Adam Ship

Adam is a mediator and arbitrator who is listed on ADR rosters across Canada, including ADR Chambers, the ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, VanIAC (expedited procedures) and the ADR Institute of Canada. 

Adam has extensive experience litigating, mediating, and arbitrating commercial and franchise disputes. Adam’s mediation and arbitration practice focuses on:

• franchise disputes between franchisors and franchisees, including those involving system-wide issues and multi-party dynamics;
• commercial disputes, including contract disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, class actions, competition matters, fraud allegations, banking law, and consumer protection claims; and
• tort litigation, including professional liability and product liability.

Adam practiced at McCarthy Tétrault for 15 years, where he was a litigation partner and leader of the firm’s national franchise practice prior to his departure in October 2023. He represented banks, franchisors, franchisees, shareholders and other private and public companies in all manner of commercial dispute. Adam is listed as one of the 2015 Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 in Canada and was listed in the 2022 and 2024 Lexpert Special Editions: Litigation. He is routinely recognized as a leading franchise lawyer in The Chambers Canada Guide to Leading Canadian Lawyers, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers in Canada, and Who’s Who: Canada. Since October 2023, Adam has continued his litigation and franchise practice at Ship-Law-ADR, where he also provides mediation and arbitration services.

Between 2013-2017, Adam served as an Adjunct Professor of franchise law at the University of Toronto law school. His legal writing on private law has been cited by courts across Canada. In 2007-2008, Adam clerked at the Ontario Court of Appeal.