About Reid Lester

Reid has been practicing law in Toronto for 30 years and founded Lester and Associates in 2021.

Reid Lester began his career at a large national firm in the early 1990s before moving to an insurance boutique firm where he practiced for over 10 years. He then became partner at another national firm before joining a boutique litigation firm in 2007. He specializes in the areas of insurance coverage, commercial fraud, banking (bills of exchange, negligence, breach of trust and Payments Canada Rules), and professional liability defense.

Reid received his undergraduate degree at UBC in Vancouver and an M.A. degree in Economics from Queens University in Kingston. In 1988, he completed his law degree, also from Queen’s. Reid was called to the Ontario bar in 1990 and to the British Columbia bar in 2018.

CONTACT US NOW

Here are a few the matters Reid has handled since founding Lester & Associates:

Defended a fidelity insurer in a high-profile, multi-million dollar coverage dispute pertaining to losses sustained in a Ponzi scheme. The case went to trial and the action was dismissed.
Defended an insurer in a cyber insurance coverage dispute relating to losses sustained in a Brute Force attack. The matter went to court where the claim was dismissed.
Obtained production and freezing orders in various fraud recovery matters, ultimately recovering millions of dollars for the benefit of the defrauded employers.
Successfully defended banks and credit unions in a variety of breach of trust and negligence cases.
Acted for mechanical engineers in a number of construction negligence cases.

PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Reid is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and seminars in the areas of commercial fraud, banking litigation issues and Fidelity Insurance Bonds.

Some examples of the topics he has presented on are as follows:

Concepts Related to Privilege (in Litigation)
Trusts, Equitable Tracing and Freezing the Proceeds of Fraud
Ethics and the Financial Crime Investigator
Principles of Banking and Bills of Exchange law
Principles of Fidelity Bond Claims
Bad Faith in First Party Insurance Claims
Elder Abuse and Power of Attorney
Enforcement of Banking Contracts

Education and Affiliations

Education

Queens University (LL.B. 1988)
Queens University (M.A. 1982)
University of British Columbia (B.A. 1981)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association (Tort and Insurance Practice Section (Surety and Fidelity)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Toronto Chapter

Testimonial

Maria Bernhardt, National Director

– Credit Unions Aon Risk Solutions

“I have worked with and known Reid for over 20 years. His considerable knowledge and expertise have been invaluable, but more importantly, he is a man of integrity! He has done exceptional work for my clients over the years and I have and will continue to recommend him.”

CANADIAN ATTORNEY
PRACTICE AREAS

Insurance Coverage
Banking Liability
Commercial Fraud
Professional Liability Defense



801-181 University Ave Toronto, M5H 3M7



(416) 802-9781

