Alfred M. Kwinter

Alf Kwinter, a founding partner of Singer, Kwinter, is recognized as one of Canada's premier legal experts in the practice of Personal Injury and Insurance Law, and is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Civil Litigation. He has dedicated his practice to representing victims of accidents and those denied insurance claims for both personal and property. Alf has dedicated his career to affecting change in the law to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected.

Alf Kwinter was born in Vienna, Austria. He grew up in downtown Toronto and obtained his B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1967 and his law degree from the University of Toronto in 1970. In 1974 Alf and his classmate Morris Singer founded the firm of Singer, Kwinter.

Successfully appearing as plaintiff's counsel for many precedent setting cases, Alf was awarded the largest verdict for punitive damages against an insurance company in the history of the Canadian courts. He has appeared at all court levels including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

He has appeared as counsel at all court levels including The Supreme Court of Canada, where he appeared on behalf of the successful plaintiff in the landmark decision of Oldfield v. Transamerica Insurance Company. In a trial involving a fire loss claim, the jury awarded Alf's client the amount of the claim plus $2,500,000 for punitive damages-a new Canadian record. He has appeared as counsel on a number of other ground breaking cases including Kamin v. Kawartha Dairy which changed the law on trip and fall and Degennaro v. Oakville-Trafalgar Hospital-the largest award in Canada for chronic pain.

Alf has been an instructor at the Bar Admission Course, and a frequent speaker at The Law Society of Upper Canada, The Canadian Bar Association, The Advocates' Society, The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and was the invited keynote speaker at the Atlantic Province Trial Lawyer Association. Alf is also an adjunct professor teaching trial practice at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is highly respected for his ability to share his experience and knowledge, making him a much sought-after speaker.

Appointed as a director of the Advocates' Society in 2004, Alf was the representative on a committee chaired by Madame Justice Weiler, of the Ontario Court of Appeal. This important committee was responsible for a comprehensive "Report on Disabilities" dealing with access to courthouses for the disabled throughout Ontario.

Alf has been awarded the H. Bruce Hillyer Award by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cause of civil justice and for exemplifying the spirit of OTLA in fearlessly advancing the cause of individual rights by the effective use of trial advocacy. He also delivered the keynote address at the Spring Convention of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers’ Association in St. John’s, Newfoundland. 

He has taught trial practice in the Bar Admission Course and has been invited to speak at and chair numerous programs sponsored by The Advocates' Society, OTLA, CBA and the LSUC.

In November 2008, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association honoured Alf as a leader in the field of Personal Injury Law at its annual “Celebration of the Personal Injury Bar” event. His recognition by his peers for his outstanding contribution to the Personal Injury Bar reaffirms his position as one of Ontario's top lawyers in the practice of Personal Injury Law.

On June 6th, 2012 at the Advocates’ Society End of Term Dinner, Alf was presented with an award for Excellence in Teaching.

Memberships 
Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Advocates’ Society
Canadian Bar Association
American Association for Justice
American Bar Association
Medico-Legal Society, Council member

Community
Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Ontario
Canadian Paraplegic Association of Ontario
Rouge Valley Hospital System
Spinal Cord Research
Board of Directors - B’Nai Brith Canada
Editorial Board - the B’Nai Brith Tribune
Director - Little Lake Joseph Cottagers Association
Former Legal Chair and Board Member - Beth Tikvah Synagogue