Adam Ship is a mediator/arbitrator, commercial litigator and franchise lawyer with over 15 years’ experience gained at national law firm McCarthy Tétrault, where he was a litigation partner and led the firm’s franchise practice. In 2023, Adam decided to start his own law firm, where he could continue his commercial litigation and franchise practice, while also offering mediation and arbitration services.

Adam’s experience spans all aspects of commercial litigation and franchise law. Adam is also an accomplished legal writer and scholar. He served as an Adjunct Professor of franchise law at the University of Toronto law school for four years and his legal writing on private law has been cited by courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the BC Court of Appeal.

Adam helps parties resolve disputes, whether through mediation or arbitration, across Canada and is listed as a mediator and arbitrator on the roster at ADR Chambers in Toronto. When it comes to mediation, Adam draws from his extensive experience mediating cases to help identify if there is an opportunity to bridge the gap between parties. Adam understands the nuances and complexities of resolving disputes and is committed to finding solutions wherever possible. When it comes to arbitration, Adam has extensive experience arbitrating cases as counsel and his legal writing has been cited by courts across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the BC Court of Appeal.

Adam has wide experience as litigation counsel, representing franchisors, franchisees and other private and public companies in complex commercial disputes, including contract claims, rescission cases, bad faith allegations, fraud cases, class actions, and competition litigation.

• Chambers Canada Leading Lawyer: Franchising – Nationwide Canada
• The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Leading Lawyer: Franchise Law – Franchisor
• Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 2015 Rising Star
• Lexpert Special Edition: Litigation Leading Lawyer
• The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 Franchise Lawyer of the Year
• Who’s Who Canada: Franchising
• Acritas Stars “Stand-out-Lawyer” – OBA Franchise Law Award – 2012 and 2013

Hons. BA (High Distinction) – University of Toronto (2004)
Juris Doctor (Honour’s Standing) – University of Toronto (2007)
Adjunct Professor (Franchise Law) – University of Toronto (2013-2017)