Douglas F. Harrison

Douglas F. Harrison: Leading Commercial Arbitrator and Mediator in Toronto

Douglas F. Harrison is a highly respected and experienced commercial arbitrator and mediator, providing expert legal counsel across a wide range of industries. With over 30 years of dedicated experience, Mr. Harrison consistently delivers effective and strategic solutions to complex business disputes, both domestically and internationally. He’s recognized as a leading figure in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and a trusted partner for businesses navigating challenging legal situations.

Mr. Harrison’s career began as a sports journalist in Toronto and Paris, honing his analytical skills and ability to synthesize information – qualities he now expertly applies to his ADR practice. He transitioned to a successful corporate-commercial litigation and arbitration practice at Stikeman Elliott LLP, where he handled high-value matters encompassing breach of contract, competition law, insolvency, supplier-procurement disputes, restructuring, and class actions. His deep understanding of industries including aerospace, finance, food processing, logistics, manufacturing, media, natural resources, and pharmaceuticals, coupled with his expertise in environmental law, product liability, defamation, professional liability, and directors and officers insurance, makes him a uniquely versatile legal resource.

Recognized as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals (Global Panel, Product Liability Panel and Pro Bono Panel), Mr. Harrison’s credentials reflect a commitment to the highest standards of arbitration and mediation. He’s actively involved in shaping the future of ADR through his leadership positions with the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society, the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, CanArbWeek, and the University Tribunal of the University of Toronto. His participation in the International Mediation Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law demonstrates his dedication to promoting effective dispute resolution strategies globally.

His extensive arbitration experience includes presiding, co-arbitrating, and acting as a sole arbitrator in ad hoc and ICDR Canada and Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Rules arbitrations. He's a key figure in the Canadian legal community, regularly contributing to industry events and publications. He is consistently recognized for his expertise, having been listed in Best Lawyers in Canada for international arbitration, corporate and commercial litigation, class actions and product liability law and is also recognized internationally by Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides as an expert in global product liability law and litigation.

Key Features of Mr. Harrison's Practice:

• Expertise in Complex Commercial Disputes: Mr. Harrison possesses a comprehensive understanding of intricate business disputes across diverse sectors, allowing him to provide targeted and effective strategies.
• Strategic Design of Arbitral Procedures: He’s adept at designing efficient and tailored arbitral procedures, ensuring fair and timely resolutions.
• Enforcement of Arbitral Awards: Mr. Harrison has significant experience in enforcing arbitral awards, safeguarding clients’ rights and remedies.
• Comprehensive Legal Counsel: Beyond arbitration and mediation, he offers legal counsel on a select basis, including opinion work and procedural design.

Education and Affiliations:

Mr. Harrison’s dedication to ADR is further underscored by his numerous awards, including Lawyer of the Year: Alternative Dispute Resolution (2026) and Lawyer of the Year: International Arbitration (2025), as well as recognition in Who's Who Legal for arbitration (Canada) and Best Attorney USA since 2020. He is a co-author of The Law of Product Warnings and Recalls in Canada, 2nd ed. (LexisNexis Canada, 2019) and served as a Sessional Instructor in Trial Advocacy at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Practice Areas:

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Class Action Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration, Product Liability Law

Awards:

Lawyer of the Year: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Toronto, Canada (2026), Lawyer of the Year: International Arbitration, Toronto, Canada (2025), Recognized: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Recognized: Class Action Litigation, Recognized: Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Recognized: International Arbitration, Recognized: Product Liability Law

Affiliations:

• Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society
• ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
• CanArbWeek Organizing Committee
• University Tribunal of the University of Toronto
• International Mediation Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law

City: Toronto, State: Ontario, Country: Canada