David helps clients secure practical results at every stage of a dispute. In each case he identifies his client’s objectives; develops creative strategies; and implements those strategies with rigor and resolve.
David works on consequential and complex class actions; commercial disputes; and disputes with governmental bodies. He applies his expertise in persuasive writing and navigating court procedures to a range of legal areas including securities, shareholder rights, contracts, taxation, competition, crown liability, land use, expropriation, and judicial review of government decisions. He has argued before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and spoken at an administrative law conference, a topic he writes on frequently.
Before joining Osler, David clerked for one of Canada’s most influential appellate judges where he learned much about advocacy and the workings of Courts. David started getting practical experience early in his career by representing Pro Bono clients while in law school. A former Varsity Rugby player, David uses the same values of competition, collegiality, and teamwork to advance his clients’ interests.
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Nov 13, 2024
Supreme Court clarifies standard of review for challenges to subordinate legislation
The Court held that the same flexible standard of review for administrative decisions applies to challenges to regulations.
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Osler Update Sep 29, 2023
Proposal to change development charge exemptions for affordable housing
Bill 124 provides a proposed definition which focusses on the ability of households to pay, as opposed to only looking at what the market is asking.
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Osler Update Dec 21, 2022
Have the Katz been let out of the bag? Uncertainty about the standard of review for challenges to regulations
Canadian courts have been split on the appropriate standard of review for challenges to regulations, applying the flexible “reasonableness” or...
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Osler Update Nov 15, 2021
Supreme Court of Canada revisits the law of government liability in negligence
Last month, the Supreme Court of Canada held that a municipality could be sued for negligent snow-clearing.
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Awards and Recognition
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BISC Certificate in International Law, Queen’s University Faculty of Law (2017)
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William – McDougall Memorial Award for Student Caseworkers, Queen’s Legal Aid Clinic (2017)
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Law Clerk to the Hon. Justice David Stratas, Federal Court of Appeal (2020-2021)
Media Mentions
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Osler News Mar 6, 2024
Pro Bono Ontario’s 2023 ‘Honour Roll’ includes 13 Osler lawyers
Pro Bono Ontario named 13 Osler lawyers to its second annual Honour Roll.
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Community Involvement
- Student Caseworker, Queen’s Legal Aid Clinic (2016-2018)
Speaking and Writing
Published Work
- The Bullet-Proof Administrative Decision-Maker: Maximizing the Chances of Surviving a Judicial Review, by Hon. David Stratas and David Williams (SSRN, 2020)
- Time for Parliament to Speak Up: Environmental Regulatory Orders in the Wake of Redwater, by Jennifer Fairfax, Patrick Welsh, Melanie Gaston, David Williams, and Marleigh Dick (Toronto: Carswell, 2019)
Credentials
Education
- Queen’s University, J.D. (2019)
- Queen’s University, B.Sc. (Hons)
Languages
- English
