Paul M. Iacono, Q.C.

Paul M. Iacono was called to the Ontario Bar in 1972 after completing his LL.B. at Osgoode Hall Law School and was certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation in 1990. He has practiced in the area of insurance litigation for more than forty years, currently as Counsel to Beard Winter LLP.

Mr. Iacono’s contribution to the insurance industry was recognized in 1996 when he was made an Honorary Member of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association. In response to new developments in the field, Mr. Iacono expanded his practice into mediation and arbitration, receiving training through the Canadian Dispute Resolution Corporation (1990 and 1996), Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Ontario Inc. (1992) and the Harvard Mediation Workshop offered through The Advocates’ Society (1996).

In 2009, Mr. Iacono was honoured to receive the Award of Excellence in A.D.R. by the Ontario Bar Association. In May 2007, he was made a Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, in 2011, he became a Governor of that organization and in 2012 he served as Treasurer. In 2013, the Academy presented Mr. Iacono with the President’s award and in 2015; the Academy bestowed upon him the highest honour, making him a “Knight” for his outstanding contributions to the organization.

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Iacono served as a Deputy Judge of the Toronto Small Claims Court for more than 25 years. He is the founding principal of YorkStreet Dispute Resolution Group Inc., a panel of professionals focusing on Mediation, Arbitration, Appraisal and Neutral Evaluations. Mr. Iacono has written in excess of 75 published articles on insurance law and mediation, as well as civil procedure and damages. Mr. Iacono is in demand as a speaker and panel participant. He has been a speaker for the American Bar Association, ADR Section, and has presented papers on behalf of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Bar Association and The Advocates’ Society. Mr. Iacono is a Member of The Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and an Affiliate Member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

Mr. Iacono was a Director of the Foundation Board of the Toronto East General Hospital for 12 years (1995-2007) and continues to remain as an Honorary Director of that organization. In 2013, the hospital declared him a “Hero” and held a dinner in his honour. He was a member of the Board of the Canadian Paraplegic Association for 10 years (2000-2010). He is now on the Board of Parasport Ontario.

Mr. Iacono has always been an avid golfer. He was a member of the Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club for 35 years, but when his wife, Maila, took up golf in the late 90’s, they became members of The Toronto Hunt Club. From 1987 until 1997, he was on the advisory board for the Canadian tour. He has been on the “SCORE Golf Magazine” Top 100 panel since 1993. In 2013, in his capacity as counsel to Beard Winter LLP, Mr. Iacono provided advice to Sports Properties International in the launching of the newest LPGA event, the ManuLife Classic, in Cambridge, Ontario.