Richard B. Swan
Partner • Co-Head of Commercial Litigation Practice

Outline
Overview
,,Sources note that Richard Swan is "well known as one of the very smartest litigation lawyers on Bay Street," adding that "his approach to practising law is stellar" and he "is respected by opposing counsel," which helps with "deflecting the nonsense in a case and getting to a preferred resolution earlier and more efficiently." He […] maintains a broad caseload.,,
Client Work
Former directors of Sears Canada Inc., in defence of multiple actions arising from the Board's approval of a $509-million dividend in 2013 and Sears' ultimate insolvency filing in 2017.
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., in the sale of Movie Distribution Income Fund's 49 percent indirect interest in Motion Picture Distribution LP.
Recognitions & Awards
Chambers Canada
Litigation: General Commercial - Ontario
Chambers Global
Dispute Resolution: Litigation
Benchmark Litigation: Canada
Recognized as a Litigation Star
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers
Legal 500 Canada
Dispute resolution: Ontario
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Litigation - Corporate Commercial; Litigation - Directors' & Officers' Liability; Litigation - Securities
Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Ranked, Litigation - Corporate Commercial
Related Services
Education & Bar Admissions
Education
- University of Manitoba, BA, 1985, with distinction
- McGill University, LLB/BCL, 1989, with honours
Bar Admissions
- Ontario, 1991
Insights
Blog
Upending the Ground Rules: Proposed Major Overhaul of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure
May 8, 2025Richard B. Swan & Shaan P. Tolani
Blog
Force Majeure Clauses and COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts—An Assessment of Ontario Judgments Three Years On
March 24, 2023Richard B. Swan & Preet K. Gill
Article
Richard Swan and Gannon Beaulne in Canadian Mining Journal
June 24, 2020Richard B. Swan & Gannon Beaulne
News, Events & Speaking Engagements
Announcement
Bennett Jones Litigation Team Earns Widespread Recognition in Benchmark Canada 2026
April 29, 2026 & 33 more
Announcement
Bennett Jones Ranked Among Canada's Leading Firms in the Legal 500
December 2, 2025 & 53 more











