Peter Reiss began his private law practice in 2005 and provides trusted legal counsel to individuals and private corporations, both owner-operated and mid-sized corporations, in the areas of corporate/commercial law and real estate. He brings a wealth of legal experience, having spent nearly 25 years as a Bay Street lawyer, first at a Toronto law firm and subsequently at two major Canadian chartered banks.

In his most recent role before returning to private practice, Peter, as a Senior Counsel, was responsible for the provision of legal support to one of the main line groups at the Bank of Montreal, namely, the small business and commercial banking division (including the independent business banking group, the automotive dealership finance group, the industry programs group, the Direct Bank for business (electronic banking and electronic lending) the equipment leasing subsidiary of the bank, and the aboriginal banking group) which, at one time, boasted nearly 500,000 small and mid-sized business customers.

Peter’s responsibilities included leading his team in providing legal, regulatory and risk management guidance and documentation support to the bank’s small business and commercial banking division. His role also encompassed support for the development and implementation of new products and services and negotiating, drafting and facilitating various joint ventures between the bank and other service providers such as Canada Post Corporation. Peter also served as an expert panel member on the bank’s Commercial Process Redesign Project which meticulously explored efficiency improvements and legal issues in a virtual banking (i.e. – Internet banking) environment.

Previously, Peter held the position of Legal Counsel with The Bank of Nova Scotia where he advised on and drafted loan documentation for construction and land acquisition financing transactions in Canada and the United States. Projects financed by the bank included office building construction, hotels, shopping centres and infrastructure for residential subdivisions. Peter’s Bay Street experience
included several years as an associate practicing in a Toronto law firm in the areas of real estate, mortgage financing and commercial leasing.

As the author of many legal articles, Peter has published several of them in publications such as Canadian Banker Magazine, Butterworths, Lancaster House and Jewel Publications.

Peter’s educational qualifications include a B.A. from the University of Toronto where he majored in Economics and was awarded a Gold Medal for proficiency in Economics jointly granted by U. of T.’s Faculty of Arts and Science and by St. Michael’s College. Peter earned his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in 1977 and was called to the Ontario bar in 1979.

Peter is a member of the Ontario Bar, the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. He is also a former member of the York Region Small Business Enterprise Centre Advisory Board and a former mentor for Student Entrepreneurship Programs at the Richmond Hill and York Region Small Business Enterprise Centres.