John D. Leslie represents debtors, financial institutions, receivers, trustees, customers, suppliers and other creditors and stakeholders in major insolvency and restructuring proceedings. Over the past several years he has been extensively involved in a number of auto industry-related insolvency cases in the United States and Canada. John also has extensive experience in a variety of litigation matters relating to insolvency, bankruptcy, commercial fraud and general commercial and priority disputes, including those arising from equipment and inventory financing. He advises on cross-border issues as they relate to the protection and realization of assets. John’s focus is on counseling inbound Canadian investment and businesses seeking to establish operations in Canada.
John has been an instructor for the business law and insolvency sections of the Ontario Bar admission courses and has conducted many seminars on bankruptcy law, litigation, security enforcement and other insolvency matters for various professional organizations. John has offices in both Windsor and Toronto.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Windsor
B.A.University of Windsor Law School
LL.B., 1987Acknowledgements
- Best Lawyers in Canada®
- Insolvency and Financial Restructuring, 2024-2025
Prominent Assignments
- Represented a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the automotive industry, negotiating agreements to facilitate and manage the restructuring proceedings of a Tier 1 supplier, spanning across jurisdictions in the United States and Canada.
Professional Involvement
- Canadian Bar Association
- Essex Law Association
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Turnaround Management Association
- Canadian Insolvency Foundation
Community Involvement
- Am Cham Canada-Toronto GTA Chapter, Board of Directors
- Regional Children's Centre, Past Board Member
- Hospice of Windsor, Past Board Member
- Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member
- Travel Minor Hockey Team, Coach
- Travel Minor Baseball Team, Coach
- Sun County Panthers, Board Member
Teaching Experience
- University of Windsor, Lecturer, Bar Admission Course (Bankruptcy and Insolvency)
Windsor Office
Windsor, Ontario N8N 1L8
Publications/Presentations
Seminars and Events
- So Close - So Much Opportunity: U.S. Business Potential in Toronto
- Helping You and Your Clients Do Business in Canada - Kalamazoo
- Helping You and Your Clients Do Business in Canada - Chicago
- SAE Automotive Luncheon Briefing
- Employee Reductions and Plant Closings: Legal Considerations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, India and Europe - Grand Rapids
- Employee Reductions and Plant Closings: Legal Considerations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, India and Europe - Troy
Articles and Newsletters
- Managing Uncertainty Through Financial Crisis Requires Proactive Guidance
- Doing Business in North America (Volume 1 - United States)
- Doing Business in North America (Volume 2 - Canada)
- Doing Business in Poland
- Automotive Guide
- Recent Amendments to Canadian Insolvency Legislation