John has practiced law in Ottawa since 1978, primarily as a civil litigator and trial counsel. John has conducted many civil trials throughout Eastern Ontario and has appeared many times in the Ontario’s appellate courts. He has presented twice at the Civil Litigation Conference conducted by the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA). He has taught the intensive Trial Advocacy Course at the University of Ottawa's Common Law Program since January 2012. John is responsible for the advocacy training programs at MBC Law (formerly McBride Bond Christian). In 2019, the CCLA awarded John its prestigious Carleton Medal as being “most deserving of recognition for great diligence, high ideals and outstanding leadership in the practice of law throughout their career. Those who will receive the medal will have made a significant contribution to the profession of law”.
In 2009, John created the innovative Advocacy Club, which teaches advocacy skills to and promotes competence, collegiality and leadership among junior civil litigators. As part of the Advocacy Club, John presents more advanced sessions that train junior lawyers improve their oral advocacy. Club graduates now participate in the presentation of the sessions to their colleagues. As of 2019, there are over 270 active members of the Advocacy Club practicing in Ottawa, including many who took Trial Advocacy with John.
In support of his training sessions, John has written and published through Irwin Law 8 handbooks on techniques of oral advocacy and professionalism, and has self-published through Amazon.com, handbooks on trial advocacy, outlining examinations, estate litigation and public speaking techniques.
John’s law firm biography can be found at: www.mbclaw.ca/en/john-hollander.html
The Advocacy Club website is: www.advocacyclub.ca