Leonard J. Griffiths

Leonard Griffiths is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in environmental law. Through his broad-based environmental practice, Len assists clients with corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions and financings, environmental management systems and litigation. He represents clients before administrative tribunals and defends clients charged with environmental offenses.

Len counsels clients on matters regarding air, water, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, chemical substances management (import, export and use), product liability, occupational health and safety, and a wide range of other regulatory issues.

He assists clients domestically and internationally to develop and undertake major projects and transactions. He also conducts environmental assessments and compliance audits and has been involved in the decommissioning and remediation of many facilities and properties (brownfields).

Len is past vice-chair of the Environmental Specialist Committee for the Law Society of Upper Canada, past chair of the Environmental sections of the Canadian Bar Association and Ontario Bar Association, and a founder of the Canadian Centre for Environmental Arbitration and Mediation.

Len is the editor and a contributing author of Contaminated Property in Canada and Sustainable Development in Canada: Into the Next Millennium (2000), and is the chief editor of The Environmental Law Journal. He composed a chapter in Directors' Duties in Canada, 4th Edition, published in Canada by CCH Canadian Limited in 2009. Len presents at conferences in Canada and the United States on a variety of environmental, health and safety issues.

Len is a former Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto Law School (Natural Resources and Energy; Sustainability).

He was a founder and director of the Mississauga Wolverines Youth Basketball league.

Select Experience

• The Government of Bermuda, as Chief Legal Advisor, in connection with the redevelopment and 30 year operation of Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport. Read more
• Shell Canada Products, in connection with regulatory, environmental, aboriginal and land matters regarding a proposed refinery project.
• Maple Leaf Heritage Investments Acquisition Corporation, in connection with the debt financing for the acquisition of Hudson's Bay Company for $1.066 billion.

Recent Publications

• Environmental Considerations in Business Transactions
• Directors' Duties in Canada, 6th ed.
• Directors' Duties in Canada, 5th ed.

Recent Recognitions

• 2017, Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders

  recognized as a leader in Environment

• 2017, Chambers Canada

  Ranked Band 1, Canada - Environment
  "the dean of Canadian environmental law", "an extraordinarily gifted professional - I can't say enough good things about him,"

• 2017, Chambers Global

  Ranked Band 1, Canada - Environment

News & Speaking Engagements

• CANECT - Canadian Environmental Conference and Tradeshow
• Four Bennett Jones Practices Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global 2017
• 21 Bennett Jones Infrastructure Lawyers Canadian Leaders