John S. Fitzpatrick, KC

John is a Partner practicing in the areas of Loan and Mortgage Enforcement and Real Estate. He is a past member of the firm’s Executive Committee and is the Creditor Practice Team Lead.

John was appointed King’s Counsel (formerly Queen’s Counsel) in 2008 and has been included in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2012. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2014 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service. In 2016, he was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society.

John has been recognized and has received numerous awards for his involvement in a number of community organizations. He is a past member of the World Wildlife Fund Canada Board of Directors and is a former Chair of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors. He is currently Chair of the Board of the Halifax International Airport Authority. John serves on the Board of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.

Background

Education

• 1984: LL.B., Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 1981: Bachelor of Arts, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Employment

• 2003 – Present: Partner, BOYNECLARKE LLP, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• 2000 – 2003: Partner, Cox Hanson O’Reilly Matheson, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• 1998 – 2000: Chair, Canada Pension Review Tribunal
• 1991 – 2000: Partner, Waterbury Newton, Kentville, Nova Scotia
• 1985 – 1991: Associate, Waterbury Newton, Kentville, Nova Scotia

Professional Memberships

• Member – Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
• Member – Canadian Bar Association
• Member – Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Maritime Chapter

Community Activities

• Current Board Chair – Halifax International Airport Authority (2023)
• Co-Chair – Strategic Growth Council – Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2025)
• Board Member – Halifax International Airport Authority (2014 – present)
• Former Chair – Capital Projects Committee – Halifax International Airport Authority (2018 – 2023)
• Board Member – Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2021 – present)
• Member – Lead on Campaign Cabinet, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation (2022 – present)
• Former Co-Chair – Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Above & Beyond Capital Campaign (2019 – 2022)
• Former Member – Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Advisory Council (2018)
• Former Board Member – World Wildlife Fund, Canada: Chair, Governance Committee, and Member, Executive Committee (2014 – 2022)
• Former Chair – WWF Canada Atlantic Council (2012 – 2016)
• Former Committee Member – Queen’s Counsel Advisory Committee (2016 – 2018)
• Former Member – Bertha Wilson Honour Society Selection Committee (2017)
• Former Member – Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors (1995 – 2016)
• Former Chair – Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors (2012 – 2016)
• Former Vice-Chair – Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors (2008 – 2011)
• Former Committee Chair – Saint Mary’s University: Executive, Presidential Search, President’s Performance and Compensation, Advisory to the President on Labour Relations, Finance, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs.
• Former Member – Saint Mary’s University Hearts and Minds Capital Campaign Cabinet (2008-2011)
• Former Member – Saint Mary’s University – Enactus Student Advisory Board (2012)
• Former Co-Chair – Annual Meeting, Canadian University Boards Association (CUBA) (2016)
• Former Chair – Rogers Atlantic Radio Business Advisory Board (2004 – 2006)
• Former Board and Executive Committee Member, Governance Chair, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation (ABC Life Literacy) Toronto; Ontario (2002 – 2011)
• Former Co-Chair – Federal Election Campaign, Nova Scotia (2000)
• Former President – Kings North Riding Association (1991 – 1993)
• Former Secretary – Kings County Barristers’ Society (1999 – 2000)
• Former Vice Chair and Director – Nova Scotia PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy Society (1999 – 2005)
• Former Chair – Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy (1995 – 1996)
• Former Vice Chair – Fundraising Committee, Apple Tree Landing Children’s Centre (1997)
• Former Canvasser Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia (1992 – 1996)
• Former Board Member – King’s County Big Brothers/Big Sisters (1987 – 1992)
• Former Fundraising Committee Member – Bonny Lea Farms (1986 – 1988)

Awards & Honours

• King Charles III Coronation Medal Recipient (2024)
• Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa – Saint Mary’s University (2017)
• Bertha Wilson Honour Society (2016)
• Honorary Gold “M” Saint Mary’s University Students Association (2015)
• Best Lawyers in Canada published by Best Lawyers® (2012 – 2025) for Banking and Finance Law
• Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service (2014)
• Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• King’s Counsel, formally Queen’s Counsel (2008)
• Canadian Bar Association Community Service Award (2005)
• Peter Gzowski Award (1995)
• Canada 125 Medal (1992)