CURRICULUM VITAE / 1
DANIEL I. REISLER
Reisler Law PC
900-375 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G2J5
(416) 645-8000
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Dan Reisler is a lawyer practising in the field of civil litigation and alternate dispute resolution (ADR). He is the owner of Reisler Franklin PC, the law firm that evolved from Reisler Franklin LLP, one of the country’s premier insurance defence boutiques. A Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation, Dan is a leader in the field of insurance litigation, and his accomplishments have been recognized by the Lexpert legal directory where he is listed as “consistently recommended” in his field. He has been peer-selected to be included in the “Best Lawyers in Canada” directory annually since 2006.
Dan is a past President of Canadian Defence Lawyers and has represented the Canadian Region on the State and Local Defense Organization Council of DRI – the Voice of the Defence Bar. Dan is also the past Chair of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Foundation as of 2018 and,since 2010, has been a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), an invitation-only, world-wide organization of top defence and corporate counsel. Dan recentlyserved as Vice-Chair North America, International Committee of the IADC and Vice-Chair Membership, Diversity Committee of the IADC and currently is an active member of the following IADC committees: the Diversity Committee, the International Committee, the Insurance Committee and the Trial Tactics Committee.
Dan has practiced insurance defence litigation for over thirty-five years, representing major North American and European property and casualty insurers. Dan has extensive trial and appellate experience, including appearances before administrative tribunals and extensive participation in ADR, both mediation and arbitration. For nine years, Dan served as an adjunct professor of Civil Trial Advocacy at Queen’s University’s Faculty of Law. He is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars on insurance law and civil litigation.
EDUCATION
Called to the Ontario Bar – April 10, 1980
LLB, University of Windsor – 1978
Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto – 1972-1973; 1974-1975
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada – 1990
Reisler Law PC – January 1, 2018 to Current
- Owner
Reisler Franklin LLP – 2000 to December 31, 2017
- Founding Partner
Torkin Manes LLP – January 1997 to October 2000
- Partner: 1998 - 2000
- Head Insurance Defence Group: 1997-2000
Fireman Regan –1980 to December 1996
- Managing Partner: 1993
- Management Committee Member: 1990-1994
- Partner: 1988 – 1996
- Articling Committee Member:1986-1989
- Associate: 1980 to 1988
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Queen’s University Faculty of Law: 1991-2000
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Civil Trial Advocacy
Advocates’ Society Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program: Instructor on Examining and Cross-Examining Experts: May 23, 2012
- Panelist on preparing, qualifying and bulletproofing your expert
- Examining counsel in demonstration of how to create an effective first impression
Advocates’ Society Program Workshop Instructor on Jury Advocacy: April 7, 2006
- Member of faculty comprised of senior litigators and members of the Ontario bench; demonstrating advocacy to junior litigators during a full day skill based workshop, coaching hands-on practical litigation skills
Law Society of Upper Canada, Bar Admission Course: 1991
- Negotiations
- Professional Responsibility
Advocates’ Society Institute (now Ontario Centre for Advocacy), Basic Advocacy Training Program:Feb/1989 to June/1993
- Various workshops following the strategic advocacy model designed for the Institute, including opening and closing addresses, cross-examination, negotiation strategy and trial strategy
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Past Chair of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Foundation:2015 –January 2018
Past President of Canadian Defence Lawyers: 2010 - 2011
Vice-Chair Membership, Diversity Committee of the International Association of Defence Counsel (IADC): 2015 –2017
Vice-Chair North America, International Committee of the IADC:2016 - Current
Chair – Canadian Defence Lawyers Annual Meeting and Conference, Vancouver B.C.: June 2012.
Former SLDO (State and Local Defence Organizations) Council Rep for DRI – the Voice of the Defence Bar (USA): 2008 - 2011
Chair – Trial Tactics Conference, sponsored by Canadian Defence Lawyers, Toronto:October 6, 2008.
Focus Group Member of the Task Force on Discovery Process in Ontario: 2001
Co-Chair – 2nd Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims Conference, Toronto: November 6-7, 2000.
Ontario Court of Justice Backlog Elimination Project Member: 1996
Advocates Society Institute –Faculty Council Member: 1990-1991
PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
Paper and Presentation– “A Snapshot of the Law and Trends on the Admissibility and Qualification of Expert Evidence,” D. I. Reisler and S. Hsu, Presented at “Tricks of the Trade Conference,” Advocates’ Society, January 26, 2018.
