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Fast Facts
Called to the Bar:
Ontario - 1971
Law School:
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University - 1969
Undergraduate:
University of Toronto - Bachelor of Arts Degree - 1966
Areas of Practice:
Education and Public Law
Litigation
Constitutional Law
Human Rights
Labour and Employment Law
Municipal and Planning Law
Real Estate Law
Construction Law
General Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Memberships:
Founding member and Past President of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law and Education (CAPSLE)
Founding member of the Education Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association Ontario
Founding Director and Past President of St. Andrew's Ratepayers' Association
Canadian Bar Association
Metropolitan Toronto Lawyers' Association
The Advocates' Society
Medico-Legal Society
International Bar Association
Education Law Association
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In addition to his unmistakable presence, and his remarkable advocacy in the courtroom, John Bell is blessed with a sensitive side. Perhaps this accounts for his natural ability to handle the most delicate of matters in the Education Law context.
One could say that John is as close as you can be to being an educator, while still being a lawyer. This may very well be related to the fact that his wife (and formerly his high school sweet-heart) has had an extensive career as a teacher and the fact that John has successfully helped to raise three children of his own. It is without a doubt that John's "educator-like" tendencies contribute to his unique and insightful approach to the Education Law area.
John is a senior member of Shibley Righton and for over 30 years John has acted for both public institutions and private individuals and corporations. Given his many years of legal experience, coupled with his long and extensive experience in the Education Law field, John offers a rare in-depth knowledge of the education world shared by few but remarked by all. In fact, John is recognized as one of the pre-eminent lawyers in the province practising in this area.
As one of John's clients, you always know that you are "in good hands" with John Bell. John spares nothing to provide to his clients the best representation possible - always mindful of the most efficient and effective means to resolve the particular situation.
John has been retained by numerous school boards in Ontario and other educational institutions to provide general advice and litigation experience. He has been involved in policy making for these organizations, as well as representing them in various legal proceedings ranging from politically charged teacher discipline cases involving sexual abuse to defending school board liability cases to representing principals on student discipline matters before a Committee of Trustees. John has also been counsel in leading cases involving special education and successfully defended school boards in numerous human rights complaints.
John has acted for various other public sector organizations, including Counsel to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Counsel to the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on the Ombudsman. In addition , John has years of experience in the areas of Municipal and Planning Law, Real Estate Law, Construction Law and General Corporation and Commercial Litigation. John has represented clients in litigation matters in all levels of Courts in Ontario, the Federal Courts of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada and has practiced before most major administrative tribunals in Ontario.
In addition to his client-based practice, John has been heavily involved in professional development. John taught the seminar on the Legal Liability of Educators at the Principal's Course at York University for several years and has been involved in many professional associations, including as a founding member of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law and Education (CAPSLE) and the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) - Education Law Section.
John has spoken and written articles for countless seminars and conferences for many organizations, including the Ontario Public School Boards' Associations, CAPSLE, the CBA, and the National Organization on Legal Problems in Education.
Publications:
"THE SAFE SCHOOLS ACT, ONE YEAR LATER LESSONS LEARNED", Presented by John P. Bell and Jennifer E. Trépanier at the 2002 Conference for the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of the Law in Education, St. Andrew by the Sea click here to read article in PDF format
"The Safe Schools Act of Ontario:A lesson for the rest of the country: How not to do it"
click here to read article in PDF format
John may be reached at:
T: 416.214.5212
F: 416.214.5415
E: john.bell@shibleyrighton.com
Links to practice areas by
John Bell
Civil Litigation Group
Labour and Employment Group
Education and Public Law Group
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