An approachable, plain speaking, collaborative lawyer of experience, practical foresight, and unwavering commitment.

Before forming Eighty-One West, Nick practiced for nine years at one of Canada’s leading securities class action firms where he developed and led their institutional investor engagement and built extensive experience in complex claims for the private enforcement of securities law violations. He has appeared as counsel in a number of high-profile class actions and is recognized and sought after for his claims analysis and engagement on complex legal and factual issues. He has substantial experience working in large counsel teams and with experts, and he is also known within the profession and institutional investor community for his broad market sector knowledge.   

His background segues into environmental and social governance (ESG) issues, human rights, and transnational public law. He was a key member of the national counsel team in Araya v. Nevsun, a mass tort case in which he represented refugees in thirteen countries. The case included complex issues including the act of state doctrine and its role in Canadian law, the adoption into Canadian law of customary international law, and conflicts of law, among others. The Nevsun case has been recognized as a case of global importance in the fight against modern slavery and was included in the Lexpert Top 10 Cases of 2019-2020.

Nick comfortably walks in different worlds and brings that skill to bear in his practice. He has represented clients globally, from a prominent Australian farming family and sand mine to Cayman Islands hedge funds to Eritrean refugees and First Nations peoples. He has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada, the British Columbia Court of Appeal and the superior courts of Ontario, British Columbia, and Queensland, Australia. He is honored and grateful to have been mentored by celebrated senior counsel in both countries. 

Nick is recommended by clients and leading plaintiff and defence counsel alike, as an approachable, plain speaking, collaborative lawyer of hard-knocks experience, practical foresight, and unwavering commitment.

Nick grew up on the beaches of Queensland, Australia. He loves his family and physical work around their property. He prioritizes a work-life balance that still includes a surf, anywhere, anytime, because that is who he is too.

QUALIFICATIONS

2003: B. Bus (Int’l), USC, Australia

2008: J.D., Bond, Gold Coast, Australia

2009: Admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland

2011: Called to the Ontario Bar

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Law Society of Ontario (Licensee)

• Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (Elected Member)