Recognition

Partner
2021 The Legal 500 Canada (Dispute Resolution – Rising Star)

Education

  • LL.B. 2009, Dalhousie University

Bar Admission

  • 2021 Admitted to the Ontario Bar
  • 2015 Admitted to the Alberta Bar
  • 2010 Admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar

Ian is a member of the firm’s Business Disputes and Maritime Practice Groups.

Ian is a commercial litigator with a focus on dispute resolution in the transportation sector. Ian acts as counsel in litigation and arbitrations involving cargo, casualty, construction, and contract claims relating to all modes of transportation.

In addition, Ian represents clients in numerous product liability matters. He primarily defends manufacturers in civil litigation and assists with reporting defects and incidents to regulatory authorities.

Ian also has ample experience in the energy sector, including representing midstream, energy, and oilfield services companies in commercial and construction-related disputes.

In addition to his transportation, product liability, and energy law practice, Ian has experience in a variety of areas and industries, such as banking and securities, construction, municipal, insolvency, administrative, and Aboriginal law.

Ian has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and all levels of the Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Federal Courts.

Before joining Alexander Holburn, Ian practiced in Calgary, Alberta, at one of Canada’s leading business law firms. Prior to that, Ian clerked at the Federal Court of Canada and practiced at a major regional firm in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ian volunteers with Pro Bono Ontario and sits on the board of directors of a registered charity and non-profit local sailing club. He has also acted as pro bono counsel for refugee claimants before the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court, and he has volunteered with Pro Bono Law Alberta’s Civil Claims Duty Counsel and Queen’s Bench Amicus programs.

On A Personal Note...

In addition to spending time with his young family, Ian loves sailing Lake Ontario in the summer and downhill skiing in the Rocky Mountains in winter and going for the occasional run.

Representative Experience

  • Acting as counsel for shippers and carriers in arbitrations and litigation involving shipments that were cancelled or misdelivered, and cargo that was spoiled or damaged
  • Advising on and negotiating charter parties and transportation contracts
  • Defending product liability and manufacturers’ defects claims, and acting as counsel in related commercial litigation
  • Reporting potential incidents and defects to regulatory authorities on behalf of manufacturers and distributions
  • Acting for and advising municipalities in disputes regarding the construction of light rail transit systems
  • Acting for a major railway in a variety of disputes, including derailments, cargo claims, crossing disputes, property damage, and personal injury matters
  • Acting as counsel in disputes regarding the construction of pipeline, rail, and multimodal infrastructure
  • Acting as co-counsel for refinery and pipeline owners in disputes regarding refinery outages, capacity issues, and contractual disputes
  • Representing clients in the financial and energy sectors in matters involving fraud and other serious misconduct
  • Representing business owners, developers, and landowners before municipal appeal boards and councils, including for cannabis store development permits, and in litigation with municipalities and provincial governments
  • Acting as co-counsel in the Clyde River v Attorney General of Canada Supreme Court of Canada appeal regarding the duty to consult Aboriginal peoples
  • Acting for manufacturers and owners of heavy equipment involved in incidents during construction and operation
  • Acting as counsel for a major petroleum producer and shipper in judicial review proceedings
  • Advising product manufacturers and petroleum producers regarding standard terms and conditions for shipping and crewing contracts
  • Defending financial institutions and financial advisors against investment loss and similar claims, and advising companies responding to securities and related investigations
  • Acting for applicants and respondents in applications for judicial review from a number of provincial and federal decision-makers

Publications

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • The Advocates’ Society, Member, former 10+ Committee, Anti-Racism Working Group, Inclusive Pronouns Working Group, and co-producer of the Friends Who Argue podcast
  • Canadian Maritime Law Association, Member, and Members of the Arctic Issues, Federal Court Act and Rules, and Limitation of Liabilities Committees, Member
  • Eastern Admiralty Law Association, Member
  • Canadian Transportation Lawyers Association, Member
  • Transportation Lawyers Association, Member
  • Toronto Transportation Club, Member
  • The Hamilton Bay Sailing Club, Director  and Large Boat Captain
  • The Cure Starts Now Canada, Director and Corporate Secretary