Robert Henry Karrass

Robert Karrass is the principal of Karrass Law. His practice focuses on litigation, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. He has represented clients in complex civil, commercial, criminal, administrative and regulatory proceedings and has appeared at both the trial and appellate levels.

Mr. Karrass received his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he was awarded the Kenneth Gibson Morden Memorial Prize for achieving the highest standing in Evidence. He later returned to Osgoode as an instructor in the Lawyer as Negotiator program.

In addition to his work as counsel, Mr. Karrass served from 2015 to 2020 as a Presiding Lawyer Member of Ontario’s Consent and Capacity Board. In that role, he presided over more than 400 hearings, ruled on contested evidentiary and procedural issues, assessed oral and documentary evidence, and participated in the determination of matters affecting the rights and interests of parties appearing before the tribunal.

Mr. Karrass has acted as a mediator since 2012 and also acts as an arbitrator. His alternative dispute resolution practice draws upon his experience from each side of the dispute-resolution process, as advocate, adjudicator and neutral. He has mediated civil, commercial, employment, insurance and personal injury disputes, including complex and multi-party matters. His approach to mediation and arbitration is informed by extensive courtroom experience, years of adjudication, and a practical understanding of the legal, evidentiary and human considerations that drive disputes.

An accomplished classical pianist and musicologist, Mr. Karrass holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master of Music from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. He remains an active supporter of education and the arts.