Jacob R. W. Damstra

Specialty Risk and Insurance Lawyer

Phone:

519.640.6333

Fax:

519.932.3333

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Professional History

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

Achievements

Memberships

Education

Professional History

Partner (2022 to Present)
Associate Lawyer, Lerners LLP (2016 to 2021)
Member, Civil Rules Review Working Group (Ontario) (2024 to 2026)
(Professional) – Lecturer/Faculty Advisor, Western Law, Appellate Advocacy – Wilson Moot Team (Charter Issues) & Winkler Moot Team (Class Actions)
Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Appeal for Ontario (2015 to 2016)
Summer Student, Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP (2014)
Legal Officer, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Central Region), Canadian Armed Forces (2023 to Present)
Armoured Reconnaissance Officer, 1st Hussars (London), Canadian Armed Forces (2011 to 2023)
Member, Ontario Justice Education Network, Southwest Regional Committee (2018 to Present)
Director, Board of Directors, Changing Ways (2017 to 2021)
Director, Board of Directors, Urban Roots London (2017 to 2023)

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

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
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, 7 September 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

Achievements

Canadian Forces Decoration (“CD”) for 12 years of Honourable Military Service, Canadian Armed Forces (2024)
Best Lawyers in Canada, Ones to Watch, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Insurance Law Medical Negligence
Business London Top Twenty in their 20s Award (2018)
Recipient, Canada 150 Medal, Parliament of Canada (2017)
Trandafir Writing Competition Prize in Transnational Law (2015)
1st Place Written Arguments & Top Oralist Prize, Jessup International Law Moot (2014)
Harvey T. Strosberg Essay Prize in Canadian Class Actions (2013)
Winner, Lenczner Slaght Legal Ethics Advocacy Competition (2013)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2012)
UWO Gold Medal, Honours Specialization in International Relations (2012)

Memberships

The Advocates’ Society
Middlesex Law Association
Canadian Bar Association
Ontario Bar Association

Education

Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2016)
Juris Doctor, Western University Faculty of Law (2015) - Graduate with Distinction
Master of Arts (History), Western University, Department of History (2015)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Western University, Faculty of Social Science (2012) – Gold Medalist
The Advocates’ Society Alternative Dispute Resolution Skills Certificate (2022)
The Advocates’ Society Civil Litigation Skills Certificate (2018)
Intensive Negotiation Training Certificate, Dispute Resolution Centre, Western University (2015)
Global and Intercultural Engagement Certificate, Western University (2015)
Group Leadership Certificate, Leadership and Mentorship Program, Western University (2012)

Professional History

Partner (2022 to Present)
Associate Lawyer, Lerners LLP (2016 to 2021)
Member, Civil Rules Review Working Group (Ontario) (2024 to 2026)
(Professional) – Lecturer/Faculty Advisor, Western Law, Appellate Advocacy – Wilson Moot Team (Charter Issues) & Winkler Moot Team (Class Actions)
Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Appeal for Ontario (2015 to 2016)
Summer Student, Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP (2014)
Legal Officer, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Central Region), Canadian Armed Forces (2023 to Present)
Armoured Reconnaissance Officer, 1st Hussars (London), Canadian Armed Forces (2011 to 2023)
Member, Ontario Justice Education Network, Southwest Regional Committee (2018 to Present)
Director, Board of Directors, Changing Ways (2017 to 2021)
Director, Board of Directors, Urban Roots London (2017 to 2023)

Professional History

Partner (2022 to Present)
Associate Lawyer, Lerners LLP (2016 to 2021)
Member, Civil Rules Review Working Group (Ontario) (2024 to 2026)
(Professional) – Lecturer/Faculty Advisor, Western Law, Appellate Advocacy – Wilson Moot Team (Charter Issues) & Winkler Moot Team (Class Actions)
Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Appeal for Ontario (2015 to 2016)
Summer Student, Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP (2014)
Legal Officer, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Central Region), Canadian Armed Forces (2023 to Present)
Armoured Reconnaissance Officer, 1st Hussars (London), Canadian Armed Forces (2011 to 2023)
Member, Ontario Justice Education Network, Southwest Regional Committee (2018 to Present)
Director, Board of Directors, Changing Ways (2017 to 2021)
Director, Board of Directors, Urban Roots London (2017 to 2023)