Jacob R. W. Damstra

Publications

• Editor and Co-Author, “Written Advocacy Handbook”, Lerners Appellate Advocacy Practice Group (April 2025)

• Co-Author, “A Call for Causation Coherence: Back to Basics in the “But For” Test,” The Advocates’ Quarterly (June 2024)

• Co-Author, “Mentorship: The Advocate’s Duty,” The Advocates’ Journal (Summer 2023)

• Author, "Reconsidering Written Replies in Appellate Advocacy," Law360 Canada, (June 2023)

• Co-Author, “Revisiting Class Counsel Fee Approvals - Towards Presumptive Validity of Contingency Fee Agreements,” Canadian Class Action Review 17, 1 (2021)

  • Cited with approval in eight Superior Court decisions (Quebec)

• Co-Author, “Appeal-Proofing Your Trial: Protecting Against (or Positioning for) the Appeal,” The Advocates’ Quarterly 51, 502 (2021)

• Author, “Case Comment: Becker v Toronto: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” The Middlesex Law Association Snail (November 2020)

• Author, “Fatiguing Facta: A Cautionary Tale,” The Middlesex Law Association Snail (Oct 2020)

• Author, “Advocating in the (post-)COVID Courtroom,” Western Law Alumni Magazine (Summer 2020)

• Author, “Advice on winning your first virtual appeal,” The Lawyer’s Daily (April 20, 2020)

• Author, “Welcoming the Age of E-advocacy,” The Lawyers’ Daily (April 17, 2020)

• Author, “How Municipalities Ought Not to Trample Citizens’ Freedom of Expression,” Public Sector Digest (November 2017)

• Co-author, “Limitation Periods in No Fault Insurance Claims,” The Middlesex Law Association Snail (February 2020)

• Author, "Becoming an Effective Advocate: Reflections from RSJ Thomas," The Middlesex Law Association Snail, and The Advocates' Society Keeping Tabs (June 2018)

• Co-author, "Update on Personal Injury Law," The Advocates' Society Fall Convention (2017)

• Author “Reinforcing the Primacy of Privilege: Lizotte v. Aviva Insurance Company of Canada and Alberta (Information and Privacy Commissioner) v. University of Calgary,” Paper delivered at the 12th Annual Straight from the Bench Civil Litigation Conference, Middlesex Law Association, London, ON (June 8, 2017)

• Author, “Heroic or Hypocritical: Corporate Social Responsibility, Aboriginal Consultation, and Canada’s Extractive Industries Strategy,” Journal of Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems 25 1 (2016)

• Author, “20 Years Lost - Time for Change in Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights,” Journal of Environmental Law and Practice 27, 1 (2015)

• Author, “Foreign Classes Bringing Canadian Actions: Lessons Learned from the Case against Anvil Mining Limited,” Canadian Class Action Review 9, 2 (2014)

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

• Keynote Speaker, “Effective Oral Advocacy,” Western Law, Annual First Year Advocacy Lecture (Annual)

• Presenter, “Land Use Planning Workshop”, Municipality of Thames Centre (April 2025)

• Keynote Speaker, “Exploring Environmental Law and Land Use Policy,” Nature in the City (February 2025)

• Conference Chair & Speaker “Wellness Summit for Legal Professionals,” Middlesex Law Association (January 2025)

• Panelist, “Not Your Mentor’s Court of Appeal,” Toronto Lawyers Association Webinar (May 2024)

• Participant, Environmental Lawyers Forum, 2nd Generation, Cambridge Forums, (October 2023)

• Panelist, “Plenary Discussion - Medical Malpractice Law: Significant Legal Developments,” 11th Provincial Counsel Conference, Canadian Medical Protective Association (June 2023)

• Panelist, “Ethical Issues in Commercial Litigation - Panel Discussion,” Law Society of Ontario (December 9, 2022)

• Presenter, “Urban Agriculture: Revitalizing Underused Land and Municipal Planning Law and Policy,” 6th Annual Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy Conference (November 3-5, 2022)

• Presenter, “The Environment and the Constitution,” London Law Institute, Ontario Justice Education Network (November 4, 2022)

• Panelist, “Lessons in Leadership and Resilience - Panel Discussion,” Lerners LLP (June 28, 2022)

• Guest, "The Legalities of a Naturalized Lawn," CBC London Morning (June 2022)

• Panelist, “Appellate Advocacy Panel with Justice Benjamin Zarnett,” 16th Annual Straight from the Bench Conference, Middlesex Law Association (November 1-2, 2021)

• Presenter, “Appeal Proofing your Trial: Protecting Against and Positioning for an Appeal,” 12 Minute Civil Litigator, Law Society of Ontario (September 28, 2021)

• Co-Presenter, “Writing Winning Arguments,” Canadian Bar Association Skilled Lawyer Series (May 18, 2021)

• Moderator, “Virtual Advocacy Panel - View from the Bench” Canadian Lawyer (April 29, 2021)

• Co-Presenter, “Appeal Proofing your Trial: Protecting Against and Positioning for an Appeal,” Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Annual Conference (October 24, 2020)

• Moderator, “Virtual Advocacy Panel - Best Practices for Navigating the Courts in the Post COVID Era,” Canadian Lawyer (May 21, 2020)

• Presenter, “Reinforcing the Primacy of Privilege,” 12th Annual Straight from the Bench Conference, Middlesex Law Association (June 8, 2017)

• Presenter, "Mission Analysis for Legal Research," Ontario Bar Association Program Expert Advice on Launching Your Legal Career: I Have My Law Degree, Now What? London, ON (September 7, 2017)

• Speaker, “Contemplations on Entering the Profession of Law,” 2016 Fall Opening of the Courts Ceremony, London, ON, Speaker on behalf of 2016 Calls to the Bar on the Rule of Law and the Legal Profession