The Honourable Richard C. Gates, Q.C. was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2003, sitting in Windsor and serving the Southwest Region of Ontario through 2015.  While a member of the Court he served as a Director and President of the Ontario Superior Court Judges' Association.

He then established a private practice, Richard Gates Mediation and Arbitration Services Ltd., for the purpose of conducting mediations and arbitrations, based in Windsor, with retainers across Ontario.  In the course of both his legal and judicial careers, spanning five decades, he focused primarily on civil litigation matters.

Richard maintains a dispassionate attitude, and is able to objectively articulate complex situations.  In the course of mediating hundreds of cases he has established a reputation for perseverance, patience and tact.  He is recognized as a fair and thorough mediator with strong negotiation skills, who fosters an atmosphere conducive to achieving positive results.

Litigants can benefit from his range of experience as a trial lawyer, Superior Court judge, and mediator, in guiding the dispute resolution process.  Aside from his understanding of legal issues, he recognizes that some cases will inevitably result in a trial.

In every instance he respects the individual interests of the parties, as well as the specific issues involved in each dispute.  As a seasoned mediator, he encourages discussion between the parties with a common goal of achieving resolution.

A good settlement is better than a good lawsuit (Abraham Lincoln)

• BA   - Carleton University, Ottawa 1963
• LLB – Queen’s University Law School 1966
• Queen’s Counsel – Appointed 1980
• Collaborative Decision Resources (CDR), Boulder Colorado - completed advanced Mediation Course 1998
• Certified as Mediator by the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program 1999
• Honorary Diploma in Law & Security Administration Honoris Causa  awarded by St. Clair College, Windsor
• National Judicial Institute - completed Settlement Clincs I & II - 2010 & 2013

• Appointed to Superior Court of Justice, (2003)
• Member - Advocates Society (since 1972)
• Director and President - Essex Law Association (1983-1989)
• President – Ontario Superior Court Judges’ Association (2011-2013)
• Director - County & District Law Presidents’ Association (1989-2001)
• President - County & District Law Presidents’ Association (1996-1998)
• Member - Law Society Task Force Committees for a) review of facilities & security of Ontario Court Houses & b) Regulation of Paralegals (1996-1998)
• Board of Governors (Chair & Vice-Chair), St. Clair College, Windsor (1976-83)
• Founding Chair, St. Clair College Foundation (1999-2002)
• Director, Children’s Aid Society, County of Essex (1969 – 79)
• President, Children’s Aid Society, County of Essex (1977- 79)
• Director - House of Sophrosyne, womens addiction treatment facility (1988-91)
• Member - Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (2020)

available upon request

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