J. Ross Macfarlane
Mr. Macfarlane was called to the bar of Ontario in 1995, after completing his Bachelor of Laws cum laude at University of Ottawa, and his Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science summa cum laude at McMaster University. Originally from Welland, Mr. Macfarlane articled in Ottawa and practised there until 2003, when he returned to Welland to join Flett Beccario.
Areas of Practice
Mr. Macfarlane practises as a general litigator, with an emphasis on debtor/creditor, bankruptcy and insolvency, commercial disputes, and employment law.
Professional Experience
Mr. Macfarlane has represented clients ranging from individuals to large institutions at all levels of the Ontario courts. He most frequently represents banks, credit unions, trustees in bankruptcy and receivers, and local businesses in the Niagara region. He has been successful in many cases before the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, several of which have been reported in the Ontario Reports.
Professional Activities
Mr. Macfarlane is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, the Advocates’ Society, and INSOL International, a worldwide association of insolvency professionals. He is a Past President of the Welland County Law Association, a member of the Hamilton Law Association, and a former member of the County of Carleton Law Association. While in Ottawa, Mr. Macfarlane taught Civil Litigation and Insolvency Law at the Bar Admission Course, was a guest lecturer in Civil Procedure at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and was a member of the planning committee for the annual Montebello Civil Litigation Updated conference. He has delivered papers at and planned CLE events for the County of Carleton Law Association, the Advocates’ Society, and the Law Society of Upper Canada, and has been a member of the advisory committee overseeing the implementation of Rule 76 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Community Involvement
Mr. Macfarlane serves on the Board of Les Marmitons Niagara, a gentlemen’s cooking club, and is the Senior Vice-President (Operations) of Les Marmitons International. In June 2016, he was awarded the Jean-Pierre Jobin Award, the organization’s highest honour. He has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Les Marmitons bursary fund with the Niagara College Foundation. Mr. Macfarlane serves on the Board of the Niagara College Learning Enterprise Corporation, which oversees the teaching winery and brewery operations at the College. Since 2014, he has been a jury member for the University of Guelph/Food Day Canada Good Food Innovation Awards, which recognize excellence in Canadian cuisine in restaurants across the country. He is also the current President and Sponsorship Chair for the Welland-Port Colborne Concert Association, having served on the Board since 2004, and a member of the Pelham Mayor’s Gala Committee.