Lawrence David is a proudly bilingual public law scholar and lawyer who teaches Criminal Law and Procedure, Administrative Law, and Constitutional Law.
Professor David's courses are designed to focus on students' best interests. Textbooks are normally optional, and the vast majority of course materials are made available free of charge using open-access sources on the Internet. He prides himself on fostering an atmosphere conducive to respectful dialogue and contributing to the training of the next generations of jurists, academics, and informed democratic actors.
Lawrence has extensive experience in law and policy at the federal level, including positions in the Privy Council Office, the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, and the Department of Justice Canada. Lawrence also clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Honourable Rosalie Abella (2015-2016) and at the Quebec Court of Appeal (2013-2014).
In these capacities, Lawrence had the privilege of contributing to the development of important legislative and regulatory initiatives, and to several judgments of considerable national importance. Lawrence's experience with all three branches of Canadian government has given him unique insight into the relationship between law and governance, law and public policy, and the separation of powers.
Lawrence is the author of the only monograph on the doctrine and practice of stare decisis in the Supreme Court of Canada, entitled Stare Decisis, The Charter and The Rule of Law in The Supreme Court of Canada (LexisNexis, 2020). He is also co-author of the Halsbury's Laws of Canada volume on common law damages (2021 edition) with expert Bruce Feldthusen.
Lawrence is also Founder and President of the Public Interest Litigation Institute, whose mandate is to uphold and advance the rule of law and the public interest, including in appeals heard by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Lawrence has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Quebec Court of Appeal, the Quebec Superior Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Ontario Superior Court, the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
Lawrence has appeared as counsel in the following appeals heard by the Supreme Court of Canada:
- His Majesty The King v. Abdel Karim Chemlal (SCC No. 41766) (2026) (criminal law and procedure)
- Ville de Québec v. Jardins de Vérone S.E.C. (SCC No. 41748) (2026) (administrative law)
- English Montreal School Board et al. v. Attorney General of Quebec (SCC No. 41231) (2026) (constitutional law)
- Quebec Major Junior Hockey League et al. v. Lukas Walter et al. (SCC No. 41532) (2026) (class actions)
- Aphria Inc. v. Canada Life Assurance Company (SCC No. 41665) (2026) (contracts and property law)
- Attorney General of Quebec v. Joseph-Christopher Luamba (SCC No. 41605) (2026) (constitutional law; criminal law)
- Democracy Watch v. Attorney General of Canada (SCC No. 41576) (2026) (administrative law)
- TransAlta Generation Partnership LLP v. Alberta, 2024 SCC 37 (administrative law)
- Auer v. Auer, 2024 SCC 36 (administrative law)