Canadian Sports Lawyer Set to Become Judge in Ontario

The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced yesterday Leanne E. Standryk, a partner at Lancaster Brooks & Welch LLP in St. Catharines, will be appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Justice Standryk replaces Justice R.A. Lococo (St. Catharines), who was elected as a supernumerary judge earlier this year..

Justice Standryk was born and raised in Niagara Falls. She earned her B.A. from Carleton University, LL.B. from Western University in 1996 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998.

At the time of her appointment, Justice Standryk was a Senior Partner with Lancaster Brooks & Welch LLP specializing in labour, employment, human rights and sports law. She has represented national, provincial and grass roots sport organizations. She has appeared before all levels of courts, administrative tribunals and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. She has also acted as mediator and arbitrator in sports-related disputes. A former competitive athlete, and advocate of SafeSport, Justice Standryk offers her experience to several sport organizations on matters including diversity, SafeSport and good governance.

Strongly committed to mentoring, Justice Standryk was a member of the Courts in the Classroom organizing committee. She continues to mentor youth through involvement with the Brock University Law Plus and Sports Management program. A dedicated volunteer, she has served on several Boards including the YMCA of Niagara, YMCA Canada, and received distinction as a Trustee Emeriti of Brock University. In November 2020, she was one of three women elected to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors and is Chair of the Risk Management Committee.