At its Convocation meeting this morning, the Law Society of Ontario presented a degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LLD) to Elliot Lake lawyer and resident R. Douglas Elliott, a leading expert in public law, class actions and Charter litigation.
The Law Society awards honorary doctorates each year to distinguished individuals in recognition of their achievements in the legal profession, the rule of law or the cause of justice.
“I am honoured to be able to confirm the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa upon R. Douglas Elliott, for his leadership in public law, class actions and Charter litigation,” said Teresa Donnelly, Treasurer, Law Society of Ontario. “Mr. Elliott has spent much of his career successfully fighting for minority rights. His dedication and passion have delivered access to justice for many Canadians. His advocacy does not stop at legal work – he is a dedicated and engaged community activist.”
Mr. Elliott received his B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1979, his LL.B. from the University of Toronto in 1982 and was called to the Bar in 1984. The Law Society certified him as a Specialist in Civil Litigation in 2003 and awarded him the Law Society Medal in 2010.
Mr. Elliott is well known for his work on landmark constitutional cases such as same-sex marriage and is also a leader in the field of class actions. He has been counsel in class actions involving some of the largest recoveries against the Crown in Canada.
He won the largest Canadian class action trial judgment (at the time) valued at $50 million in an action brought by a group of gay and lesbian Canadians seeking CPP survivor’s pensions against the federal government in Hislop v Canada. He played a key role in the national hepatitis C team that secured a $1.5 billion settlement from the federal and provincial governments in Parsons v. Canada.
He is a partner in Cambridge LLP in Toronto. His practice encompasses a wide range of complex business litigation including cross-border litigation, alternative dispute resolution, estates and trusts law.
He is active in the legal community and his local community. Mr. Elliott’s roles currently include:
- Chair, Just Society Committee, Egale Canada Human Rights Trust
- Vice-Chair (Policy), American Bar Association Section of International Law, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Networks (GIN)
- Vice-President, Northern Ontario Pride Network
- Vice-President, Elliot Lake Pride
- Director, LGBT Purge Fund
- Member, Honorary Advisory Board, Egale Human Rights Trust
- Director, H & M COFI (community-based Northern Ontario internet project)
- Director, Holy Trinity United Church Board of Trustees