Global Freedom of Expression

Paul Schabas

In April 2019 Paul Schabas accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Prior to his appointment, Paul Schabas was a senior litigation partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto. He is widely recognized as one of Canada’s pre-eminent trial and appellate counsel. He has represented clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitrations, and criminal, competition, tax and regulatory matters, including professional regulation. Over the past 25 years, Paul has developed a reputation as one of Canada’s leading media and constitutional lawyers, arguing many cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. He is regularly sought after for strategic advice involving sensitive reputational issues and has significant experience as a mediator and adjudicator. Paul is also a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

From 2016  to 2018, Paul was the elected treasurer (president) of the Law Society of Ontario, the governing body for Ontario’s 50,000 lawyers. He is the second Blakes partner to have held the position, the first being the Firm’s founder, Edward Blake. Prior to being elected treasurer, Paul served as a bencher (director) of the Law Society for nine years.

Paul is a past-chair of the Law Foundation of Ontario and a past-president of the Canadian Media Lawyers Association and Pro Bono Law Ontario. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, sits on numerous boards, and writes and speaks frequently on media, constitutional and other legal issues, in Canada and abroad.