Peter Downard is a senior litigation partner with a distinguished profile in defamation and reputation risk management. He advises and represents prominent individuals, corporations and organizations in defamation matters, public communications, and strategic reputation management issues. His practice includes high-stakes advisory work, trial advocacy, and appellate litigation, including appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Peter is the author of The Law of Libel in Canada, a leading legal text cited in numerous court decisions, and the volume on Defamation in Halsbury’s Laws of Canada. Legal teams and corporate boards often turn to him for guidance in navigating reputational crises, strategic communications, and litigation involving public interest issues and media exposure.
He served on the Attorney General of Ontario’s Advisory Panel on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP), contributing to the development of the Ontario Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA). The PPPA has shaped litigation strategy in Ontario and in British Columbia, which has substantially adopted the PPPA.
Peter is consistently recognized by Lexpert, Best Lawyers in Canada, and Benchmark Canada as top-tier litigation counsel.
