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 has been recognized and has received numerous awards 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 Chairman of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors. He currently sits on the boards of the Halifax International Airport Authority and the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.

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 (I.C.D.) Maritime Chapter

Community Activities

  • Board Member - Halifax International Airport Authority: Chair - Capital Projects Committee
  • Board Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation
  • Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation 2023 Campaign Cabinet
  • Former Board Member - World Wildlife Fund, Canada: Chair, Governance Committee, and Member, Executive Committee (2015-2022)
  • Former Co-Chair - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Capital Campaign (2021)
  • Former Co-Chair - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation 2019 Tribute Dinner
  • Former Member - Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Advisory Council
  • Former Committee Member - Queen's Counsel Advisory Committee
  • Former Chair - Saint Mary's University Board of Governors (2012-2016)
  • Former Vice-Chair - Saint Mary's University Board of Governors (2008-2011)
  • Former Member - Bertha Wilson Honour Society Committee
  • Former Committee Chair - Saint Mary's University: Executive, Presidential Search, President's Performance and Compensation; Advisory to the President on Labour Relations.
  • Former Committee Chair - Saint Mary's University: Finance, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs.
  • Former Member - Saint Mary's University Hearts and Minds Capital Campaign Committee
  • Former Member - Saint Mary’s University - Enactus Advisory Board
  • Former Co-Chair - Annual Meeting, Canadian University Boards Association (CUBA)
  • Former Chair - Rogers Atlantic Radio Business Advisory Board
  • Former Board and Executive Committee Member, Governance Chair, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation (ABC Life Literacy) Toronto; Ontario (2002-2011)
  • Former Vice Chair and Director - Nova Scotia PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy Society
  • Former Liberal Co-Chair - 2000 Federal Election Campaign, Nova Scotia
  • Former President - Kings County Liberal Association
  • Former Secretary - Kings County Barristers' Society
  • Former Vice Chair - Fundraising Committee, Apple Tree Landing Children's Centre (1997)
  • Former Chair - Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy (1995,1996)
  • Former Board Member - King's County Big Brothers/Big Sisters (1987-1992)

Awards & Honours

  • Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa - Saint Mary's University (2017)
  • Bertha Wilson Honour Society (2016)
  • Honourary Gold "M" Saint Mary's University Students Association (2015)
  • Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2012-2023) for Banking and Finance Law
  • Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service (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)