the interpretation of a feed-in-tariff program contract.
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The Advocates’ Society
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Ontario Bar Association
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American Bar Association
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The Digital Shift in Ontario Courts: Proposed Rules for a Tech-Driven Future
The proposed reforms to Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure (which we summarize here) includes innovative ways to better harness technology, making the litigation process quicker, simpler, and more accessible. The ongoing Civil Rules Review Working Group has proposed several enhancements to build on the steps our courts have taken since the pandemic, using more electronic means for filings, hearings, and civil litigation overall. These proposed changes aim to streamline legal processes and improve access to justice through the effective use of technology.
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The Federal Court of Appeal has affirmed the constitutionality of Canada’s federal anti-spam legislation (“CASL”) in 3510395 Canada Inc v Canada (Attorney General), on both federalism and Charter grounds.
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Landmark Electronic Trial Produces $259 Million Award for Lenczner Slaght Client
WSIB Investments (Infrastructure) Pooled Fund Trust v Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd is featured in the January 2025 edition of Bare Bones Briefs by LegalWriter.net. This case was the first fully electronic trial in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, lasting seven weeks. It culminated in a $259 million judgment for WSIB Investments (Infrastructure) Pooled Fund Trust, represented by Peter Griffin, Dena Varah, Meghan Bridges, Jonathan McDaniel, Andrew Locatelli, and Madeleine Andrew-Gee.
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Lenczner Slaght’s Trial Lawyers Successful in $259 Million Judgment for Public Sector Funds
In WSIB Investments (Infrastructure) Pooled Fund Trust v Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd, our expert litigators were successful in obtaining a $259 million judgment in disgorgement for our clients, two employee pension and injured workers funds, against the Defendants for breach of fiduciary duty, knowing assistance, and knowing receipt. The 7-week trial before the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench was the first fully electronic trial to be completed in the province.
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Lenczner Slaght Litigators Recognized as the Best Lawyers in Canada
In the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada, Lenczner Slaght is proud to receive 168 total rankings, with 45 of our expert litigators recognized for their expertise across 25 practice areas.
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Canada’s leading litigation firm is proud to announce the promotion of Meghan Bridges, Madison Robins, and Jonathan McDaniel to its partnership.
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Our Bench Strength Gets Stronger
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to attract top legal talent, with the addition of three exceptional new associates.
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46th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop (ITAW)
Lawrence Thacker, Risa Kirshblum, Monique Jilesen, Brendan Morrison, and Jonathan Chen will participate as instructors at the 46th Annual Intensive Trial Advocacy Workshop (ITAW), hosted by Osgoode Professional Development. Jonathan McDaniel and Kate Costin will also take part in ITAW, serving as Mock Expert Witnesses. This program will gather over 100 experts in advocacy skills training and guest speakers who are active members of the Bench and Bar. Attendees will have the opportunity to develop and refine their advocacy skills.
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2024 Snapshot: Through the Lens of Lenczner Slaght
Lenczner Slaght launches our 2024 Snapshot, which highlights the most significant developments, decisions, and trends in litigation from the past year across 20 areas of expertise. Reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025 through the lens of our expert litigators.
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A New Handbook for All Litigators
Jonathan McDaniel and Samantha Hale co-authored the article "A New Handbook for All Litigators", published in The Advocates’ Journal. In this article, Jonathan and Samantha review Robert Harrison and Richard Swan’s book, Skillful Witness Examinations in Civil and Arbitration Cases, exploring witnesses, counsel, documents, and expert reports in the case of Laveneer Inc v Svengali Ltd, and providing a new take on a litigator’s go-to handbook.
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2023 Snapshot: Through the Lens of Lenczner Slaght
Lenczner Slaght launches our 2023 Snapshot, a look at the most significant developments, decisions, business takeaways, and trends in litigation from the last year, across 15 practice areas. Revisit 2023 and look ahead to 2024 through the lens of our expert litigators.
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2025)
Ones to Watch – Corporate & Commercial Litigation