Paper and Presentation –“Using Expert Reports Effectively and With Success,” D.I. Reisler, presented at “Tips, Tricks and Trends: The Practical Reality of Litigating in the New World,” Ontario Bar Association’s Institute, Toronto, February 8, 2017.
Presentation – “Going to Trial – and Winning!” Presented at “Education, Fellowship and the Arts,” Reisler Franklin LLP, Stratford, Ontario, October 20, 2016.
Presentation– “Litigating Chronic Pain – Defense Perspective,” D.I. Reisler and D. Bertschi. Presented at “Chronic Pain in the Medical-Legal Arena: Perils and Pitfalls,” Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators. Toronto, September 30, 2016.
Panelist – D.I. Reisler. Defence Counsel Panelist at Mock Cross Examination Physical and Medical Expert at “Chronic Pain in the Medical-Legal Arena: Perils and Pitfalls,” Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators. Toronto, September 30, 2016.
Presentation - “Weathering Winter Liability,” D.I. Reisler, presented at Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Conference, Toronto, October 17, 2015.
Paper and Presentation – “Beyond the Limit: A Case Summary and Policy Commentary Following the Court of Appeal’s Decision in Schmitz v. Lombard,” D.I. Reisler, A. Romano and T. Zdravkovic. Presented at “Motor Vehicle Tort Litigation in Ontario: Critical Updates,” Ontario Bar Association, Toronto, October 22, 2014.
Moderator - Diversity/Employment Law/International: Legal, Practical and Moral Implications of Global Migration. D.I. Reisler, moderated at IADC Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria, July 7, 2014.
Presentation – “Of Necessity and Risk: Articling and the Return on Investment,”D.I. Reisler, presented at The Commons Institute Conference on “Ethics, Professionalism and the Business of Law,” Toronto, January 31, 2014.
Presentation – “In Pursuit of Excellence: Practical Tools to Enhance Your Practice,” D.I. Reisler, presented at “Tricks of the Trade Conference,” Advocates’ Society, January 24, 2014.
Paper and Presentation - “Commercial Host Liability Update,” D.I. Reisler, presented at Osgoode Professional Development 9th Annual Update Personal Injury Law and Practice, Toronto, September 27, 2013.
Presentation – “Use of Experts at Trial,”D.I. Reisler presented at Commercial Host Litigation Seminar Sponsored by Canadian Defence Lawyers. Toronto, November 16, 2012.
Panelist – “What Happened to Negotiation?” D.I. Reisler, panelist at CIMA –CIAA-CDL Joint Program, “Taking Control: Managing CGL Claims.”Toronto, October 1, 2012.
Panelist – D.I. Reisler. Defence Counsel Panelist at ADR Ontario Insurance Section Mock Mediation. Toronto, March 14, 2012.
Presentation – “Experts – A Tale of Three Provincesm” D.I. Reisler. Presented at “The Best Defence,”Canadian Defence Lawyers Annual Meeting and Conference. Vancouver, September 29, 2010.
Chair – “One Eye Shut: Surveillance under the New OPC Guidelines.” D.I. Reisler. Canadian Defence Lawyers. Toronto, October 21, 2009.
Presentation – “Tavern Liability: Identifying and Utilizing Alternative Liability Sources to Maximize Recovery.” D.I. Reisler (Defence Perspective). Presented at Managing and Litigating Motor Vehicle Accident Claims, Osgoode Professional Development Program. Toronto, April 22, 2009.
Presentation – “Demonstrations: The Ins and Outs of Examination for Discovery, Pretrial and Mediations,” at “Bootcamp: Basic Training for Defence Law Clerks,” Canadian Defence Lawyers. Toronto, May 9, 2007.
Submissions –Civil Justice Reform Project on behalf of Canadian Defence Lawyers, 2007. [Appendix C]
Co-Chair and Presentation – D.I. Reisler at “Litigating Catastrophic Disability and Damages,” Insight Seminars, December 20, 2006.
Panelist - “Pinpointing the Key Factors in Litigating Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries: Making Effective Use of the Health Care Expert,” D.I. Reisler, presented at Canadian Institute Conference: Auto Insurance Claims Litigation – Intensive Summit on Bill 198 & the New Regime. Toronto, November 29, 2005.
Panelist – “What’s That Injury Worth?” D.I. Reisler, presented at Canadian Institute Conference: Auto Insurance Claims Litigation. Toronto, June 10, 2005.
Presentation - “Critical Legal Update on Collateral Benefits,” D.I. Reisler, presented at Canadian Institute Conference: Auto Insurance Claims Litigation under Bill 198’s Sweeping Reforms. Toronto, December 9, 2003.
