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Richard B. Swan

Commercial Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Shaan P. Tolani

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In September 2023, Chief Justice Morawetz of the Superior Court of Justice and Attorney General Doug Downey announced an initiative to undertake a comprehensive review of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure, with a view to reducing delay in the Ontario judicial system and fostering greater access to justice.

Proposed Major Overhaul of Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure

Upending the Ground Rules: Proposed Major Overhaul of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure

Katherine Booth

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Partner

Lamont Bartlett

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Gannon Beaulne

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Thirty-seven Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://benchmarklitigation.com/Firm/Bennett-Jones/Profile/111070#lawyers" target="_blank">Benchmark Canada</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://benchmarklitigation.com/Firm/Bennett-Jones/Profile/111070#lawyers" target="_blank"> 2025 rankings</a>, including 30 Litigation Stars and 10 Future Stars. Five of our lawyers were also named among the Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada.

Bennett Jones Lawyers Named Among Canadas Top Litigators By Benchmark Canada

Bennett Jones Lawyers Named Among Canada's Top Litigators By Benchmark Canada

Melanie L. Aitken

Global Antitrust and Competition Law and Litigation Advisor at Bennett Jones Washington

Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP

Abbas Ali Khan

Mining, Technology, Securities and Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Bennett Jones has been recognized in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://chambers.com/law-firm/bennett-jones-llp-global-2:2791" target="_blank">Chambers Global Guide 2025</a>, with 49 lawyers ranked across 19 practice areas. Clients in Canada and around the world trust us to navigate their most complex legal matters. Our inclusion in Chambers Global Guide 2025 highlights our commitment to an exceptional client experience, deep industry knowledge and long-standing client relationships.

Chambers Global Ranks Bennett Jones Lawyers in 2025 Guide

David S. Rotchtin

Financial Services and Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Mark Rasile

Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Patrick J. Brennan KC

Asset-based Financing, Debt Restructuring and Aviation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Bennett Jones has once again been recognized as a top-tier firm in five practice areas in the 2025 <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.legal500.com/firms/52588-bennett-jones-llp/7230-vancouver-canada/?layout=canada&token=7791376db1a00068dcd879e40f90e84c" target="_blank">Legal 500 Canada</a> guide. Known for our deep knowledge and client-focused approach, we consistently deliver strategic solutions that help clients solve their most complex legal matters. This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence and our dedication to achieving the best results for our clients.

Bennett Jones Recognized as Top Tier Firm in Legal 500 Canada Rankings

Bennett Jones Recognized as Top-Tier Firm in Legal 500 Canada Rankings

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Richard Swan in CBC News on Kingsway Entertainment District

Authors


Bennett Jones In The News Richard Swan in CBC News on Kingsway Entertainment District June 30, 2020 Authors Richard B. SwanPartner Richard Swan (who is acting for Gateway Casinos along with Andrew Jeanrie and Ian Thompson) appears in CBC News' coverage of Superior Court proceedings in a case involving Sudbury's Kingsway Entertainment District. Lawyer Richard Swan spoke for Gateway Casinos, an intervenor in the case. Swan argued, in part, that the applicant was bringing up issues from 2017 that are not directly relevant;—referring to it as an "everything but the kitchen sink approach." "The only question before the court is whether the four bylaws," passed in April 2018 to rezoning and amendments to the official plan "should be quashed for illegality," Swan said. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Richard B. Swan, Partner • Co-Head of Commercial Litigation Practice Toronto • 416.777.7479 • swanr@bennettjones.com