PRACTICE AREAS
BIO
The Honourable David Orsborn is Counsel at Cox & Palmer’s St. John’s office. He rejoined his former firm Benson Buffet in 2021 after his retirement from the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. David, together with H. James Puddester, Q.C., founded Benson Buffet in 1981.
David spent 27 years on the Supreme Court, including 5 years as Chief Justice. He brings to the firm not only his experience from his time on the bench but also his background as a Chartered Accountant and as a senior executive in hospital administration.
David has extensive experience in judicial dispute resolution and has helped many litigants settle their claims without requiring formal adjudication. He looks forward to meeting the need for alternative dispute resolution and helping parties resolve their disputes in a fair and efficient manner.
BACKGROUND
Bar Admission
Newfoundland & Labrador (1979)
Law School
- Dalhousie University
Education
- Memorial University – B. Comm (1st Class Hons.)
Professional Activities & Affiliations
- Canadian Judicial Education (Various) – past presenter/speaker at various national and provincial judicial education seminars conducted by the National Judicial Institute
- Past Member – The Canadian Bar Association
- Past Member – Canadian Tax Foundation Board of Governors
Commissions:
- Associate Counsel, The Royal Commission on the Ocean Ranger Marine Disaster
- Chair, The Royal Commission on Hospital and Nursing Home Costs (Newfoundland)
- The Triennial Commission on Federal Judges’ Salaries and Benefits (Courtois Commission)
- The Single Commission Inquiry into Provincial Court Judges’ Salaries and Benefits (Newfoundland)
- Co-counsel, the Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution
- Chair, 2020 Statutory Review of the NL Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Law Society Memberships
- Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador
- Canadian Bar Association
Languages
- English