Overview

John acts for clients in complex business disputes and white-collar engagements. Widely recognized as a leading trial, arbitration and appellate advocate, he has been lead counsel in a range of complex litigation and arbitration matters. Among other recent accolades, in 2025 John was listed by Benchmark Litigation as one of Canada’s “Top 50 Trial Lawyers” and he was the recipient of Benchmark’s “White-Collar/Enforcement Litigator of the Year” award. John is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Civil Litigation, and he is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
John is ranked by Chambers as a leading individual in both the Corporate Litigation and White Collar categories. Clients interviewed by Chambers have said: "John Pirie has a sterling reputation in the legal community and is regarded as a powerful litigator" and "He is a recognized expert when it comes to handling cases involving allegations of corporate fraud or corruption." John has a long record of success acting for a range of clients including multinational corporations, banks, officers and directors, a securities regulator, a stock exchange, investors, public officials, members of the Canadian judiciary and a variety of professionals.
John is recognized as one of the top litigators in Canada. John has acted on an array of high profile commercial disputes including a case in the Supreme Court of Canada ranked by Lexpert Magazine as Canada's #1 annual business decision. John has also appeared as counsel in a number of the country's leading corporate and civil fraud cases. John has been recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation and in L'Expert's Annual Guide to the Leading Canada/US Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers. He has previously been named one of Lexpert's Rising Stars, a "Top 40" award that recognizes Canadian lawyers with an outstanding record of success. In 2020, John was inducted as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
John has been a moot court judge in Osgoode Hall Law School's Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, and he has been an instructor carrying out the National Institute of Trial Advocacy's training programs. John has also appeared repeatedly as a lecturer in Osgoode's Graduate Civil Litigation Program.
Counsel for General Dynamics Corporation in litigation involving an alleged breach of contract concerning the supply of armored vehicles.
Counsel for Safran Landing Systems in litigation involving the alleged breach of a long-term supply contract concerning aircraft parts.
Counsel for a US-based railway in an arbitration with a competitor concerning operational rights and revenues from tracks between the US border and parts of Canada.
Counsel for a global space industry company in an arbitration concerning the supply and functionality of a satellite.
Counsel for a global energy company in an arbitration against an engineering firm concerning failed oil wells.
Counsel for a multinational entity named in the USD 9 billion Sino-Forest securities fraud class action, and in related regulatory, and global arbitration proceedings.

Practice Areas

• Banking/Finance
• Class Action Plaintiff
• Bankruptcy & Insolvency
• Commercial Law
• Civil Litigation

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1998 (ON)

Professional Details