Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Toronto (1986) LLB
- Queen's University BA (Political Studies)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
- Recognition
William C. McDowell
is a partner at Lenczner Slaght.
In his wide-ranging practice, Will has appeared as counsel in many important cases focusing on issues of public law and commercial litigation. He is also a leading practitioner of libel and media law, having acted for both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous noteworthy cases. In addition, he has acted as counsel to several Ontario universities.
From 2005 to 2008, Will was Canada's Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, with responsibility for civil litigation, national security and issues involving federal central agencies. He led a Department of Justice team that addressed a complex series of issues surrounding the Aboriginal Days of Protest in 2006–2007.
Upon his return to private practice in 2008, Will was appointed by the Chief Justice of Ontario to mediate issues arising from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Inquiry into Aboriginal residential schools. He was subsequently appointed to an Amicus role by the Superior Court in connection with a series of land occupations in Brantford. In 2009 he was named Chief Commission Counsel to the City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry, which delivered its report in October 2011.
Will was a joint recipient of the Department of Justice National Award for his work in resolving the high-profile Maher Arar v Canada case. He has also been honoured by the University of Toronto for many years of volunteer efforts on behalf of his alma mater. A frequent contributor to professional conferences as a speaker as well as a writer, he has taught trial advocacy at Queen's University and Osgoode Hall law schools. Will is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
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Town of Collingwood Judicial Inquiry
Counsel to the Town of Collingwood in a Judicial Inquiry into the 50% share sale of Collingwood Utility Services Corporation to PowerStream Inc.
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Counsel to the plaintiff, the former President of the University of Saskatchewan, in a high-profile wrongful termination claim against her prior employer, the Board of the University and the then Premier of the Province and Minister responsible for post-secondary education.
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Counsel to a prominent criminal lawyer in a case involving allegations of solicitor’s negligence in connection with a guilty plea in US criminal proceedings. Successful in having the action dismissed on a motion for summary judgment.
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Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry
Commission Counsel to the Public Inquiry into the safety and security of residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System.
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Google Inc v Equustek Solutions Inc
Counsel to Google in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in a novel case regarding the limits to be placed on internet injunctions granted against non-parties.
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Subway Franchise Systems of Canada Inc v Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Counsel to Subway in a $210 million defamation action against the CBC and Trent University relating to a Marketplace episode.
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Counsel to plaintiff University in a successful trial of an action arising from fraud by senior university executives in connection with construction and maintenance work.
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Counsel to the plaintiffs in an action relating to the design and construction of a data centre.
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Counsel to an intervener in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the novel question of whether an internet hyperlink to a defamatory statement constitutes republication of the defamation.
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HMQ (Canada) v Canadian Transit Company
Counsel to the Government of Canada in relation to litigation relating to the Detroit/Windsor transportation corridor and the new DRIC Bridge.
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American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
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Law Society of Ontario - Bencher (2011–2019)
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The Advocates' Society - Member; Former Director
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Canadian Bar Association
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Ontario Bar Association
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Alliance Française de Toronto
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University of Toronto Summer Institute in Advocacy - Founding Co-Chair
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Laskin Moot - Director
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Instructions to Spies: Are They Privileged?
In brief, the decision by Justice Boswell of the Commercial List suggests that solicitor/client privilege has been narrowed, and litigation privilege has become easier to lose. For seven years, Catalyst Capital and West Face Capital have been at war. Their latest skirmish, over privilege, might change the way that lawyers interact with witnesses, investigators, and the media.
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In 2017, the Canada Food Inspection Agency (the “CFIA”) determined that wines produced by Psagot Winery, a vineyard located within an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, could be sold in Canada with a “Product of Israel” label to meet “country of origin” labelling requirements required under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Food and Drugs Act. This decision was challenged by Dr. David Kattenburg, a Canadian activist, on the basis that the wine was in fact produced on occupied Palestinian territory and not within Israel, making the labelling of “Product of Israel” false and misleading and therefore contrary to the applicable legislation.
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Supreme Court of Canada Provides First Guidance on the Test for an Anti-SLAPP Motion
The Supreme Court of Canada has released its highly anticipated pair of decisions, 1704604 Ontario Ltd v Pointes Protection Association and Bent v Platnick, which consider the anti-SLAPP framework set out in s 137.1 of the Ontario Courts of Justice Act (“CJA”) for the first time.
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When Must an Anti-SLAPP Motion Be Heard?
Ontario’s Anti-SLAPP legislation (ss 137.1 to 137.5 of the Courts of Justice Act) provides a judicial screening device. It is designed to swiftly eliminate claims that unduly limit freedom of expression on matters of public interest. Since coming into force, courts have considered, at length, the substantive issues. To date, little guidance has been provided on the procedural issues.
