Overview
Mitch is a partner and the chair of the Pensions and Employment Practice at Torys and the Chancellor of the Ontario Tech University. His law practice focuses on all aspects of pensions, benefits and employment.
Education
MA, 1994
Brock University
ICD.D, 2018
Institute of Corporate Directors
JD (Honoris Causa), 2021
Ryerson University
LLB, 1999
University of Western Ontario
MBA, 2003
Wilfrid Laurier University
BA, Honours, 1993
York University
Bar Admissions
Alberta, 2013 Ontario, 2001
Representative Work
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Recognition
Ryerson University—G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Award (2021)
Chambers Canada—Leading lawyer in pensions and benefits (2016-2022)
The Legal 500 Canada—Leading lawyer in pensions (2018-2021)
Best Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in employee benefits law (2010-2022)
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Leading lawyer in pensions & employee benefits – employer (2012-2021)
Who’s Who Legal—Leading lawyer in labour, employment & benefits (2015-2021)
Recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in Pension and Benefits Law in 2019
Canadian Lawyer—One of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers (2019)
Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University—Honorary Alumni Award (2018)
Chambers Global—Leading lawyer in pensions and benefits (2008-2017)
Expert’s Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Most Frequently Recommended in labour and employment (2018)
Globe Business Media Group’s Client Choice Award in Employment & Benefits for Canada: Ontario (2017)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013)
Which Lawyer?—Leading lawyer in employee benefits and pensions (Ontario) (2011-2012)
University of Western Ontario Law School—Ivan Rand Alumni Award for contribution to the Law School and to the alumni community (2011)
North York General Hospital Foundation—Foundation Chair’s Award for providing exemplary leadership and service to the foundation (2011)
Wilfrid Laurier University—MBA Outstanding Executive Leadership Award (2010)
Precedent Magazine’s Precedent Setter Award—Recognizing excellence and leadership in practice and the community (2010)
Lexpert’s Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40—One of Canada’s leading lawyers under 40 (2006)
Insights
Media
Professional Involvement
Mitch is the founder of the National Institute on Ageing at Ryerson University. He is a former member of the Wilfrid Laurier University Pension Committee; a former chair of The Learning Partnership’s Annual Tribute Dinner; a past president of the University of Western Ontario Law Alumni Association and was a member of the Ontario Government’s post-secondary education advisory committee on first-generation students.
He is a former adjunct professor in pension law at the University of Toronto Law School and Osgoode Hall Law School of York University. Mitch has written and co-written two textbooks on pension law.
Mitch was also a member of the Canadian Association of Supervisory Authorities Fund Holder Arrangements Committee and DC Plans Committee Industry Working Group, and has provided expert testimony before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Finance and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
Directorships
- Ontario Tech University (Chancellor)
- North York General (vice-chair)
- Toronto French School (TFS) (member and former chair)
- Ryerson University (former chair)
- Toronto French School Foundation (former chair)
- North York General Foundation (former chair)
- Ontario Science Centre (former trustee)
Community
In 2021, Mitch was awarded Ryerson’s G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Award, which celebrates individuals who have given their skills and talents in service of Ryerson students and the university, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Ryerson University in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to academia in Canada and the development of Ryerson University.
Memberships and Affiliations
Mitch is the former chair for the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association, the Pension and Benefits Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association, the National Policy Committee and National Conference Committee, and the Association of Canadian Pension Management.