Shawn’s legal career started three decades ago in 1988 as a summer student at a prominent blue-chip Bay Street law firm, following which he spent a decade in private practice, then as defence counsel representing many insurance companies and their policyholders. He followed his time in private defence practice with four years as in-house counsel for the Canadian operations of a major American insurer. Shawn started his own firm as plaintiff’s counsel in 2000, and was in continuous private practice at Patey Law Group for 20 years.

Shawn wound down his law practice in 2020 and now operates as a full-time mediator with his partner Dan for all civil litigation in Ontario.

As counsel, he has attended on approximately 2000 mediations and arbitrations. Shawn’s experience over 3 decades on both sides of insurance litigation allows him to approach conflict resolution with empathy for all parties.

A life-long learner, Shawn has in recent years obtained two Master of Laws degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School (York University). In October 2018, he graduated with a Masters of Law in Energy and Infrastructure. Most recently, he graduated in October 2019 with a Masters of Law specializing in civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Shawn is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association, the ADR Institute of Canada, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Shawn is of indigenous descent from Newfoundland, and was a Founding Member of the Qalipu First Nation, a Mi’kmaq band government, created in 2011.