Headshot of John Petrella.
Headshot of John Petrella.
Headshot of John Petrella.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.
Blurry image of a white wall next to an orange wall.  A shelf with small white objects is visible.

John A. M. Petrella

Partner

John has a broad litigation, administrative, and appellate practice, advising on negligence, privacy, employment, and compliance. He works closely with clients, particularly in education and healthcare, to deliver efficient and practical solutions.

Areas of Expertise

  • Negligence

  • Informed Consent

  • Breach of Contract

  • Occupational Health and Safety Prosecutions

  • Employment Law

  • Data Security and Privacy Matters

Education

  • Master of Laws, McGill University (2021)

  • Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2018)

  • Juris Doctor (with Distinction), Western University (2017)

  • Master of Arts (Kinesiology-Sport History), Western University (2014)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours Specialization in Kinesiology), Western University (2013)

Education

  • Master of Laws, McGill University (2021)

  • Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2018)

  • Juris Doctor (with Distinction), Western University (2017)

  • Master of Arts (Kinesiology-Sport History), Western University (2014)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours Specialization in Kinesiology), Western University (2013)

Education

  • Master of Laws, McGill University (2021)

  • Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2018)

  • Juris Doctor (with Distinction), Western University (2017)

  • Master of Arts (Kinesiology-Sport History), Western University (2014)

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours Specialization in Kinesiology), Western University (2013)

Awards and Recognition

  • J.S.D. Tory Writing Award (2017)

  • Sun Light Foundation International Exchange Award (2016)

  • 2016 Gale Cup Second Place Factum (2016)

  • Cohen Highley LLP Award (2015)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Law (2015, 2016)

  • Dean of Law Entrance Scholarship (2014)

  • International Centre for Olympic Studies Graduate Student Essay Competition Winner (2014)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Health Sciences (2011, 2012, 2013)

  • Global Opportunities Award (2012)

Awards and Recognition

  • J.S.D. Tory Writing Award (2017)

  • Sun Light Foundation International Exchange Award (2016)

  • 2016 Gale Cup Second Place Factum (2016)

  • Cohen Highley LLP Award (2015)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Law (2015, 2016)

  • Dean of Law Entrance Scholarship (2014)

  • International Centre for Olympic Studies Graduate Student Essay Competition Winner (2014)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Health Sciences (2011, 2012, 2013)

  • Global Opportunities Award (2012)

Awards and Recognition

  • J.S.D. Tory Writing Award (2017)

  • Sun Light Foundation International Exchange Award (2016)

  • 2016 Gale Cup Second Place Factum (2016)

  • Cohen Highley LLP Award (2015)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Law (2015, 2016)

  • Dean of Law Entrance Scholarship (2014)

  • International Centre for Olympic Studies Graduate Student Essay Competition Winner (2014)

  • Dean’s Honor List, Faculty of Health Sciences (2011, 2012, 2013)

  • Global Opportunities Award (2012)

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • Presenter, “The Living Tree in Hibernation?: Towards a Canadian Constitutional Right to Health Care”, Canadian Law Student Conference

  • “The Representation of Violence: Selected Canadian and American Newspapers’ Coverage of the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, OlympikaThe International Journal of Olympic Studies, 25

  • Presenter, “A Man of Many Hats: Dick Beddoes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics”, 2015 North American Society of Sport History Convention 

  • Presenter, “Black, White, and Red All Over: A Thematic Analysis of Selected Canadian Newspapers and the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, 12th International Symposium for Olympic Research

  • “Defiance to Acceptance: The Canadian Olympic Association and the 1980 Boycott” Journal of Olympic History, 22, no. 3 (2014), 16-23, (2014)

  • (with Dalton Wolfe & Robert Petrella) “The Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammatory Arthritis, and the Potential Role of Exercise on the Burden of Illness: A Scoping Review”, International Journal of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease 1(2): 21-27, (2013)

