WeirFoulds LLP celebrates the retirement of longtime Counsel, trusted advocate and respected colleague W.A. Derry Millar, marking the close of an extraordinary 54-year career with the firm. Derry joined WeirFoulds as a student and, after being called to the Ontario Bar in 1974, returned to the firm as an Associate before becoming a Partner. Over more than five decades, he has helped shape WeirFoulds, the legal profession and the broader administration of justice in Ontario.
Over the course of his career, Derry built a broad civil litigation and administrative law practice, appearing before all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as before numerous administrative tribunals. His work included complex commercial litigation, environmental matters, aviation and products liability files, class actions, inquiries and public law matters, all handled with the careful judgment and steady advocacy for which he became widely known.
Among his many significant contributions, Derry served as lead counsel to the Ipperwash Inquiry, where he led a team of lawyers and investigators through the collection, organization and presentation of evidence from 139 witnesses over 229 hearing days. He was also appointed by the Federal Court of Canada as amicus curiae in the Indian Day School settlement, further reflecting the trust placed in his experience, independence and commitment to matters of public importance.
Derry’s service to the profession has been equally distinguished. A former Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario, first elected as a Bencher in 1995, he has chaired and served on numerous Law Society committees and has contributed to organizations including Legal Aid Ontario, The Advocates’ Society, Pro Bono Law Ontario, the Law Society Foundation and LibraryCo. He has also been a longtime member of the Civil Rules Committee and co-editor of the Ontario Annual Practice, helping generations of lawyers navigate civil procedure with clarity and confidence.
Partner John Buhlman also reflected on Derry’s contribution to the justice system and the profession: “Derry’s service to the justice system reflects the highest ideals of the legal community and raises the bar. His professionalism, devotion to the profession and sense of fair play are qualities all lawyers should aspire to.”
His contributions have also been recognized through numerous honours and distinctions, including the Law Society Medal, the Catzman Award for Professionalism and Civility from The Advocates’ Society, the Toronto Lawyers Association Award of Distinction, and an honorary LL.D. from the Law Society of Upper Canada. He has also been repeatedly recognized by leading legal directories, including the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexology Index: Canada, for his work in commercial litigation, arbitration, mediation, public law and administrative law.
“Derry’s career in law demonstrates excellence, service, integrity, civility, decency and understanding people, said fellow Counsel, Jeff Cowan. “Derry makes others shine just by being associated with him”.
Within WeirFoulds, Derry’s influence has been felt not only through the matters he handled, but through the example he set. Colleagues know him as a mentor, partner and friend whose advice is concise, practical and grounded in principle. His thoughtful leadership, professionalism and respect for others have helped shape the firm’s culture and left a lasting impression on generations of lawyers who have learned from him.
At a retirement lunch held in Derry’s honour, Denise Baker, Chair of WeirFoulds, reflected on the lasting impact of his career and the example he has set for others:
“Thank you for everything you have given to this firm. Thank you for the example you have set and for the standard you have upheld. The measure of a career is not only the work itself, important as that is, but also the people you influence, support and help become better along the way. By that measure, your impact has been extraordinary.”
As Derry moves into retirement, WeirFoulds congratulates him on an exceptional career and extends its warmest wishes as he begins this next chapter.