Alan D'Silva

Alan D’Silva stands as a partner within the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group, recognized as one of Canada's premier litigation lawyers. His legal acumen spans a vast array of specialties including class action defense, corporate and commercial disputes, securities litigation, and cases involving shareholder oppression, significant insurance litigation, and professional negligence. Alan's expertise also covers sports law and litigation related to directors' and officers' liability. He has played a pivotal role in the Management Committee at the Toronto office.

With a notable presence in the courtroom, Alan has represented clients in over 200 publicly reported cases, showcasing his prowess across all court levels and various administrative tribunals. His appellate court appearances exceed 100, alongside significant contributions to the Supreme Court of Canada in 13 instances since 2001. His roles have extended to mediator, arbitrator, and expert witness within Canadian legal proceedings.

Among his accolades, Alan received the University of Ottawa Law School's Alumni Award in 2015 and was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society, marking the school's highest alumni honor. Further national acclaim came from Canadian Lawyer magazine, naming him among the top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.

Since 2018, Alan has been a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America's Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, an exclusive invitation-only group. His expertise in sports law led to his appointment as an Arbitrator for the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019, making him part of an elite global panel arbitrating professional and amateur sports disputes. In 2022, Alan joined Arbitration Place as a resident arbitrator and mediator, offering his dispute resolution expertise to both domestic and international clients.

Alan's commitment to legal education is profound. He has served as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at several prestigious law schools across Canada, covering topics from class actions and appeals to constitutional law. His instructional roles have also encompassed trial advocacy and legal writing within professional legal education programs.

He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and has held leadership positions in various legal forums and societies, including the Northwind Class Actions Invitational Forum and The Advocates’ Society. Alan's influence extends beyond legal circles into charitable and non-profit sectors, where he has held board and committee roles, underlining his community engagement.

Alan's educational foundation includes a mediation certificate from the Advocates’ Society/Harvard Program, a J.D. cum laude from the University of Ottawa, a stint at Université Laval for a French-language program, and a B.A. with distinction from Carleton University. His admission to the Ontario Bar solidifies his legal standing in the province.