  • Presenter, “A Thematic Analysis of the Ottawa Citizen and Globe and Mail’s Coverage of the Mexico City Massacre”, 3rd Tri-University Conference: Cross-Pollinating the Field: Pluralistic Approaches to the Study of Sport (March 2013)

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • Presenter, “The Living Tree in Hibernation?: Towards a Canadian Constitutional Right to Health Care”, Canadian Law Student Conference

  • “The Representation of Violence: Selected Canadian and American Newspapers’ Coverage of the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, OlympikaThe International Journal of Olympic Studies, 25

  • Presenter, “A Man of Many Hats: Dick Beddoes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics”, 2015 North American Society of Sport History Convention 

  • Presenter, “Black, White, and Red All Over: A Thematic Analysis of Selected Canadian Newspapers and the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, 12th International Symposium for Olympic Research

  • “Defiance to Acceptance: The Canadian Olympic Association and the 1980 Boycott” Journal of Olympic History, 22, no. 3 (2014), 16-23, (2014)

  • (with Dalton Wolfe & Robert Petrella) “The Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammatory Arthritis, and the Potential Role of Exercise on the Burden of Illness: A Scoping Review”, International Journal of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease 1(2): 21-27, (2013)

  • Presenter, “A Thematic Analysis of the Ottawa Citizen and Globe and Mail’s Coverage of the Mexico City Massacre”, 3rd Tri-University Conference: Cross-Pollinating the Field: Pluralistic Approaches to the Study of Sport (March 2013)

Selected Presentations and Publications

  • Presenter, “The Living Tree in Hibernation?: Towards a Canadian Constitutional Right to Health Care”, Canadian Law Student Conference

  • “The Representation of Violence: Selected Canadian and American Newspapers’ Coverage of the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, OlympikaThe International Journal of Olympic Studies, 25

  • Presenter, “A Man of Many Hats: Dick Beddoes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics”, 2015 North American Society of Sport History Convention 

  • Presenter, “Black, White, and Red All Over: A Thematic Analysis of Selected Canadian Newspapers and the 1968 Mexico City Massacre”, 12th International Symposium for Olympic Research

  • “Defiance to Acceptance: The Canadian Olympic Association and the 1980 Boycott” Journal of Olympic History, 22, no. 3 (2014), 16-23, (2014)

  • (with Dalton Wolfe & Robert Petrella) “The Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammatory Arthritis, and the Potential Role of Exercise on the Burden of Illness: A Scoping Review”, International Journal of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease 1(2): 21-27, (2013)

  • Presenter, “A Thematic Analysis of the Ottawa Citizen and Globe and Mail’s Coverage of the Mexico City Massacre”, 3rd Tri-University Conference: Cross-Pollinating the Field: Pluralistic Approaches to the Study of Sport (March 2013)

Noteworthy Cases

  • Successfully dismissing an action due to the expiry of the applicable limitation period and successfully confirming at the Court of Appeal that the Limitations Act does not distinguish between meritorious and non-meritorious claims.

  • Successfully defending a neurosurgeon at trial relating to post-surgical monitoring and treatment.

  • Successfully setting aside an Order of a Judge of the Divisional Court.

  • Successfully appealing an administrative tribunal’s decision regarding its jurisdiction and its contractual interpretation.

Noteworthy Cases

  • Successfully dismissing an action due to the expiry of the applicable limitation period and successfully confirming at the Court of Appeal that the Limitations Act does not distinguish between meritorious and non-meritorious claims.

  • Successfully defending a neurosurgeon at trial relating to post-surgical monitoring and treatment.

  • Successfully setting aside an Order of a Judge of the Divisional Court.

  • Successfully appealing an administrative tribunal’s decision regarding its jurisdiction and its contractual interpretation.

Noteworthy Cases

  • Successfully dismissing an action due to the expiry of the applicable limitation period and successfully confirming at the Court of Appeal that the Limitations Act does not distinguish between meritorious and non-meritorious claims.

  • Successfully defending a neurosurgeon at trial relating to post-surgical monitoring and treatment.

  • Successfully setting aside an Order of a Judge of the Divisional Court.

