About John

John is a Partner practicing in the areas of Loan and Mortgage Enforcement and Real Estate. He is a past member of the firm’s Executive Committee and is the Creditor Practice Team Lead.

John was appointed King’s Counsel (formally Queen’s Counsel) in 2008 and has been included in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2012. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2014 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service. In 2016, he was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society.

John is currently Board Chair of the Halifax International Airport Authority. He serves on the Board of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation and is Chair of the Foundation’s Strategic Growth Council.

John has received numerous awards and has been recognized for his involvement in a number of community organizations. He is a past member of the World Wildlife Fund Canada Board of Directors and is a former Chair of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors.

John's Background

Education

  • 1984: LL.B., Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1981: Bachelor of Arts, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Employment

  • 2003 - Present: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • 2000 - 2003: Partner, Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 1998 – 2000: Chair, Canada Pension Review Tribunal
  • 1991 - 2000: Partner, Waterbury Newton, Kentville, Nova Scotia
  • 1985 - 1991: Associate, Waterbury Newton, Kentville, Nova Scotia

Professional Memberships

  • Member - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
  • Member - Canadian Bar Association
  • Member - Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Maritime Chapter

Community Activities

  • Current:
  • Board Chair - Halifax International Airport Authority (2023)
  • Board Member - Halifax International Airport Authority (2014)
  • Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Campaign Cabinet - (2015)
  • Co-Chair - Strategic Growth Council - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2025)
  • Board Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2021)
  • Former:
  • Member - Lead on Campaign Cabinet, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2022)
  • Co-Chair - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Above & Beyond Capital Campaign (2019 -2022)
  • Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Advisory Council (2018)
  • Board Member - World Wildlife Fund, Canada: Chair, Governance Committee, and Member, Executive Committee (2014 - 2022)
  • Chair - WWF Canada Atlantic Council (2012 - 2016)
  • Committee Member - Queen's Counsel Advisory Committee (2016 - 2018)
  • Member - Bertha Wilson Honour Society Selection Committee (2017)
  • Board Member - Saint Mary's University Board of Governors (1995 - 2016) and Board Chair and Vice-Chair (2008-2016)
  • Saint Mary's University Committee Chair of: Executive, Presidential Search, President's Performance and Compensation, Advisory to the President on Labour Relations, Finance, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs.
  • Member - Saint Mary's University Hearts and Minds Capital Campaign Cabinet (2008 - 2011)
  • Member - Saint Mary’s University - Enactus Student Advisory Board (2012)
  • Co-Chair - Annual Meeting, Canadian University Boards Association (CUBA) (2016)
  • Chair - Rogers Atlantic Radio Business Advisory Board (2004 - 2006)
  • Board and Executive Committee Member, Governance Chair, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation (ABC Life Literacy) Toronto; Ontario (2002 - 2011)
  • Co-Chair - Federal Election Campaign, Nova Scotia (2000)
  • President - Kings North Riding Association (1991 - 1993)
  • Secretary - Kings County Barristers' Society (1999 - 2000)
  • Vice-Chair and Director - Nova Scotia PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy Society (1999 – 2005)
  • Chair - Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy (1995 - 1996)
  • Board Member - King's County Big Brothers/Big Sisters (1987 - 1992)

Awards & Honours

  • Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2012 - 2026)
  • King Charles III Coronation Medal Recipient (2024)
  • Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa - Saint Mary's University (2017)
  • Bertha Wilson Honour Society (2016)
  • Honorary Gold "M" Saint Mary's University Students’ Association (2015)
  • Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service - Dalhousie Alumni Association (2014)
  • Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
  • King's Counsel, formally Queen's Counsel (2008)
  • Canadian Bar Association Community Service Award (2005)
  • Peter Gzowski Award (1995)
  • Canada 125 Medal (1992)