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When he speaks, the judge listens.
Chambers Canada
The best appellate lawyer in Ontario.
Chambers Canada
Universally admired as a leading litigator in the practice.
Chambers Canada
Reputation earned.
Paul has over 45 years of experience as both trial and appellate counsel and has acted in many cases of significance. Paul’s litigation practice focuses on complex commercial, securities, class action, professional negligence, and administrative matters, with special emphasis on appeals in these and other areas. Paul is a senior and leading member of the Ontario Bar. As Chambers Canada puts it; Chambers Canada 2016 reads: “Paul Pape is universally admired as a leading litigator in the province. “He is the best appellate lawyer in Ontario,” one client enthused, while another added: “His oral advocacy is supreme – when he speaks, the judge listens.”
Chambers Canada 2017 reads: “Founding partner Paul Pape is renowned for his skills in appellate advocacy. He is described by sources as “a huge name” who is “legendary and very well respected.” Pape is widely acknowledged as “one of the go-to appeals lawyers in the city.”
Chambers Canada 2018 reads: “The “excellent” Paul Pape boasts considerable expertise in contentious business matters and is especially well versed in appellate litigation across corporate, class action, securities and professional negligence disputes.”
Chambers Canada 2020 reads: “Sources describe Paul as a “pragmatic and thoughtful, results-oriented barrister.” "
Chambers Canada 2021 reads: "Sources are quick to highlight Paul Pape as an “outstanding lawyer” whose “legal analysis is remarkable.” He possesses a formidable reputation as a commercial litigator which he has fashioned over decades of practice. He enjoys particular renown for his handling of appellate cases, and is recognised as a “first-rate appeals lawyer.”
Chambers Canada 2022 reads: "Paul Pape is an excellent appellate lawyer and a great member of the Bar. He is an excellent litigator who takes on very difficult and challenging appeals."
Chambers Canada 2023 reads: "Paul is one of the premier appellate counsels in Ontario and is a very effective advocate."
Chambers Canada 2024 reads: " He is a terrific advocate and one of the most highly regarded appellate advocates in our province."
Bar Admissions
Law Society of Upper Canada (1971)
Education
L.L.M. King’s College, University of London, England (1972)
L.L.B. Osgoode Hall Law School (1969)
B.A. English University of Toronto (1966)
Partner
Paul Pape
Publications
Pape, "Advocacy in the Court of Appeal: One lawyer's perspective" (2009) December; The Advocates’ Journal.
Pape, "Written Advocacy in the Court of Appeal: One lawyer's perspective" (2009) July; The Litigator.
Recognition & Awards
Lexpert Zenith Award as an Agent of Change 2012
Lexpert/ALM Guide to the top 500 lawyers in Canada (annually)
Benchmark Canada ; the Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada (2017/2018) also described as a Litigation Star
Best Lawyers; Lawyer of the Year, Appellate Law, Toronto 2013, 2019 and 2024, Legal Malpractice Law, Toronto 2021
Lexpert’s top 100 creative lawyers in Canada (2016)
Canadian Lexpert Directory – Litigation – Repeatedly Recommended (2018, 2019)
Gold Key Award in Achievement, Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni, 2019
Professional Associations
The American College of Trial Lawyers (fellow)
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers (fellow)
Litigation Counsel of America (fellow)
The Commercial Bar of England (Combar) honorary member
The Advocates' Society
Presentations & Appearances
Paul was a presenter at LSO’s Causation on Trial: Making Sense of Causation in the Most Difficult Cases on February 26, 2021
Paul was a presenter at Recent Key Developments in Contract Law, an Ontario Bar Association Program, May 14, 2020
Paul was selected as a recipient of the 2019 Osgoode Hall Law School Alumni Gold Key Award in the Achievement Category
Professional Activities
The Advocates’ Society
Canadian Bar Association