Peter J. Lukasiewicz

Bio

Peter Lukasiewicz is a senior commercial litigator who counsels and represents significant domestic and global clients in complex commercial disputes. He has been repeatedly recognized as one of Canada's leading commercial litigators by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Best Lawyers in Canada.

From 2016 to 2021 Peter served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, the Canadian arm of Gowling WLG, and was co-chair of Gowling WLG's international board. As CEO Peter led the strengthening of the firm's practices domestically, emphasized associate advancement and inclusion and prioritized mental health and DEI.

As the firm's past CEO, Peter continues to play an instrumental role in supporting the firm's development by mentoring young advocates, fostering client relationships, cultivating new leaders and supporting strategic initiatives.

Prior to becoming CEO, Peter served on the firm's national leadership team as the Managing Partner - Clients, with primary responsibility for advancing the firm's relationships with its clients. Before joining the firm's national leadership team, he served as the Managing Partner of the Toronto office for 15 years, having previously served as Head of the Advocacy Department in Toronto.

Peter is active in the community and the profession. He is a member of the board of Indspire, a leading Canadian Indigenous charity. Peter previously served as President of The Advocates' Society, Canada's premier organization for advocates, and Chair of the Board of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Experience

Representative Work

Peter's ongoing and recent representative engagements include:

Advising one of Canada's largest telecommunication companies in litigation and arbitration matters related to advertising
Advising Boards of Directors regarding senior management issues
Counsel to a global record label in a class action brought by rights holders of songs published in Canada
Counsel to Toronto Community Housing Corporation in respect of the class action arising from the fire at 200 Wellesley Street East, Toronto
Representing a national mutual fund company in defence of claims asserted by an investment management company
Defeated a motion for a multi-million dollar interlocutory injunction in Winnipeg and secured the dissolution of an interim injunction
Successfully overturned an adverse trial decision in the Ontario Court of Appeal and now prosecuting an action for a mortgagee challenging the expropriation of a large commercial property
Defending a leading brokerage firm in investor actions launched under the provisions of the Ontario Securities Act

Qualifications

Career

2007

Toronto Managing Partner, Gowlings

1997

Toronto Managing Partner, Gowlings

Education

2006

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Business - Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD Corporate Governance College, Directors Education Program, ICD.D designation

1979

Queen's University, LLB

Languages Spoken

English

Memberships

American Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Institute of Corporate Directors
The Advocates' Society

Community

President, The Advocates' Society

2014

Chair, Council of Chairs of Ontario Universities

2009

Director, The Advocates' Society

2008

Chair, Board of Governors, Toronto Metropolitan University

2006

Member, Board of Governors, Toronto Metropolitan University

2003

Board of Directors, Indspire

1990

Publications & speaking engagements

Peter's recent publications/public speaking engagements include:

Legal Services RFPs: How Outside Counsel Can Win the Bid, ABA Spring Business Law Section Meeting, 2013

"International Litigation: Investor Protection under NAFTA's Chapter 11," American Bar Association Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation, 2010

"The Protection of Pre-Trial Rights and Remedies in Canada and in England," American Bar Association Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation, 2009

"International Litigation: Developments in International Commercial Arbitration," Moderator, American Bar Association Business Law Section Annual Meeting, 2009

"A Lawyer's Duty to Opposing Counsel," Advocates Society Symposium on Professionalism, 2009

"International Litigation: Class Proceedings in Canada and in other Common Law Jurisdictions," American Bar Association Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporation Litigation, 2008

"International Litigation: Developments in Canadian Conflicts of Law," American Bar Association Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporation Litigation, 2007

"Discovery in Transnational Litigation: The Canadian Perspective," delivered to the American Bar Association Business Law Section Annual Meeting, 2007

"Rights and Remedies of Income Trust Unit Holders," Commercial Litigation Review, Vol. 4, No.2, June 2006

Peter J. Lukasiewicz

Partner

Bio

Bio

Experience

Experience

Representative Work

Qualifications

Qualifications

Career

Education

Languages Spoken

Memberships

Community

Publications & speaking engagements

Publications & speaking engagements

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