He has over 38 years' experience representing parties in commercial disputes
The Law Society of Ontario's governing board has elected Peter C. Wardle as treasurer for the 2024-25 term.
Wardle served as a bencher from 2011 to 2019 and was re-elected in 2023. His extensive involvement includes co-chairing the Governance Review Task Force and vice-chairing the Professional Development and Competence Committee. He has also co-chaired the Mentoring Task Force and the Audit and Finance Committee and chaired the Compensation Fund and Professional Development and Competence Committees. Currently, he is the vice-chair of the appeal division of the Law Society Tribunal and serves as a hearing and appeal adjudicator.
With over 38 years of experience, Wardle is a recognized advocate in commercial disputes involving contract interpretation, shareholder and partnership obligations, securities, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, construction, estates, and real estate. He has appeared before numerous regulatory tribunals and has prosecuted discipline cases for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. His notable public inquiry roles include acting as counsel for affected families in the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario and representing a citizens group in the Cornwall Public Inquiry. In 2022, he served as lead counsel for the City of Ottawa in the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry.
Wardle was called to the bar of Ontario in 1986 after completing a law degree from Queen’s University in 1984.
“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I thank my fellow benchers for bestowing it upon me. I look forward to leading the Law Society benchers and the lawyers and paralegals of Ontario in a respectful and productive manner,” said Wardle. He also expressed his appreciation for Jacqueline Horvat, the outgoing treasurer, and extended his best wishes for her future endeavours.
“I also wish to thank and congratulate my colleague, Sidney Troister. I look forward to our continued work together on matters vital to serving the public and the professions, well,” he added.