Presentation - “The Ins and Outs of Picking a Jury,” D.I. Reisler, presented at “Personal Injury Litigation – Getting Ready for Trial: A Crash Course.” Ontario Bar Association. Toronto, November 19, 2003.
Paper and Presentation – “Litigation Strategies Arising from Bill 198 Amendments to Auto Insurance Legislation – The Defence Perspective,”D.I. Reisler, presented at Canadian Institute Conference: Auto Insurance Claims Litigation Under Ontario’s New Bill 198. Toronto, May 13, 2003.
Presentation – D.I. Reisler, presented at “Tricks of the Trade: Practical Strategies for Conducting Jury Trials,” The Advocates Society. Toronto, January 16, 2003.
Presentation –“Video Surveillance: How Not to Cut Yourself While Wielding the Sword,” presented at 4th Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims. The Canadian Institute. Toronto, November 5, 2002.
Moderator – “Understanding the Diagnosis and Treatment of Subjective Disorders: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Insurers,”D.I. Reisler, moderated at 3rd Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims. The Canadian Institute. Toronto, November 5, 2001.
Moderator –“A Medical Guide to Conversion Disorder, Other Psychiatric Disorders and Functional Somatic Syndromes: Assessment and Management,” D.I. Reisler, moderated at 2nd Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims.The Canadian Institute. Toronto, November 6, 2000.
Presentation and Paper - “Use of Discovery Transcripts at Trial”,D.I. Reisler, presented at “A Trial Lawyers’ Evidence Notebook,” Law Society of Upper Canada Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Toronto, June 5, 1996.
Presentation - “Production of Clinical Notes and Records,” D.I. Reisler presented at the Advocates’ Society Fall Convention, Toronto, 1987.
PUBLICATIONS
“International Conflicts of Service,” S. Hsu and D. Reisler, (November 2016), IADC International Committee Newsletter.
“Slips, Trips and Falls – A Word from the Defence,” D.I. Reisler and M.B. Hanna. July 17, 2015.
“Reflections” D.I. Reisler, p. 18, in Canadian Defence Lawyers Celebrating 20 Years. C. Samworth, Toronto, 2015.
“Updating the 15 per cent Rule of Thumb: The Sobering Task of Calculating Commercial Host Liability in Ontario Case Law,” D.I. Reisler in Lawyers Weekly, November 1, 2013.
“Cross-border Torts and Choice of Limitations Law in Canada,” D.I. Reisler and M. Bowlin, (January 2012), IADC International Committee Newsletter.
“Recent Trends in the Production of Medical Reports,” P.G. Samworth and D.I. Reisler, (1987), 8 Adv. Q.97.
“Production of Medical Records,” D.I. Reisler and P.G. Samworth, (1985), 6 Adv.Q. 257.
Consultant’s Report on Proposed Amendments to Nursing Homes Act and Regulations, prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Health and tabled in the legislature, November 21, 1977.
RECOGNITION
Peer Selected to be included in Best Lawyers in Canada – from inaugural yearof 2006 to current year
Recognized as “Consistently Recommended” in the Lexpert Directory – to current year
Canadian Lawyer’s Top 10 Insurance Defence Boutiques: January 2013
Receipt of State Leadership Award from DRI – The Voice of the Defence Bar: 2011
Receipt of Exceptional Performance Citation from DRI – The Voice of the Defence Bar: 2010 – 2011
LSUC “Advisory Services Thank You,” in the Ontario Reports –publicly recognized as one of fifty-eight senior litigation mentors providing mentoring in litigation to junior lawyers: May 26, 2000.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Member of Outward Bound Canada 2013 Mt. Kilimanjaro Fundraising Expedition
- Team raised $53,000 for Outward Bound Canada’s core funded programs – Veteran’s Program, Women of Courage, Aboriginal Youth and Youth at Risk
Coach North Toronto Soccer League: 2006 and 2007
Past President of the Board of the Downtown Jewish Community School – 2000-2002
Law Ball League Commissioner – 1989-1990
MEMBERSHIPS
International Association of Defense Counsel
- Diversity Committee
- International Committee
- Insurance Committee
- Trial Tactics Committee
Canadian Defence Lawyers
Canadian Bar Association
Defence Research Institute
Toronto Lawyers Association
Medico-Legal Society of Toronto
Art Gallery of Ontario
Royal Ontario Museum
Beth Tzedec Synagogue
Toronto Lawn Tennis Club
South Rosedale Residents Association
PERSONAL
Married to Dale Reisler, with two children, Justine and Joshua.