GUELPH LAWYERS SMITHVALERIOTE LLP
dkidd@smithvaleriote.com
Voice: 519 837 2100 x 260
Donald G. Kidd B.A., L.L.B.
Don has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the bar of Ontario in 1976 and called to the bar of the Yukon Territory in 1978. He has practiced law in Toronto, Whitehorse and in Guelph since 1988 when he joined John and Frank Valeriote in their practice.
Don has extensive courtroom and administrative law experience. He practiced for two years with a large Toronto Bay Street firm. He was then involved in a wide ranging litigation and commercial law practice for eight years in the Yukon Territory.
Don has represented many clients as counsel in courts in Ontario and the Yukon at all levels. He appeared as counsel for the Yukon WCB in the Supreme Court of Canada. In Ontario he has successfully conducted trials and argued appeals at all levels of the Ontario courts and before such diverse boards as the Ontario Racing Commission and the Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal.
Don has been a Deputy Judge of the Ontario Small Claims Court since 1992, was a founding member of the Ontario Deputy Judges Association and has sat on its executive since 1998.. He was Chair of the Ontario Bar Association's Contingency Fee Committee and the Attorney General’s Committee on Contingency Fees. Don is a member of the Ontario Bar Assoc.’s Access to Justice Committee and has been active in the OBA for over 20 years. He was a member of the Province’s Rules Committee for the Small Claims Court and he has been a member of the Central West Bench and Bar Committee since 1990. He is also a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.
Don’s Civil Litigation practice includes but is not limited to:
Employment and Labour Law; Construction disputes; Corporate, Commercial and Contract disputes; Occupational Health and Safety; and Family Law property and support issues.
Don and his wife, Barb have a family of three adult children and until recently a dog, Farley. He enjoys reading all sorts of books and is an avid movie goer. He also stays active and hopefully fit by playing squash and volleyball, sailing, motorcycling, golfing and being involved in downhill and cross country skiing. Don enjoys cottaging on Manitoulin Island.
Don is a past president of the Royal City Kiwanis Club, a past Director of the Guelph Kiwanis Club, chair of the Guelph Kiwanis Music Festival, a board member for the Elora Festival and a member of the Arthur Chamber of Commerce.