  • Successfully appealing an administrative tribunal’s decision regarding its jurisdiction and its contractual interpretation.

Memberships

  • Middlesex Law Association

  • The Advocates' Society

Memberships

  • Middlesex Law Association

  • The Advocates' Society

Memberships

  • Middlesex Law Association

  • The Advocates' Society

Resolute Advocacy and Creative Solutions

John Petrella is a partner in Lerners London office and a member of the firm’s Appeals, Dispute Resolution and Advocacy, Education Law, and Health Law groups. His experience in civil litigation encompasses negligence, informed consent, breach of contract, Occupational Health and Safety prosecutions, employment law, data security and privacy matters. He works collaboratively with institutions, including educational institutions, to develop strategies and best practices that minimize risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

John also has a diverse administrative law practice and has appeared before a number of administrative tribunals on issues relating to standard of review and procedural fairness.

Finally, John’s appeal practice has included successfully representing clients with respect to limitations issues, intervenor status, contractual interpretation, administrative law procedural fairness, and the scope of tribunal jurisdiction. Colleagues and clients would describe him as conscientious, organized, collaborative, and focused on efficiently achieving his clients’ goals.

“My clients can expect resolute advocacy and creative solutions delivered by an exceptionally responsive and well-organized individual. My transparent and forthright approach ensures my clients know precisely where things stand, what the next steps are, and anticipated timelines,” he says.

John’s background in the study of kinesiology gives him unique perspective into many of the issues healthcare professionals face, while his research experience gained during two master's degrees is an important asset to assisting clients in the education sector.

John Petrella is a partner in Lerners London office and a member of the firm’s Appeals, Dispute Resolution and Advocacy, Education Law, and Health Law groups. His experience in civil litigation encompasses negligence, informed consent, breach of contract, Occupational Health and Safety prosecutions, employment law, data security and privacy matters. He works collaboratively with institutions, including educational institutions, to develop strategies and best practices that minimize risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

John also has a diverse administrative law practice and has appeared before a number of administrative tribunals on issues relating to standard of review and procedural fairness.

Finally, John’s appeal practice has included successfully representing clients with respect to limitations issues, intervenor status, contractual interpretation, administrative law procedural fairness, and the scope of tribunal jurisdiction. Colleagues and clients would describe him as conscientious, organized, collaborative, and focused on efficiently achieving his clients’ goals.

“My clients can expect resolute advocacy and creative solutions delivered by an exceptionally responsive and well-organized individual. My transparent and forthright approach ensures my clients know precisely where things stand, what the next steps are, and anticipated timelines,” he says.

John’s background in the study of kinesiology gives him unique perspective into many of the issues healthcare professionals face, while his research experience gained during two master's degrees is an important asset to assisting clients in the education sector.

John Petrella is a partner in Lerners London office and a member of the firm’s Appeals, Dispute Resolution and Advocacy, Education Law, and Health Law groups. His experience in civil litigation encompasses negligence, informed consent, breach of contract, Occupational Health and Safety prosecutions, employment law, data security and privacy matters. He works collaboratively with institutions, including educational institutions, to develop strategies and best practices that minimize risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

John also has a diverse administrative law practice and has appeared before a number of administrative tribunals on issues relating to standard of review and procedural fairness.

Finally, John’s appeal practice has included successfully representing clients with respect to limitations issues, intervenor status, contractual interpretation, administrative law procedural fairness, and the scope of tribunal jurisdiction. Colleagues and clients would describe him as conscientious, organized, collaborative, and focused on efficiently achieving his clients’ goals.

“My clients can expect resolute advocacy and creative solutions delivered by an exceptionally responsive and well-organized individual. My transparent and forthright approach ensures my clients know precisely where things stand, what the next steps are, and anticipated timelines,” he says.

John’s background in the study of kinesiology gives him unique perspective into many of the issues healthcare professionals face, while his research experience gained during two master's degrees is an important asset to assisting clients in the education sector.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.

Reach Out

Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.