Wise.
Relentless.
Objective.
Fair.
Respected.
Strategic.
Scholarly.
Encyclopedic.
Exhaustively prepared.
Entertaining.
What combination of qualities define today’s leading Mediators and Arbitrators?
Look at the list of characteristics above. Then look at the career that embodies them.
April 1, 2021
Richard Shekter has just earned the coveted Award of Excellence in Insurance Law from the Ontario Bar Association – one of only 27 recipients ever given this distinction. Richard was selected to receive this award by a panel of defence and plaintiff lawyers, as well as members of the judiciary. To be recognized by one’s peers is the highest accolade one can achieve, particularly when added to Richard’s earlier H. Bruce Hillyer Award for outstanding advocacy, from the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.
Richard Shekter brings experience, perspective and scholarship to Mediation and Arbitration.
There’s always a way.
“The relentless pursuit of a resolution, and a foundation in legal scholarship that defined my years as an award-winning litigator, provide the unique set of tools that I bring to my roles as a Mediator and Arbitrator.”
Richard
Richard Shekter distinguished himself as one of the leading trial lawyers in Canada. A law school medalist and former Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of Ontario, he was one of the most seasoned and effective litigators in the country, handling more than 2000 cases over the course of a varied career. A five-time Canadian Lexpert Directory Leading Practitioner. A noted legal scholar. A popular public speaker and educator.
Having worked in almost every area of law: civil, criminal, medical malpractice, estates, professional discipline, products liability, professional negligence, corporate oppression and everything in between – for both plaintiffs and defendants, as prosecutor and defence counsel – Richard Shekter has the legal mind, experience, practical know-how, clarity of communication and an ability to connect with people needed to excel as a Mediator and Arbitrator.
Richard Shekter Mediator and Arbitrator.
Shekter Legal
“There’s always a way.”
“After a failed previous mediation with another mediator, and many years of intransigence of the parties, Richard was able to successfully mediate one of my cases, and was able to bridge the sizeable gap to bring the case to resolution. In addition to his obvious intelligence and grasp of the issues, and his well-earned reputation as one of the foremost litigators around, what impressed me most was his dogged determination - to never give up until a settlement was reached. And he did it all with a smile and a nudge. And on top of it all, he was a real pleasure to deal with. He’s simply a terrifically effective mediator. If there’s a way – he’ll find it.
Diane Klukach LL.B, Klukach Family Law
“I have seen first-hand Richard’s extraordinary ability to bring parties together, with a unique combination of persistence and sensitivity. He has that unique ability to get people not only to agree with his suggestions, which are often innovative, but also in a way that is collaborative rather than unilateral. Everyone involved in the process comes away feeling that a satisfactory resolution was reached. He’s that kind of mediator. You can’t do any better than Richard.”
Dr. Randy Katz Ph.D. (C.Psych), The Clinic, Toronto
“I worked with Richard for well over a decade in my capacity as the former Registrar of the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario. Richard was our general counsel during that time. Much of his job involved mediating disputes and resolving differences of opinion amongst the various College board members, and regulated professionals in relation to a wide variety of challenging issues. He also assisted us in litigation matters which he was invariably able to conclude on a negotiated and mutually acceptable basis. Richard has a unique capacity to bring parties together to resolve disputes. I have no doubt that his considerable talents will continue to make him an effective and respected mediator. I recommend him highly.
Emily Cheung, former Registrar, College of Dental Technologists of Ontario and former Interim Registrar of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Alternative Dispute Resolution
After conducting almost every conceivable form of adversarial litigation, Richard is applying his depth of knowledge to his role as a trusted Mediator and Arbitrator.
The Case ‘Doctor’
Is your firm stuck on a complex high-stakes case? Richard brings decades of litigation experience to firms in search of a winning case strategy.
Speaker/Mentor/Teacher
Richard loves an audience, whether he’s speaking in a courtroom, in a classroom or on one of his speaking engagements. He’s a true performer.