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Towards a More Workable Approach: Proportionality and Internet Defamation
As the internet continues to develop into the primary forum for expression in our society, defamation actions increasingly involve comments made online.
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Benchmark Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght as a “Powerhouse"
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to be recognized with the top tier ranking of “Highly Recommended in Ontario” for its Dispute Resolution practice.
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The 2021 Lexpert Directory Recognizes 30 Lenczner Slaght Lawyers
An increasing number of our expert litigators are recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Lenczner Slaght Achieves 20 Years at the Centre of the Lexpert Bull’s-Eye
The 2021 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada continues to recognize Lenczner Slaght as the #1 firm in Toronto for Litigation and Commercial Litigation.
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Lexpert Recognizes Lenczner Slaght Lawyers for Litigation Excellence
An increasing number of our expert litigators continue to be recognized as the foremost litigators in their fields by peers and senior members of the legal profession.
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Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2020 Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Expert Litigators
In the latest edition of Who's Who Legal: Canada, Lenczner Slaght achieves eight recognitions in the Litigation chapter, with a total of ten expert litigators ranked.
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Lenczner Slaght Recognized as a Top-Tier Litigation Firm by Chambers Canada
Canada’s leading litigation firm and its expert litigators continue to be recognized by world-renowned directory, Chambers & Partners.
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Best Lawyers in Canada Recognizes Lenczner Slaght’s Litigation Expertise
Lenczner Slaght is proud to announce that 33 of our expert litigators are recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2021. Our lawyers received a total of 128 rankings, up from 100 in 2020.
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Lexpert Highlights Lenczner Slaght’s Professional Excellence
Lenczner Slaght’s litigators continue to be recognized by their peers as the foremost practitioners in their fields.
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Lenczner Slaght’s Expert Litigators Ranked in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2019
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to be recognized for its exceptional litigation expertise.
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Lenczner Slaght’s 19th Year at the Centre of the Lexpert Bull’s-Eye
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to be recognized as the #1 firm in Toronto for Litigation and Commercial Litigation by the 2020 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.
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Thomas G. Heintzman, OC, QC: Life at full speed
William C. McDowell's article Thomas G. Heintzman, OC, QC: Life at full speed was published in the Summer 2020 Issue of The Advocates' Journal. The article is a tribute to the late Thomas G. Heintzman, OC, QC.
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Keeping Up with the Times: How to Survive and Thrive in the Age of Digital Litigation
William C. McDowell was a faculty member at the 2018 Ontario Bar Association’s Institute. With his depth of expertise and experience in Defamation & Media Law, he discussed "The Impact of Social Media on the Development of the Law".
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Your Profession, Your Future: The Future of Media and the Law
William McDowell was a panelist at The Advocates' Society's program on how to manage the media in high profile cases, how to take a business... -
John Furlong, Laura Robinson and Qualified Privilege
William McDowell participated in a podcast entitled "John Furlong's Privilege", along with Jesse Brown of Canadaland, regarding John Furlong, Laura... -
Advanced Administrative Law and Practice
William McDowell was a guest speaker at the the Canadian Institute's Advanced Administrative Law and Practice conference. William spoke on ethics and... -
Libel and You, the Municipal Practitioner
William C. McDowell spoke at the annual conference of the International Municipal Lawyers Association in Canada (Advancing Excellence in the Practice... -
William C. McDowell presented on the topic Lawyers in the Media at the Manitoba Bar Association on January 24, 2014.
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Municipal Governance Redux (What Every Mayor Should Know)
William McDowell presented on the topic at the 2nd Annual Civil Litigation Summit held in Toronto on June 11, 2013.
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Putting Theory into Practice: Exercising Professionalism and Civility
Will McDowell presented on the topic in a demonstration of an examination for discovery at The Advocates' Society conference.
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Debate on Cameras in the Courts: Time for a Change?
Will McDowell presented on Cameras and New Media in the Courtroom at the 2012 Fall Convention hosted by The Advocates' Society.
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Benchmark Canada (2012-2021)
Litigation Star – Commercial, Government & Regulatory
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Benchmark Canada (2019)
Medical Defense/Health Attorney of the Year
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Best Lawyers in Canada (2013-2021)
Administrative & Public Law, Class Action Litigation, Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media, Health Care Law, Legal Malpractice Law
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Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2012-2021)
Litigation - Corporate Commercial, Litigation - Defamation & Media, Litigation - Public Law, Professional Liability
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Chambers Canada (2020-2021)
Litigation: Administrative & Public Law (Ontario)
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Department of Justice National (2011)
Award for his work in resolving the Maher Arar v Canada case
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Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada (2013-2018)
Corporate Commercial Litigation, Defamation & Media Litigation
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Lexpert Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2013-2020)
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Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (2016-2021)
Corporate Commercial Litigation
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Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rating
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